Job Description:

The BrainGate lab in the School of Engineering at Brown University is seeking an enthusiastic and skilled software engineer to join our internationally recognized research team to further advance the BrainGate neural interface system and to support the overall neurotechnology research endeavor in the laboratory of Leigh Hochberg, M.D., Ph.D. Our lab and consortium focus on developing brain- computer interfaces that will restore communication and upper limb function for people with severe speech and motor impairments, including people with spinal cord injury, stroke, or ALS. Throughout our clinical research, we also conduct fundamental human neuroscience research in movement control, cognition, and attention.

Working closely with members of our highly multidisciplinary lab and consortium, the incumbent will be responsible for the design, development, integration and maintenance of a variety of innovative, complex software systems spanning a variety of hardware systems at the core of the BrainGate brain-computer interface platform. They will have responsibility for system and software verification and release for use in the BrainGate pilot clinical trial. The incumbent will provide guidance to, train, and collaborate with students, peers, and senior researchers and clinicians to enable data collection and testing of novel research hypotheses. They will serve as an expert technical resource for using the BrainGate system and processing data with responsibility for data integrity and usability.

The Research Engineer will be self-driven, a committed team player, nimble with emerging technologies, highly disciplined in software engineering best practices (such as GitHub version control and code review, agile development, verification through simulation, coding standards and documentation) and skilled at selecting and applying a variety of languages and packages as appropriate for optimal performance. They will guide integration of new hardware devices and software apps into the real-time system as needed (eye tracking, robotic device interfaces).

Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a personâ™s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance.

This is a two-year fixed-term, hybrid-eligible staff position, with the possibility of extension contingent upon available funding.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor of Science in engineering, computer science or related field required (MS preferred)
• 3+ years software/engineering development experience
• No licenses or certificates required

Job Competencies

Essential competencies:

• Fluency in Python and C (or C++)
• Expertise in Matlab and matrix operations
• Proficiency with source control (GitHub) and/or industry-standard software development environments
• Experience with network programming and communication constructs (UDP, WebSockets, TCP, ZMQ)
• Working knowledge of digital signals and filters
• Experience with databases (e.g., SQL, MongoDB, queries, table design, JSON/blobs)
• Experience interfacing software with devices (such as peripherals or robotics)
• Familiarity with emerging software technologies and methodologies
• Demonstrable ability to develop accurate, sustainable, well-documented software
• Excellent judgment in making independent engineering decisions in the context of project objectives
• Strong leadership, communication and organizational skills
• Motivated self-starter able to work individually and as a critical member of a high-performance cross-functional team

Preferred competencies:

• Experience in Simulink or Verilog/VHDL
• Core concepts of web protocols, web servers, modern web app infrastructure, RESTful API
• Working knowledge of (or application development for) Windows, Linux/Ubuntu, iOS, and Android
• Working knowledge of HMM, classification, and dimensionality reduction (e.g, LDA, PCA, FA)
• Interest in user interface design and implementation, UI/UX
• Experience with embedded system development, FPGA, and ARM programming
• Experience with neuroscience and electrical brain signals
• Prior work experience in academic research or the medical device industry

All offers are contingent on successful completion of a criminal background check and education verification.

In order to maintain 90% or greater universal vaccination rates on campus, all newly hired employees at Brown University must receive the final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before they begin work, unless they are approved for a medical or religious exemption. For more information, please visit the Healthy Brown site. 

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Submission Guidelines:

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any staff position at Brown University you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

Vaccination Requirements:

In order to maintain 90% or greater universal vaccination rates on campus, all newly hired employees at Brown University must receive the final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before they begin work, unless they are approved for a medical or religious exemption. All employees must also receive a COVID-19 booster within thirty (30) days of becoming eligible. For more information, please visit the Healthy Brown site.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact employment@brown.edu.

EEO Statement:

Brown University is an E-Verify Employer.

Brown University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic global community; as an EEO/AA employer, Brown considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, race, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.