Laboratory Technician

About the Opportunity

SUMMARY

The Subjectivity Lab directed by Jorge Morales and housed in the Department of Psychology at Northeastern University is excited to invite applications for a full-time Lab Technician to work on-site in Boston Massachusetts. The candidate will perform research as part of a project on visual perception and mental imagery. This research uses neuroimaging (fMRI) psychophysics (in person and online) computational modeling and machine learning to arbitrate among competing hypotheses about the neural mechanisms of conscious awareness.

The lab investigates how we see how we imagine and how we become consciously aware of what we see and imagine. Our research in vision science mental imagery consciousness metacognition and introspection uses a variety of tools to ask about neural and behavioral mechanisms including creative behavioral paradigms computational models artificial intelligence philosophy and non-invasive brain imaging conducted on campus at NUBIC a state-of-the-art imaging center with a research dedicated Siemens MAGNETOM Prisma 3T MRI scanner main project the Lab Technician position is for is an adversarial collaboration to empirically evaluate different higher-order theories of consciousness. You can read more about this project following these links:

This is an exciting international scientific collaboration with teams across 14 universities 5 countries and 3 continents with their expertise spanning neuroscience psychology and philosophy.

The Lab Technician will work under the supervision of Principal Investigator Jorge Morales in conjunction with Co-PI Megan Peters (University of California Irvine) and their teams to design implement and interpret one of the experiments that are part of the adversarial collaboration. This experiment is focused on understanding the vividness of perceptual and mental imagery experiences and their behavioral and neural profiles. The whole group will also include researchers at other sites including Boston University UC Irvine University College London Université Libre de Bruxelles and other national and international institutions as well.

The Lab Technician will receive direct mentorship from PI Morales and the other members of the team and will have opportunities for professional development (e.g. applying to graduate school) mentoring (e.g. of interns) and attending conferences to present their work. There will also be opportunities for developing their own theoretical and empirical projects that are of mutual interest outside of this specific adversarial collaboration.

Our laboratory is an advocate of Open Science best practices and modern statistical methods and offers an enriching collegial environment to further their scientific career while fostering healthy work/life balance.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lab management: materials procurement and equipment maintenance booking participants for behavioral and neuroimaging experiments reconcile purchases and lab finances book travel for team members coordinate lab events such as talks reading groups and lab meetings prepare grant and financial reports.
• Assist with neuroimaging experiments (fMRI) (e.g. assisting other lab members during scanning sessions). Help collect behavioral and neuroimaging data mainly but not exclusively for the adversarial collaboration.
• Perform research by reading and creating literature reviews help design and carry out novel experiments write dissemination materials (e.g. manuscripts slides posters) and present advances of research at conferences. Write IRB protocols and help with grant preparations.
• Participate in the academic life of the laboratory the department (including helping postdocs graduate and undergraduate students attending lab meetings talks etc.) and external collaborations.
• Responsible for making purchases and travel arrangements that further the research goals of the laboratory with start up and grant funds.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelors degree (BA/BS) in Psychology Neuroscience Math Computer Science or other related field is required.
• Masters degree (MA/MS) preferred.
• Independent research experience or thesis authoring preferred.
• Research experience in psychophysics vision science online testing statistical analyses or brain imaging (fMRI preferred).
• Programming skills in Python and JavaScript preferred.
• Scientific communication through manuscripts or conference presentations preferred.
• Knowledge of psychophysical methods signal detection theory and theories of consciousness preferred.
• Interest in philosophy of mind and cognitive science preferred.

To apply please complete the application in Workday and send a single PDF document with:

(1) Cover letter stating your research interests your future goals and why you want to join the lab include your ideal start date.

(2) CV or resume of your previous experience (a link to the candidates GitHub (if available) should be included).

(3) Contact information for 3 or more references (please include relationship e.g. supervisor employer etc.).

(4) A writing sample that you wrote by yourself (i.e. not co-authored papers; for example a thesis or an essay or report for a college-level class).

Questions about the position can be directed to Dr. Jorge Morales with a subject line that contains Lab Technician Position.

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience education and skills when extending an offer.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race religion color national origin age sex sexual orientation disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type:

Expected Hiring Range:

With the pay range(s) shown above the starting salary will depend on several factors which may include your education experience location knowledge and expertise and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.