Research Technician

at  Western University

CLASSIFICATION & REGULAR HOURS

Hours per Week: 35
Salary Grade: Level N
Please note, this is a wholly grant funded, temporary full time contract opportunity with an expected end date of September 1, 2025.

ABOUT US

The Culham Actions and Real-World Imaging (CulhamARI) Lab uses cognitive neuroscience approaches, particularly functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and behavioral methods, to investigate human behavior and brain function in real-world environments and compelling simulations such as 3D displays and virtual reality. Professor Culham is a member of the Psychology Department and her lab is situated in Western’s Centre for Brain and Mind.
The mission of the Centre for Brain and Mindis to provide a centralized and visible presence for cognitive neuroscience at Western University. The Institute’s primary functions are to promote research, to facilitate the training of highly qualified personnel, and to foster national and international collaborations in cognitive neuroscience.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• 4 year university Bachelor of Science degree (BSc) with a major in psychology, neuroscience, or a related field

Experience:

• 1 year experience working in a research-intensive laboratory environment
• Experience working in a cognitive neuroscience lab, particularly with fMRI, virtual reality (VR), and 3D vision is preferred
• Experience with data collection in a functional magnetic resonance imaging environment, including utmost diligence to ensure safety protocols are followed would be an asset
• Experience with reference management software (e.g. Mendeley and/or Zotero) preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Familiarity with methods for research design, implementation, and analysis of both fMRI and behavioral studies
• Familiarity and expertise with functional neuroimaging data analysis, ideally with BrainVoyager, fMRIPrep, TEDANA (TE-dependent analysis), and DeepMREye
• Familiarity with cognitive neuroscience and vision, ideally with a background in 3D vision (e.g. stereopsis and motion parallax) and high-level vision for perception (category recognition) and action (reaching and grasping) and experience with 3D and VR/AR display systems (3D projector, VR/AR head-mounted displays) and software (Unity) would be an asset
• Familiarity with psychology and neuroscience research methodologies and analyses. Experience with foundational statistics (general linear model in fMRI; analyses of variance, t tests and correlations in behavioral data) is preferred. Familiarity with JASP and/or Jamovi and/or R software analysis packages preferred
• Communication skills with an ability to complete detailed analytics and reports, as well as to collaborate with other lab members as needed
• Ability to communicate research outcomes through writing manuscripts and preparing posters in a clear and thoughtful manner
• Ability to apply critical thinking to evaluate information and make appropriate decisions or recommendations
• Attention to detail with an ability to retrieve, analyze and synthesize sizable amounts of data, while ensuring that information is accurate and comprehensive
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment, meet tight deadlines and adapt to changing priorities
• Excellent troubleshooting ability along with hands-on expertise in technical support
• Ability to identify alternative solutions when issues arise in analysis pipeline, and strong quality assurance skills to detect problems in analysis
• Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint), with the ability to learn and use other software programs (e.g. MATLAB and Python)
• Personable and courteous in working relationships with colleagues, students and the public
• Ability to identify key results from research and to summarize and draft reports on research findings
• Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve department goals
• Familiarity with ethics reporting, particularly through Western Research Ethics Management (WREM), and ability to maintain records of required lab member training
• Familiarity with University policies and procedures related to research preferred

The Research Technician will work under the direction of a principal investigator, and in collaboration with staff and students, to prepare and conduct functional neuroimaging and behavioral experiments, techniques, and/or trials, following set protocols and procedures in a research facility. The Research Technician will contribute to a CIHR grant on human neuroimaging of the role of 3D cues in high-level vision, provide training and oversight to undergraduate and graduate students, assist with maintenance and documentation of analysis pipelines, and organization of laboratory materials and documentation. The Research Technician will operate and support the application and troubleshooting of data analysis pipelines and instrumentation related to the research.