Research Technician II

Position Purpose:

The MGH Brain Trauma lab uses swine models to understand the development of the immature brain, the pathophysiology of TBI, and post-traumatic sequelae such as post-traumatic epilepsy and hydrocephalus, and to test therapies. Our laboratory applies computational methods including machine learning to investigate the impact of seizures and abnormal brain activity on outcomes in pigs with cortical impact. Our goal is to understand pathological correlates of epilepsy and traumatic brain injury. Analysis of datasets (including video-EEG telemetry, intracellular chloride, among others) is central to these efforts.

Specific efforts focus on utilizing and/or developing methods for automatically classifying the semiology of pigs in video monitoring as they undergo the development of epilepsy and understanding the relationships between any abnormal behaviors and time after injury or the change in seizure frequency. Efforts will particularly focus on using machine learning approaches including training artificial neural networks via open-source libraries such as Keras and Tensorflow and using open-source software such as DeepLabCut, SimBA, ffmpeg, etc. Signal processing, statistics, algorithms, etc. to analyze or process large datasets of video frames may also be employed.

This position will have both direct, hands-on clinical work with swine and also machine learning.

The Research Technician is supervised by the Research Technologist, Dr. Nelson Marquez and the PI, Dr. Beth Costine-Bartell, and works alongside the other research technicians to perform both direct work in swine, work on a machine learning pipeline for behavioral analysis, and will analyze EEG. They will also interact with the labs of Kevin Staley, Kyle Lillis, Brandon Westover, and Syd Cash.

Key Accountabilities:

Research/Experiments

• Orders reagents

• Performs post-surgical care

• May assist with surgery and anesthesia

• Collects blood with awake or anesthetized animals. Process blood per protocols.

• Identifies, troubleshoots and corrects or recommends solutions to problems associated with experimental methods, procedures and techniques, or equipment and facilities.

• Ensures adherence to laboratory safety requirements including general and chemical/hazardous waste safety disposal methods.

• Is encouraged to contribute independently to the scientific content of the experiments, and to author and present original and team-related work.

• Creates and submits IACUC amendments.

Data Collection

• Collects data, enters data into databases, animal surgery records, the animals medical record, and data storage devices. Converts paper documents to electronic records.

• Keeps a detailed laboratory book and electronic notebook recording lab and animal work on a daily basis that is easy for others to read, understand, and repeat the procedures described.

• Uses Unix Shell (e.g. bash, zsh, or etc.), Python, DeepLabCut, SimBA, etc. in a pipeline to classify semiology in videos.

• Performs basic analyses or interpretation of EEGs.

• Screen videos for convulsive seizures.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Background in neuroscience or computer science is strongly recommended.

• Strong software engineering and quantitative background including knowledge in Python, Unix Shell (e.g. Bash, Zsh, etc), deep neural networks of different architectures (convolutional, recurrent, etc), algorithms (sorting, binary search, etc), C or any other compiler based language(s), calculus, basic statistics (hypothesis testing, distributions, regression, etc), data visualization, etc.

• Experience in animal handling.

• Ability to work independently with good judgment, organization, attention to detail, and time management skills.

• Able to work with hands in a sometimes fast-paced environment.

• Knowledge of neuroanatomy and physiology

• Ability to problem-solve. Takes responsibility in getting things done and figuring things out/ asking for the help they need while taking an active role in problem solving and not just waiting for someone else to fix it.

• Ability to keep organized spreadsheets following existing organizational structures.

• Willingness to work with/be exposed to hazardous materials such as radioactive materials, infectious materials, and/or hazardous chemicals.

• Ability of troubleshooting in situations pertaining to operating system environment and software applications (Teams, Outlook, Excel, Word, ffmpeg, Linux, Command Line Terminal, Neuroscore, etc.)

• Experience in scientific method and critical thinking

• Strong ethical principles

• Ability and willingness to employ flexible work hours at various times and to work some nights and weekends as required. Weekend work includes checking on pigs in person or remotely as well as performing any scheduled blood collection scheduled. Typically, it would be a few hours on a Saturday and/or Sunday on 1-3 weekends per month.

• Has good communication skills to work on a team. This includes circling back around to make sure what was discussed was done/achieved.

• While candidates may not have all skills needed and training will be provided, experience in at least some of these methods is favored.

Experience

One year of relevant laboratory or science or engineering related experience.

Education

Bachelor's degree with a major in a STEM related degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Target start date: November 1st.