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Postdoctoral Associate - Closed Loop DBS #362428

Required Qualifications: 
● PhD in, BME, ME, ECE, CSE, Neuroscience or similar field
● Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with others
● Strong quantitative background and signal processing expertise appropriate for the analysis of neural activity
● Strong record of presenting research results through publications and conference abstracts
● Expert programming in MATLAB and Simulink.
● Background or experience with control systems and control theory.

Preferred Qualifications:
● Experience with closed-loop stimulation in the context of neuromodulation.
● Proficient in additional coding language including, but not limited to, Python, C#, C++, LabView, R, or Adobe Premiere.
● Experience in conducting neurophysiology and behavioral experiments in human subjects, particularly as it relates to DBS and neurological movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
● Expertise in the analysis of single unit, local field potential neural signals and analyzing large neural datasets

About the Job:

The Neuromodulation Research Center (NMRC) at the University of Minnesota is seeking a postdoctoral associate to study novel applications of closed-loop deep brain stimulation (DBS) and their effects on brain function and motor signs of Parkinson's disease. Under the direction of Joshua Aman, PhD and Jerrold Vitek, MD, PhD, the associate will work collaboratively withing the NMRC on a clinical research project and have the unique opportunity to perform cortical and subcortical electrophysiological recordings in patients receiving DBS implants. The successful applicant for this position will make programmatic improvements on an NIH catalyst project with a larger P50 Udall Center NIH grant and other related projects, acting as an instrumental pivot in bringing hew technologies and stimulation paradigms to our robust portfolio of sponsored projects. Candidates with exceptional signal processing, programming and data analysis skills are encourage to apply. