Research Specialist

at  University of WisconsinMadison

JOB SUMMARY:

This position will require the analysis of high-density EEG data acquired in epileptic patients undergoing clinical recordings as well as neurotypical subject in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit and at the Wisconsin Institute for Sleep and Consciousness, with a scientific focus on understanding sleep abnormalities in patients and mechanisms of sleep in neurotypical subjects. Specific responsibilities will include high density EEG, behavior and intracranial EEG data acquisition, programming for data preprocessing and analysis, and writing of manuscripts.
Duties will include acquisition of 256-electrode EEG data in neurotypical subjects and patients with neurological disorders, which require knowledge of systems of care as well as technical skills for EEG impedance check, signal monitoring online and electrical connection check as well as digitization. Duties will also include combination of transcranial magnetic stimulation with electroencephalography with high-density which is a highly specialized skill only practiced by a handful of research groups in the world. Advanced preprocessing methods include sleep scoring independent component analysis, filtering and bad channel/epoch rejection based on recognition of artifact vs physiological patterns, connectivity analysis and time-frequency analysis in both Python and Matlab programming languages. Primary purpose of the position is to fulfill requirement for NIH and privately funded grants which requires such advanced skills to be performed by highly trained personnel.

EDUCATION:

Required
Bachelor’s Degree in Neurobiology or closely related field is required by the start date.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of one year of experience in the analysis of high-density electroencephalography (EEG) sleep data in normal subjects and epileptic patients is required
• Minimum of one year of experience with programming (ideally in MATLAB) required
• Practical experience with clinical research in neurological patients is desirable
• Familiarity with theoretical frameworks of the function of sleep is highly desirable

Develops, designs, and conducts one or more research projects and organizes daily operation of projects and specialized research areas to ensure work meets established objectives under moderate supervision.

• 30% Conducts research experiments according to established research protocols with moderate impact to the project(s). Collects data and monitors test results
• 30% Operates, cleans, and maintains organization of research equipment and research area. Tracks inventory levels and places replenishment orders
• 10% Reviews, analyzes, and interprets data and/or documents results for presentations and/or reporting to internal and external audiences
• 10% Participates in the development, interpretation, and implementation of research methodology and materials
• 10% Provides operational guidance on day-to-day activities of unit or program staff and/or student workers
• 10% Performs literature reviews and writes reports