Junior Specialist - Neuroprosthetics Lab

The Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of California, Davis invites applications for a qualified Junior Specialist in the area of clinical neurotechnology to develop and test the safety of a brain computer interface (BCI) in people living with neurological disabilities.

We are seeking a motivated and responsible individual with an interest in neurotechnology and medicine to join a multidisciplinary team of physicians and scientists with the UC Davis Neuroprosthetics Lab (https://neuroprosthetics.faculty.ucdavis.edu/). The goal of our research is to develop and test the safety of a brain-implantable neural interface system (BrainGate2; www.braingate.org). We are developing this BCI system to allow people with physical disabilities (e.g., unable to speak due to ALS or stroke) to speak simply by attempting to do so, by decoding their speech-related brain activity in real-time. Our work has recently made international headlines, being featured in mainstream news outlets like the New York Times, Scientific American, Reuters, NBC Universal, and NPR, among others.

The successful candidate will be at the front lines of cutting-edge research, working with clinical trial participants in their homes, and performing duties in concordance with FDA regulations and the investigational plan. In addition to collecting the data, the Clinical Neurotechnology Research Assistant (CNRA) will work closely with the UC Davis Neuroprosthetics Lab to develop the next generation of brain computer interface technology.

Candidates will be invited to participate in laboratory meetings, assist with experimental designs for novel BCI technology, contribute towards academic publications published in peer-reviewed journals, and attend relevant talks/meetings. The CNRA position will be communicating with clinical trial participants and their caregivers, as well as research staff on a regular basis. As such, strong interpersonal skills are essential. The successful candidate will also champion the safety and well-being of the participants and adherence to proper study conduct and participate in clinical-trial related data collection.

The CNRA will travel to the home of the participants and coordinate the research session plan, including operating the BCI system and collecting data under the guidance/instruction of the researchers. Formal training in computer science and programming is not required; however, the successful candidate will have technical competency with using modern computer equipment (e.g. microphones, video cameras, etc.) software and operating systems (e.g. Windows, Mac OSx, Linux, etc.) and will be able to work with professional researchers and programmers to learn to use specialized software systems. The CNRA's detailed notes about each research session, and their feedback and insights from the field, are immensely helpful for improving the performance and user experience of the neuroprosthesis.

Research - 90%

The Junior Specialist will be an integral member of the UC Davis Neuroprosthetics Lab, contributing to groundbreaking research aimed at restoring communication for individuals with profound physical disabilities. Their work will support the development and safety testing of the BrainGate2 brain-computer interface (BCI), a neural implant system that decodes speech-related brain activity in real-time.

Roles and Responsibilities:

* Study Implementation & FDA Compliance: Assist in the coordination and execution of FDA-regulated clinical trial activities, including documentation, data management, and adherence to the investigational plan. This includes working directly with clinical trial participants in home settings.

* Data Collection and Analysis: Collect high-fidelity neural and behavioral data during BCI recording sessions, including EEG, audio, video, and other biosignals. Contribute to data quality assurance and assist in preprocessing and annotation.

* Experiment Design & Iteration: Collaborate with the PI and engineering team in refining data collection protocols and proposing enhancements to experimental designs based on observations and results.

* Creativity and Intellectual Engagement: Engage creatively with both the clinical and technical aspects of the study. Offer insight into ways to improve BCI algorithms and participant usability. Participate in lab meetings to interpret data, troubleshoot challenges, and iterate on research approaches.

* Manuscript Contributions: Assist in writing methods sections, preparing data visualizations, and reviewing drafts for conference abstracts and journal manuscripts. Co-author manuscripts when appropriate and contribute to revisions and responses to peer reviewers.

* Literature Reviews: Conduct targeted reviews of scientific literature related to neural decoding, speech production, brain-computer interfaces, and clinical neuroscience to support grant applications, protocol development, and manuscript writing.

* Presentation of Results: Present findings during internal lab meetings and multidisciplinary team discussions. The CNRA may co-author and present posters or oral presentations at scientific meetings and academic symposia.

* Research facilitation: Participating in other scientific data collection activities, both in- and outside of a hospital setting, including overseeing logistics and information dissemination.

Professional Competence - 5%

* Conference Participation: The incumbent will have the opportunity to attend and potentially present at relevant conferences.

* Engagement in Scientific Community: Participation in professional societies and engagement with BCI and neuroengineering networks is encouraged to support ongoing professional development.

University and Public Service - 5%

* Training and Mentorship: Assist in the training and mentorship of undergraduate interns, new lab personnel, and volunteers. This includes instruction in experimental procedures, data acquisition protocols, and ethical research conduct.

* Outreach and Communication: Support lab-led outreach efforts, such as public presentations or media interviews that raise awareness about BCI research and its implications for disability and communication.

* Service to the Research Environment: Participate actively in lab and department meetings, journal clubs, and cross-lab collaborations to contribute to a collegial, inclusive, and innovative research culture.

* Bachelor's degree in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, Neuroscience, Psychology, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. Strong background in neurobiology and quantitative methods are encouraged, but are not required.

* Ability to travel up to 3 hours from Sacramento between 1-4 times per week for data collection at a research participant's home. A valid driver's license and access to a personal vehicle are necessary (mileage will be reimbursed).

* Outstanding communication (both verbal and written) and interpersonal skills

* Technical competency with computer equipment (e.g. using microphones, video cameras, etc.), computer software, and being able to use custom-made software with appropriate training

* Ability to work independently, take initiative, critical problem-solving, prioritize tasks, and enthusiasm

* Ability to thrive in a collaborative program and comfort navigating a clinical environment.

* Ability to coordinate activities with colleagues at multiple clinical trial sites.

* Superb organizational skills and attention to puncutality

* Excellent attention to detail and ability to document research activities.

* Attention to data and respecting confidentiality where appropriate

* Ease interacting with and taking direction from multiple levels including physicians, scientists, and engineers via teleconferences and/or videoconferences.

* Experience with patients in a formal clinical setting, or caring for people living with paralysis in a care-taking role.

* Programming experience (Matlab, R, python).

* Electrophysiology research experience.

* Previous photography/videography experience (for documenting research sessions).

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

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The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state for federal law.

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