Postdoctoral Research Associate

Department:
Bio-Medical Engineering

Reports To:
Professor, Bio-Medical Engineering

Position Type:
Staff

Position Summary:
The Neural Prosthetics Laboratory is looking to hire a post-doctoral research associate. The primary research focus of the Neural Prosthetics Laboratory (NPL) is to develop novel and translational neural prosthetic approaches and implantable devices in order to restore function in people with neurological disabilities resulting from injuries to the central nervous system, as in spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury and stroke. At the same time, we aim to increase our knowledge about the role of the spinal cord and the cerebellum in motor coordination and sensory-motor integration. One of our current projects involves the extraction of volitional signals from the descending fiber tracts of the spinal cord. The goal is to utilize these signals in spinal-cord-injury patients to allow them to control a robot arm to perform daily activities. The Lab has also developed micro-devices that are activated by a near-infrared light beam for wireless neural stimulation in parts of the central nervous system where tethered electrodes cannot be implanted. We have demonstrated in an animal model that evoked potentials collected from the cerebellar cortex can provide a reliable metric to monitor the progression of brain injury following head trauma. We are now investigating the effects of DC electric currents as a treatment option for cognitive disorders in animal models.

Essential Functions:

• This position involves conducting electrophysiology experiments in small animals for transcranial electrical and ultrasound stimulation.
• Neurological signals will be collected in acute and chronic experiments and analyzed in Matlab.

Prerequisite Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in biomedical engineering or neuroscience is required.
• A candidate with some years of post-doctoral research experience will be given priority.
• Familiarity with animal surgery, electrophysiological data collection and advanced knowledge of signal processing techniques specifically in Matlab environment are required.
• At the university's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be exempted where the candidate can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the university, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Bargaining Unit:
AFT-UCAN

FLSA:
Exempt
Full-Time

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