Description
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
Qualifications
- 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
- roficiency 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
Application Instructions
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.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Carnegie Mellon University is an equal opportunity employer.
It does not discriminate in admission, employment, or
administration of its programs or activities on the basis of race,
color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation,
gender identity, pregnancy or related condition, family status,
marital status, parental status, religion, ancestry, veteran
status, or genetic information. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon
University does not discriminate and is required not to
discriminate in violation of federal, state, or local laws or
executive orders.