Position Description

Position Summary:

The Viventi Lab is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Associate in Research to support our interdisciplinary research in neural engineering. The lab focuses on the development of high-resolution bioelectronic interfaces, implantable devices for brain stimulation and recording, and translational applications in epilepsy, stroke, hypertension, and motor disorders. The Associate in Research will be responsible for supporting experimental design, device testing, data collection and analysis, and coordination of studies in both preclinical models and human intraoperative settings.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Research Support & Experimentation
• Assist in the design and execution of experiments involving electrophysiological recordings from preclinical models and human participants.
• Set up and maintain intraoperative recording systems in clinical environments.
• Support development and testing of neural recording and stimulation devices in collaboration with engineering and clinical teams.
• Data Collection & Analysis
• Acquire, process, and analyze high-dimensional electrophysiology and behavioral datasets.
• Use tools such as MATLAB, Python, or similar platforms for signal processing and statistical analysis.
• Maintain accurate records of data and experiments, adhering to laboratory protocols.
• Device Fabrication & Testing
• Support microfabrication, testing, and assembly of flexible electrode arrays and custom neural interfaces.
• Collaborate with electrical and mechanical engineers to troubleshoot and optimize device performance.
• Regulatory & Compliance
• Assist with IRB and IACUC protocols and ensure compliance with safety and ethical standards for human and animal research.
• Maintain lab documentation for equipment, protocols, and data management consistent with Duke research policies.
• Team Collaboration
• Collaborate closely with graduate students, postdocs, clinicians, and external partners (e.g., Blackrock Neurotech).
• Participate in lab meetings, contribute to manuscript preparation, and present research findings when appropriate.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Neuroscience, or a related field.
• Experience in laboratory research, ideally in neurophysiology, electrophysiology, or neural engineering.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Comfort working in surgical or clinical research environments.
• Programming experience (e.g., MATLAB, Python, LabVIEW) preferred.
• Experience with data acquisition systems and bioinstrumentation is a plus.