American University of Beirut

​​​​Facilities Operations and Sustainability Engineer

Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (MSFEA)
American University of Beirut​​​​​

Overview​

Manages the facilities of the Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (SFEA). Manages a team of facilities operators to ensure that all teaching and research spaces are in good condition at all times. Develops and implements a quality assurance process and customer service hotline. Troubleshoots HVAC, UPS, AV, and safety systems and follows work orders with Physical Plant Department. Develops, implements, and maintains an environmental sustainability plan for SFEA operations, prioritizing energy, water, and waste reduction. Conducts correspondence related to these functions. Reports to the Assistant to the Dean for Operations. Coordinates with PPD the maintenance of SFEA assets that are under the custody of physical plant.​

​Key Responsibilities

• Oversees the facilities team at SFEA and organizes their work and continued development.
• Develops, implements, and maintains an environmental sustainability plan for SFEA to reduce energy and water consumption, and waste, both for existing facilities and new ones at the planning stages.
• Closely coordinates with the SFEA architect on physical space improvements.
• Directs preparation of facilities for SFEA events and activities.
• Insures that all safety standards and policies are applied as per the university standards.
• Directly overseas all construction and renovation activities of SFEA in coordination with the relevant entities on campus.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates operation and maintenance programs for buildings and surrounding areas, as well as related technology such as HVAC, AV, access control, building management systems, and CCTV.
• Maintains an inventory of all laboratories and offices in SFEA.
• Sets priorities for planned maintenance projects, and prepares budgets accordingly.
• Evaluates immediate and long-range physical space and equipment needs and requirements in light of evolving academic programs.
• Provides maintenance advocacy at all levels of design and new construction of SFEA facilities.
• Prepares project approval requests.
• Analyzes routine and preventive maintenance programs and results to identify trends, problems, and service effectiveness.
• Conducts performance appraisals of facilities team, and provides on-the-job training and orientation. Where appropriate, recommends upgrading to higher job classifications.
• Coordinates with PPD the maintenance of SFEA assets that are under the custody of physical plant.
• Work Contacts: ​Regular contact with personnel at all levels to advise on technical matters. Frequent contact with suppliers and contractors.
• Independence of Operation: Reports to the Assistant to the Dean for Operations. Works according to established policies and procedures and professional standards. Completed work may be checked from time to time.
• Supervisory Responsibility: Gives work direction to a team of facilities operators; provides annual performance reviews for the team members.
• Physical Effort: Minimal
• Work Conditions: Clean and pleasant​
• Performs other related duties as needed.​

​Qualifications

• BE in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in a related role.
• Management experience in the maintenance field is preferred.
• Experience in building controls, HVAC systems, and electrical installations.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels, to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and to manage a professional staff.
• Ability to apply computer and technical analytic skills to complex problems and wide array of data.
• Self-motivated and a self-learner.
• Good command of English and Arabic.​

Application procedure

To apply, interested candidates must send an email to Mohamad Khaled Joujou​ at kjoujou@aub.edu.lb​ with subject title: Facilities Operations and Sustainability Engineer​ - application.

Research Assistant/Scientist – Smoking and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (MSFEA)
American University of Beirut​​​​​

Overview​

The Sleep and Upper Airway Research Group (SUARG) at MSFEA, lead by Dr. Jason Amatoury, is looking to hire a highly motivated and talented individual to join their dynamic research team. The successful candidate will contribute to an exciting project investigating the relationship between smoking habits and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), both highly prevalent in Lebanon.

SUARG is focused on research into sleep, OSA, upper airway physiology and mechanics. We aim to advance understanding of sleep disorders and develop cutting-edge solutions to treat them and improve sleep health worldwide. Our interdisciplinary team brings together expertise in sleep medicine, engineering, physiology, biomechanics, orthodontics, neuroscience, and data science to push the boundaries of research and technology. Visit the SUARG webpage to find out more about our work.

This position can be Part-Time or Full-Time, for up to 1 year (with potential for extension to 2 years or more).​

Key Responsibilities

• Recruit participants and administer questionnaires in the AUBMC sleep lab. This will involve nighttime work between approximately 9 and 11pm (this will be the primary role​ if applying part-time).
• Manage the research project, ensuring proper data collection and storage.
• Analyze and interpret research data
• (For applicable candidates, e.g. engineering, be involved in sleep signal data processing and analysis)
• Train and supervise research students involved in the project.
• Publish research findings in high-impact journals.​
  
  

Qualifications

• Graduate or undergraduate degree in a relevant field, such as biomedical and health sciences, medicine, biomedical engineering, or an equivalent discipline.
• A senior AUB/AUBMC student who is available to undertake late evening work will also be considered.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with the capacity to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated skills and experience in research and research management is ideal.
• Prior experience in participant recruitment and administering questionnaires is highly desirable.
• Experience with sleep research and familiarity with sleep data (e.g., polysomnography) is an asset.​
  
  

Application procedure 

Interested candidates should submit (1) a detailed cover letter addressing position criteria (including preferred type of employment: full-time/part-time), (2) a detailed CV (including contact information for three referees), and (3) latest academic transcripts to Dr. Jason Amatoury on jason.amatoury@aub.e​du.lb  with the subject line "Smoking and OSA Job Application". Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled up until May 4, 2025.​

​​​​​​​Research Assistant – AI-Driven Arabic Music Analysis

Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (MSFEA)
American University of Beirut​

Dr. Joseph Bakarji (jb50@aub.edu.lb) and Dr. Dany Abou Jaoude (da10​7@aub.edu.lb) have an open Research Assistant (RA) position at the intersection of music and artificial intelligence.

