The University of Minnesota is hiring a research engineer to support ongoing scientific activities in the Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences (SLHS; https://cla.umn.edu/slhs) (at 25% time), the Center for Applied Translational Sensory Science (CATSS; http://catss.umn.edu/) (at 25% time), and Dr. Melissa Polonenko’s auditory-visual perception & electrophysiology lab in SLHS (at 50% time). The Research Engineer will have opportunities to interact with a wide range of investigators who focus on sensory perception (a full list of CATSS affiliates is here: https://catss.umn.edu/people).
For this position, it is extremely desirable to have awareness of the needs of individuals across the lifespan and/or who have impaired hearing, vision, or speech. The position is housed on the flagship campus of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN. CATSS and the SLHS department have a collegial and supportive atmosphere, with strong relationships with auditory and vision scientists at the department of Psychology.
The research engineer will have a wide range of duties described below:
About the job:
60% Software and Equipment Operations Support
• Operations of audio-visual equipment, audiological, and multi-channel EEG /evoked potentials equipment for perception experiments
• Design and production of software for data collection and analysis in various programming environments and languages (e.g. interfaces for collecting behavioral responses, presentation of visual and auditory stimuli, managing EEG signals, sending trigger messages to EEG and eye trackers, etc.)
• Training of data collection personnel when required; provide solutions to problems encountered in data collection and evaluation.
• Support faculty and graduate students with evaluation, purchase, integration, and installation and calibration of computer software, computer equipment, and, especially, specialized laboratory equipment.
• Troubleshoots and modifies equipment when necessary, including EEG, eye tracker, audio equipment, computers, microphones, etc.
• Develops other compliance policies and procedures for lab equipment and experiments, including manuals, software tutorials, version control procedures, IRB protocols, etc., for success of the lab
• Oversee decisions about budgeting time & resources for research equipment
• Be the specific point of contact for vendors and manufacturers of necessary lab equipment
40% Research Support
• Running EEG experimental protocols, including cap setup
• Developing experimental protocols, including behavioral testing, EEG, eye tracking and pupillometry
• Scientific computing (programming, debugging, code optimization) in different platforms (e.g. Python, R, Matlab, E-Prime), including keeping informed about updates in software used by the research community
• Conducting statistical analyses, including generalized linear models, mixed-effects models, time-series analysis, deconvolution, and power analysis, with experience preferably in R, Python and SPSS
• Facilitates investigators' work through collaboration and by serving as a resource and liaison between labs
• Research and selection of potential new testing materials for auditory, visual and cognitive function
Required Qualifications:
Advanced degree in psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, hearing science, speech science, engineering, computer science or related field
1 or more years research training
Preferred Qualifications:
Doctoral/advanced degree in psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, hearing science, speech science, engineering, computer science or related field
The SLHS department offers internationally recognized programs in speech-language hearing sciences (BA, Ph.D.), speech-language pathology (M.A.), and audiology (Au.D.) that provide outstanding opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to pursue academic, educational, and clinical careers. The department hosts a Bilingual/Multicultural Emphasis Certificate Program for graduate students in speech-language pathology and audiology. Faculty research and teaching are strongly supported at the unit and collegiate levels. Interdisciplinary collaborations abound across the university. Many faculty collaborate with university-wide centers, including the Center for Cognitive Sciences, the Center for Applied and Translational Sensory Sciences, and the Center for Clinical Movement Disorders. The department also has ongoing collegial relationships with the departments of Psychology, Otolaryngology, and with the College of Education and Human Development. The department is also strongly committed to community engagement and advancing an understanding of cultural and individual diversity in society (e.g., diversity related to age, ability/disability, ethnicity, gender identity, gender _expression_, race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status). For further information about the department, please visit the department website, http://slhs.umn.edu/
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please visit this page:
https://hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/338927
click the Apply button and follow the instructions. The job opening ID for this position is 338927. The position will remain open until filled.
You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume. All attachments must be submitted as PDF files. Applications without a cover letter and resume will not be considered.
Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Activities" page and uploading documents there.
To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@xxxxxxx or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).
For questions about this position, please contact Matthew Winn (mwinn@xxxxxxx)
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