Junior Specialist - Neuroprosthetics Lab

The Jr. Specialist with a background in neurotechnology and medicine participates with a multidisciplinary team of physicians and scientists with the UC Davis Neuroprosthetics Lab. Our research develops and tests the safety of a brain-implantable neural interface system, BrainGate2. 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.

The Jr. Specialist is at the front lines of cutting-edge research, working on integrating our speech BCI software to standard consumer operating systems and software (e.g. clinical trial participants can use a brain-to-text attempted speech decoder to write emails and documents, send messages, and how the technology can apply to their day-to-day life). Other aspects of the project include: automating and streamlining various parts of the BCI process to enable at-home use without the research team present; quantifying performance and automatically detecting problems; and making the system robust to changing neural and environmental context. The Jr. Specialist participates in laboratory meetings, assists with experimental designs for novel BCI technology, contributes towards academic publications published in peer-reviewed journals, and attends relevant talks/meetings.

The neurotechnology software developer communicates with clinical trial participants and their caregivers, as well as the research team (including the UC Davis team and our collaborators at the other BrainGate sites), on a regular basis

I. RESEARCH (90% Effort)

A. Collaborate with other research personnel affiliated with research activities involving

software development, neurotechnology, and medicine.

B. Integrate our speech BCI software to standard consumer operating systems and software;

automating and streamlining various parts of the BCI process to enable at-home use without

the research team present.

C. Quantifying performance and automatically detecting problems; making the system robust

to changing neural and environmental context

D. Communicating with clinical trial participants and their caregivers, as well as the research

team (including the UC Davis team and our collaborators at the other BrainGate sites), on a

regular basis.

E. Collaborate as author on publications.

F. Scientific contributions to published research

G. Active dissemination of information (beyond the boundaries of the campus) through

published software and presentations.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE (5% Effort)

A. Participate in appropriate professional/technical societies or groups and other educational

and research organizations.

B. Review research proposals, journal manuscripts, and publications related to area of

expertise.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% Effort)

A. May maintain liaison and respond to the needs of various industry organizations, state and federal agencies, and other external groups on issues related to area of expertise.

B. Participate in activities of committees within the department, college, campus and other University entities, as appropriate

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

* Strong technical competency with computer and electronic equipment (e.g., using microphones, video cameras, etc.), computer software.

* 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.

* Strong organizational skills.

* 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, in-person and via teleconferences and/or videoconferences.

* Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree, but no specific degree is required. Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent is encouraged. Background in neurobiology and quantitative methods are encouraged, but are not required.

* Experience designing, implementing, and testing high-reliability software

* Willingness to travel up to 3 hours from Sacramento for data collection at a research participant's home. Transportation with other lab members is possible but a valid driver's license and access to a personal vehicle can simplify the travel.

• 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.
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• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

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