Research Associate

Carnegie Mellon University Africa (CMU‑Africa) is seeking motivated and experienced Research Associates to support a range of research initiatives at its campus in Kigali, Rwanda. These are fixed‑term, in‑person positions based at the CMU‑Africa campus in Kigali.

This role is suited to individuals who are passionate about research and eager to contribute to high-impact projects aligned with CMU Africa’s mission of driving digital transformation across Africa. As a Research Associate at CMU-Africa, you will play a critical role in advancing research that supports innovation, digital transformation, and academic excellence. Research Associates will support the planning, development, and execution of research projects, including contributions to experimental design, data collection and analysis, and the documentation and dissemination of research findings.

The Research Associate will actively contribute to research projects that address the opportunities and demands of Africa’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. Working closely with faculty members and interdisciplinary research teams, the Research Associate will gain hands-on experience and contribute meaningfully to impactful, real‑world research beyond the classroom. The research areas include but are not limited to:

• Cybersecurity;
• Energy Systems and Sustainable Mobility;
• Information and Communications Technology (ICT);
• Artificial Intelligence and Robotics;
• Software Engineering;
• Digital Accessibility;
• Societal Computing;
• Digital Healthcare.

You can read more about ongoing research here:

While specific responsibilities may vary by project, they will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conduct literature reviews, collect and analyze data, and assist in writing research papers.
• Write, test and debug code for various software projects, including developing new applications or improving existing ones.
• Assist in the design, assembly, and programming of robotic or other systems in the research project, including testing and troubleshooting.
• Implement and test machine learning models, which may involve data preprocessing, model training, and evaluation.
• Create and maintain documentation for projects, including user manuals, technical reports and research papers.
• Build and test prototypes for new technologies or systems.
• Analyze data from experiments or simulations, often using specialized software tools.
• Collaborate with other team members including Faculty, staff, graduate students and interns to achieve projects goals

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline such as Electrical & Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a closely related field
• Strong interest in supporting high‑quality research aligned with CMU Africa’s mission of driving digital transformation
• High level of analytical thinking, attention to detail, and commitment to professional integrity
• Demonstrated experience in academic or applied research, including the ability to contribute to research design, methodologies, and implementation
• Proficiency in relevant technical and analytical areas such as programming, data science, cybersecurity, machine learning, software engineering, or technology policy, depending on the research focus
• Experience using common research and instructional tools, including:
  • Programming and analysis tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, GitHub/GitLab)
  • Learning and collaboration platforms (e.g., Canvas LMS, MS Teams, Zoom)
• Experience with quantitative, qualitative, or mixed research methods, including data collection, analysis, and documentation
• Strong academic and technical writing skills, with familiarity with research reporting, academic publishing, and peer‑review processes
• Knowledge of research ethics and institutional review processes
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex technical or research concepts
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills, with the ability to manage multiple research tasks and meet deadlines
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students in a multidisciplinary research environment

This role offers an exciting opportunity for you to be part of a team that delivers high‑quality research that supports CMU Africa’s mission of driving digital transformation.

Submit a complete application that includes a cover letter and a curriculum vitae (CV). Candidates may also include any additional supporting materials they believe will strengthen their application.