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 https://web.northeastern.edu/nubic/about/equipment/. The 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: https://www.arc-ethos.org/ https://subjectivity.sites.northeastern.edu/research/arc-ethos/ 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 Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in Psychology, Neuroscience, Math, Computer Science, or other related field is required. Master's 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 candidate’s 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, j.morales@northeastern.edu, with a subject line that contains “Lab Technician Position”. Position Type Research Additional Information Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer. Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information. 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: 105H Expected Hiring Range: $20.47 - $28.14 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. Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experiential lifelong learning. Our approach of integrating real-world experience with education, research, and innovation empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create worldwide impact.    Our global university system provides our community and academic, government, and industry partners with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally. The system—which includes 14 campuses across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, 300,000-plus alumni, and 3,000 partners worldwide—serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions. The university’s residential campuses for undergraduate and graduate degrees are located in Boston, London, and Oakland, California. Our research and graduate campuses are in the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant; Arlington, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Miami; Portland, Maine; Seattle; Silicon Valley, California; Toronto; and Vancouver. Northeastern’s personalized, experiential undergraduate and graduate programs lead to degrees through the doctorate in 10 colleges and schools across our campuses. Learning emphasizes the intersection of data, technology, and human literacies, uniquely preparing graduates for careers of the future and lives of fulfillment and accomplishment. Our research enterprise, with an R1 Carnegie classification, is solutions oriented and spans the world. Our faculty scholars and students work in teams that cross not just disciplines, but also sectors—aligned around solving today’s highly interconnected global challenges and focused on transformative impact for humankind.

Salary : $20 - $28