The primary role of the research specialist will be to assist graduate students and post-doctoral researchers within the Neuroscience of Attention & Perception Laboratory (NAPL) on non-human primate (NHP) studies investigating neural mechanisms of cognition. The research specialist will work alongside fellow lab members to implement a variety of research modalities, including the monitoring of behavior, electrophysiological recordings, micro-stimulation, pharmacological manipulations, optogenetics, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
The position involves regular interaction with laboratory research animals and requires the candidate become trained on assisting in the management of the NHP colony (in close collaboration with veterinary staff and the lab's NHP manager). Along with experimentation, the candidate will assist other members in the planning and implementation of surgical procedures, learning relevant techniques and skill sets that complement the research goals of the lab.
The position is tailored for a researcher preparing for graduate-level neuroscience research, or post-secondary research experience that builds upon the recent completion of a master's level program in fields such as psychology, neuroscience, or a related field of study.
An ideal applicant will have excellent references from their prior superiors, highlighting the candidate's organizational skills, presentation skills, and ability to perform research-related tasks, ranging from experimental design to adherence with institutional compliance standards.
This is a 1-yr term position with the anticipation of extension contingent upon satisfactory performance and funding.
Research Planning & Implementation
- Assisting graduate students & post-docs w/ experimental design & implementation (behavior, eye-tracking, electrophysiology, fMRI)
- Data analysis and visualization
- Operant conditioning w/ animal models (NHP)
- Assisting w/ surgical procedures
- Task piloting (behavioral, eye-tracking, fMRI)
- Developing novel solutions to experiment-related challenges
- Contributing new research ideas aligning with the objectives of the lab
Lab-related Operations
- Ensuring parts and materials orders are fulfilled
- External communications with vendors and service providers
- Cleaning and sanitization of testing rooms and lab benches
- Updating lab website (Drupal 9 sytem)
- Ensuring lab environment and procedures align with compliance standards
Logistical & Organizational Planning
- Scheduling recurrent meetings
- Managing lab-related communications using Listserv
- Planning agendas/itineraries for visitors/guests
PI Special Assignments
- Form completions
- Assisting with academic journal submissions
- Assisting with grant application submissions
Essential Qualifications:
-Master's degree or equivalent in psychology, neuroscience, biology, computer science, or related field
-Successful completion of MRI safety screening
-Successful completion of laboratory animal training
-Willingness to work as part of a team
-Basic computer skills (MS Office, Google Docs/Sheets/Slides, etc.)
Highly Preferred Qualifications:
-MATLAB/Python/Presentation programming experience relating to task design, data sorting, analysis, and visualization
-Prior human subjects research experience (behavioral, EEG, MRI)
-Prior lab-animal research experience (operant conditioning, surgery assistant, etc.)
-Prior experience with administrative duties, managing supply inventories, and networking interactions
This position is subject to the University's background check policy
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