Spring 2027 Graduate Research Assistantship Opportunity – Full-Stack Web Development
Percent
Application Deadline
Type
Research AssistantshipPosition Start Date
Description, Responsibilities, and Qualifications
The Illinois Center for Transportation (ICT) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is seeking a graduate research assistant (RA) to support the development a web-based tool for life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) of asphalt pavements in Illinois.
The position will begin in Spring 2027, with potential extensions through Fall 2027 and Spring 2028, depending on project needs and performance. The selected student will work closely with a multidisciplinary research team to develop an interactive web application that integrates established engineering algorithms and models into a user-friendly decision-support tool. The tool will be specific to the state of Illinois and similar to the recently developed ICT I-PEACE LCA/LCCA tool for the US. The current tool may be accessed here: https://ict-lca-lcca.com/
Minimum Qualifications
- Current MS or PhD student in Computer Science at UIUC, with an expected graduation date in 2028 or later.
- Proficiency and experience in JavaScript, Python and SQL.
- Experience in both front-end (e.g., React) and back-end (e.g., FastAPI) web development.
- Familiarity with databases (e.g., AWS) and API development/integration.
- Experience developing interactive dashboards and data visualizations.
- Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaborative skills.
- A one-on-one meeting with the research team is required at least once a week at ICT (in Rantoul, IL).
Key Responsibilities
- Develop a comprehensive web application integrating multiple existing engineering algorithms and computational models.
- Design and implement an intuitive, interactive user interface with clear input/output workflows.
- Collaborate with graduate researchers to translate engineering research outcomes into functional software.
- Conduct software testing, debugging, and documentation to support the platform's development and future maintenance.
Compensation
Position Details
- Appointment: Funded Graduate Research Assistantship (RA) at 50%-time with tuition waiver.
- Start Date: Spring 2027 semester.
- Duration: Spring 2027, with potential extensions through Fall 2027 and Spring 2028.
- Time Commitment: 20 hours per week, including weekly one-on-one meetings.
- Project Completion Date: August 15, 2028.
Application Procedure
Interested applicants should email their CV highlighting relevant programming experience and previous software development projects to:
- Lama Abufares: lamaha2@illinois.edu
Subject line: ICT Graduate Research Assistantship Application
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a Zoom interview to discuss their technical experience, previous projects, and availability.
The position is expected to be filled before the beginning of the Spring 2027 semester.