In this position, the RA will conduct research to unravel the intricacies of Arabic music using modern AI and ML tools.

Target applicants are Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, Computer Engineers, and Applied Mathematicians and Computer Scientists with background in data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and signal processing. Knowledge of music theory is a plus; but not formally required.

Interested applicants should email both professors using the title: AI for Arabic Music RA Application. The email should contain: CV, a transcript, a copy of degree from accredited institution, and an iinterest paragraph

Applications are accepted until the position is filled.​

​​​Postdoctoral Researcher – Control and Optimization Lab (CoOL)

Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (MSFEA)
American University of Beirut

Overview

The Control and Optimization Lab (CoOL) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) invites applications to a 2 years' postdoc co-funded by the Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (MSFEA) and the Center for Advanced Mathematical Sciences (CAMS) at AUB. The CAMS-MSFEA postdoctoral position is for 24 months with an immediate start date, with the possibility of extension to a third year contingent on satisfactory performance.  The position deals with the analysis, design, and model reduction of networked dynamical systems. Interested applicants are encouraged to go through the research profile of Dr. Dany Abou Jaoude prior to applying.

Successful applicants must hold a PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field, from a reputable and accredited international university, with a specialization in dynamics and control systems. The position targets international applicants, namely, applicants who have never studied or worked in Lebanon before.

The selected postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity to engage in proposal writing activities as well as mentoring and supervision of PhD and masters' students. The postdoctoral fellow will extensively engage with CAMS stakeholders and is expected to contribute actively to life at CAMS: activities, seminars, etc.

Qualifications and skills​

• Have an established track record in writing and publishing scientific papers in leading control conferences and journal venues
• Have completed extensive graduate level coursework in the fields of dynamics, control, and optimization
• Be fluent in MATLAB and its control and optimization toolboxes
• Research in the areas of networked dynamical systems, model reduction, and robust control
• Advanced level coursework in nonlinear systems theory, convex optimization, and robust and optimal control
  
  

Application procedure

To apply, interested candidates must send an email to Prof. Dany Abou Jaoude at da107@aub.edu.lb with subject title: MSFEA-CAMS-postdoc-application. The application should contain:

• An updated CV
• A list of references (or letters of recommendation if available)
• A research statement
• A cover letter (interest paragraph)
• Academic transcripts from the various attended universities
• A copy of attained degrees

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

PhD in the Biomimetics Engineering Lab (BEL) - Biomedical Engineering Program

Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (MSFEA)
American University of Beirut

Overview

The Biomimetics Engineering Lab is seeking highly motivated candidates for PhD degrees in the areas of Tissue Engineering, Biomaterials and Drug Delivery. If you want to join a dynamic team of passionate researchers and find the topics investigated by the Biomimetics Engineering Laboratory attractive to you, contact Dr. Rami Mhanna.​

Qualifications

MS in Physics, Biophysics, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering or other relevant fields.  Candidates should have an interest in biology and experience in one or more of the following areas: cell culture techniques and cell assessment tools, lab-on-a-chip, atomic force microscopy, biomaterials, nano/micro fabrication.

Main Duties

• Work on a single cell manipulation device  
• Write scientific documents including research papers, reports and patents
• Assist in management of the lab equipment
• Collaborate with lab members and other AUB researchers
• Participate in lab meetings and communicate results on a monthly basis with lab members
  
  

Skills

• Academic writing and presentation skills
• Ability to work in a team with interdisciplinary interests​
  

​Eligibility

• The applicant never studied or worked in Lebanon, and
• Hold a PhD from an internationally recognized university
  

Duration

Up to 5 years ​​

Application procedure

Candidates are requested to send their CV and academic transcripts to Dr. Rami Mhanna at rm136@aub.edu.lb

Postdoc in the Biomimetics Engineering Lab (BEL) - Biomedical Engineering Program 

Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (MSFEA)
American University of Beirut

Qualifications

PhD in Physics, Biophysics, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering or other relevant fields.  Candidates should have an interest in biology and experience in one or more of the following areas: cell culture techniques and cell assessment tools, lab-on-a-chip, atomic force microscopy, biomaterials, nano/micro fabrication. Candidates for the Postdoc position must have cell culture experience and demonstrated writing skills (a minimum of 1 first author publication.

Main duties

• Create lab-on-chip devices
• Characterize and analyze the developed devices
• Work on a single cell manipulation device  
• Write scientific documents including research papers, reports and patents
• Assist in management of the lab equipment
• Collaborate with lab members and other AUB researchers
• Participate in lab meetings and communicate results on a monthly basis with lab members
• In addition to the above, candidates for the post doc position will be required to supervise PhD and MSc students
• Write proposals for grants
• Identify collaborations within and outside AUB
  
  

Skills

• Micro fabrication
• Academic writing and presentation skills
• Ability to work in a team with interdisciplinary interests
  
  

Eligibility

• The applicant never studied or worked in Lebanon, and
• Hold a PhD from an internationally recognized university
• A background in Physics, Biology or Mechanical Engineering
  
  

Duration

12 months with possibility for extension
​ 

Application procedure

Candidates are requested to send their CV and cover letter in one document to Dr. Rami Mhanna at rm136@aub.edu.lb​​