Electrical Engineer

Aerosolization Device and Circuit Development

Position Summary

The Byrne Laboratory at the University of Iowa is seeking a highly motivated Electrical Engineer to support the development of next-generation aerosolization and drug delivery systems. This position focuses on the design, prototyping, integration, and testing of electronic circuits and electromechanical systems for advanced aerosolization platforms intended for biomedical and translational applications.

The ideal candidate will be an undergraduate student in Electrical Engineering or a related field and possess hands-on experience with embedded systems, power electronics, sensors, and rapid hardware prototyping. Experience in medical devices, aerosol generation systems, microcontrollers, or regulated biomedical technologies is strongly preferred.

This role will involve close collaboration with biomedical engineers, physicians, materials scientists, and translational researchers to advance novel therapeutic delivery technologies from benchtop concepts toward preclinical and clinical implementation.

Responsibilities

• Design, prototype, and optimize electrical systems and control circuitry for aerosolization and therapeutic delivery devices
• Develop embedded hardware architectures for fluidic, thermal, pneumatic, and aerosol-generating systems
• Integrate sensors, actuators, pumps, valves, heating elements, and wireless communication modules into device platforms
• Design printed circuit boards (PCBs) and oversee fabrication, assembly, and debugging
• Develop firmware and control algorithms for embedded systems and device automation
• Perform electrical characterization, troubleshooting, validation, and reliability testing of prototypes
• Support development of benchtop test systems for aerosol particle generation, delivery efficiency, and device performance characterization
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on system integration, manufacturability, and translational development
• Maintain detailed engineering documentation, schematics, and design records
• Assist with preparation of technical reports, regulatory documentation, manuscripts, presentations, and grant applications
• Contribute to intellectual property development and technology translation efforts

Required Qualifications

• Student seeking degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related engineering discipline
• Strong experience with analog and digital circuit design
• Ability to independently prototype, troubleshoot, and iterate hardware systems
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with aerosolization technologies, nebulizers, atomizers, inhalation systems, or microfluidic devices
• Experience with motor control systems, pneumatic systems, or power management electronics
• Familiarity with medical device development workflows and regulatory considerations
• Experience with wireless communication protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, BLE)
• Experience with battery-powered or portable medical systems
• Familiarity with sensors for flow, pressure, temperature, humidity, or particle characterization
• Prior experience in biomedical engineering, translational research, or startup environments

Research Environment

The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative translational engineering laboratory focused on the development of novel biomaterials, therapeutic delivery systems, and medical devices for cancer therapy and other biomedical applications. The laboratory integrates engineering innovation with clinical translation and works closely with multidisciplinary collaborators across engineering, medicine, and industry.

Compensation and Appointment

• Full-time(40 hours per week) during summer, part-time(20 hours per week) during school year
• Hourly Wage: $13 - $14
• Opportunities for publication, intellectual property development, and translational commercialization