Research Technologist
 Massachusetts General Hospital | |
 United States, Massachusetts, Boston | |
| 149 13th Street (Show on map) | |
 Jan 24, 2025 | |
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GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT: Research Assistant position in brain stimulation and imaging at MGH Martinos Center, Boston, MA We are seeking a full-time Research Technologist / Research Assistant at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) / Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The Research Technologist will mainly assist in recording and analyzing animal preparation and human brain data. The animal work involves transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) while recording the responses from in vitro tissue preparations. The work in humans includes magneto-and electroencephalography (MEG/EEG) and MRI-guided TMS. Other types of recordings may include MRI, fMRI, diffusion MRI tractography, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and behavioral recordings. In addition, the Tech is responsible for recruiting and scheduling participants and managing instruments, obtaining consents, maintaining files, data management, data cleaning and some analysis, as well as generating correspondence, reports, and graphics. This requires training and experience, a detail-oriented personality, learning to use complex devices, and excellent organizing skills. You will be working as an integral member of an experienced team, reporting directly to the project leadership at MGH. The position will give cutting-edge expertise in multimodal brain stimulation and imaging. PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The responsibilities vary according to projects, including but not necessarily limited to the following: 1. IACUC/IRB and Clinical Trials documentation - Assist in obtaining informed consent from human participants. We mainly study healthy adults, but some projects may include neurological and psychiatric patient populations. - Assist in preparing and submitting IACUC and IRB documentation as needed - Assist in managing Clinical Trials documentation 2. Assist in Data Collection (training will be provided) *Schedule data collection with the study teamm as appropriate * Assist in recording sessions on-site, including: - Maintaining an inventory and order new laboratory supplies as needed - Preparing the MEG, EEG, TMS, tDCS, and MRI instruments for recordings - Animal preparations (crayfish, turtle) - Preparing the human subjects for recordings - Human safety screenings for MEG, EEG, TMS, tDCS, and MRI recordings - EEG electrode locations using 3D digitizer/navigator devices - Recording high-quality electrophysiological and MEG/EEG/TMS/tDCS data using our equipment - Recording MRI, DTI, and/or fMRI data - Recording TMS coil locations using navigator devices - Managing stimulus presentation (visual, auditory, somatosensory) and behavioral response devices and software (Presentation) - Identifying and correcting on-line for TMS/tDCS and other artifacts in electrophysiological/MEG/EEG/EMG/ECG recordings - Monitoring participants during and after TMS/tDCS/MEG/EEG/MRI - Cleaning the laboratory space and equipment, including EEG electrodes after each recording - Helping subjects wash their hair after each EEG recording to remove EEG paste - Conducting interviews using a variety of structured and non-structured questionnaires 3. Assist in Data Management and Analysis (training will be provided) * Storing, organizing, cleaning, and analyzing the collected data as needed * Conducting evoked and oscillatory domain MEG/EEG data analyses * Conducting source analysis of MEG/EEG data using existing and developmental software * Conducting TMS/tDCS electric field analyses using existing and developmental software * Generating reports and logs detailing data collected * Conduct literature searches, distributing articles as appropriate * Maintaining an inventory of data collection forms to ensure ease of data retrieval * Participating in technological (data analysis software, hardware) development if needed 4. Assist in Dissemination, Support Scholarly Activities - Participate in preparing and publishing manuscripts in scientific journals - Give talks and other scientific presentations if needed - Attend scientific conferences if required - Attend internal meetings; take minutes as assigned - Assist in grant preparation if required - Assist in preparing data tables, graphs, and charts for presentations and manuscripts 5. Perform other duties that may be assigned in the best interest of the Martinos Center TMS Core SKILLS & COMPETENCIES REQUIRED: Requirements: - College degree (BS, BA, MS, MA) in Neuroscience, Psychology, Cognitive Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, or related fields. - Courses, knowledge, and hands-on experience with human EEG recordings (1+ year of prior experience with recording EEG is preferred). EEG Technologist certification is not required. - Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required after starting the position (offered at MGH). - Excellent communication (verbal and written English) skills. - Analytical ability is required to prepare reports, maintain data inventory, develop graphs, and identify concerns/responses of participants that require possible intervention. - Strong interpersonal skills are needed to interact effectively with participants/family members, physicians, supervisors, post-docs, research assistants, and students for various research projects. - Flexibility to coordinate scheduling with other staff is needed. - Ability to exercise independent judgment in assigned areas of responsibility. Optional (competencies): - Courses in neuroscience, signal analysis, mathematics, statistics, computational modeling, physics, and/or experimental psychology are useful. - Familiarity with matlab, python, and linux (CentOS, csh) is useful for data recording and analysis. - Experience with stimulus presentation and behavioral response devices and software (e.g., Presentation) is helpful. - Experience with research neuroimaging software packages (e.g., FreeSurfer, FSL, SPM, MNE, FieldTrip, Brainstorm) is useful.
EDUCATION: Required: Bachelor's Degree Preferred: Master's Degree EXPERIENCE: Required: Must be responsible, self-motivated, detail-oriented, resourceful, organized, a team player, and have excellent communication (verbal and written English) and interpersonal skills. Prior hands-one expertise with animal and/or human subject preparation, recordings, and analysis is required. Optional: Prior experience with neuroimaging software (FreeSurfer, FSL/SPM, MNE, MNE-python, FieldTrip, and/or BrainStorm) is useful. WORKING CONDITIONS: 1. Normal office/research laboratory environment with little or no exposure to dust or extreme temperatures. 2. Includes frequent exposure to strong magnetic fields. Conditions that prohibit working in high magnetic fields are not compatible with this position. 3. Animal preparations (crayfish, turtle) and recordings require fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. This requires normal physical ability and can be physically demanding at times. 4. Placing and tracking multiple TMS coils accurately with a TMS navigator system requires fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. This requires normal physical ability and can be physically demanding at times. 5. Normal (corrected) vision and hearing is required to operate the instruments. 6. During recordings, you may be required to wear hearing protection (ear plugs). 7. Due to subject and instrument availability, the recordings may require flexible hours (mornings, evenings) during weekdays. Work during weekends is possible. There is no on-call duty during off-hours. Additional Job Description The General Hospital Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. | |