Research Technician

The Research Technician will mainly record human electroencephalography (EEG) and MRI-navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) data. Other types of recordings may include MRI, fMRI, diffusion MRI tractography, MEG, 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 Martinos Center TMS Core leadership. The position will give world-class experience in multimodal human brain stimulation and imaging.

This would be an ideal opportunity for someone bound for graduate school in fields related to neuroscience, or for a candidate preparing for a laboratory staff position.

1. Subject Recruitment, IRB

• Participate in IRB submissions and revisions.
• Assist in maintaining IRB records.
• Identify potential participants. We mainly study healthy adults, but some projects may include neurological and psychiatric patient populations.
• Explain study to participants and family members, obtain informed consent.
• Schedule participants, laboratory space, and staff for data recording visits.

1. Assist in Data Recording (principal responsibility, training will be provided)

• Maintain an inventory and order new laboratory supplies as needed.
• Prepare the TMS and EEG devices and laboratory space for each recording.
• Conduct safety screenings for EEG, TMS, and MRI recordings.
• Prepare subjects for EEG, TMS, and MRI recordings, including explaining tasks
• Record EEG electrode locations using 3D digitizer/navigator devices as needed
• Record high-quality EEG and TMS data using our equipment
• Record TMS coil locations using navigator devices
• Assist in recording MRI data
• Manage stimulus presentation (visual, auditory, somatosensory) and behavioral response devices and software (Presentation)
• Identify and correct for artifacts in EEG/EMG/ECG recordings
• Monitor participants during and after TMS/EEG for possible adverse reactions
• Clean the laboratory space and equipment, including EEG electrodes after each recording
• Help subjects wash their hair after each EEG recording to remove EEG paste
• Conduct on- and off-site interviews using a variety of structured and non-structured questionnaires

1. Assist in Data Management and Analysis (training will be provided)

• Assist in storing, organizing, and cleaning the collected data as needed
• Assist in conducting evoked and oscillatory domain EEG data analyses using existing software
• Assist in conducting source analysis of EEG data using existing software
• Generate reports detailing data collected
• Conduct literature searches, distribute articles as appropriate
• Maintain an inventory of data collection forms to ensure ease of data retrieval
• Participate in technological (data analysis software, hardware) development if needed

1. 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

1. Perform other duties that may be assigned in the best interest of Martinos Center TMS Core

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:

• Bachelor's degree required.

EXPERIENCE:

• New graduates with some lab experience (via course work, internships, etc.) or those without any prior research experience will be considered for the Research Technician I position outlined above.
• Those with a minimum of 1 year of directly related work experience will be considered for a Research Technician II position.

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. 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.
4. Normal (corrected) vision and hearing is required to operate the instruments.
5. During recordings, you may be required to wear hearing protection (ear plugs).
6. 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.

Massachusetts General Hospital is an Affirmative Action 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.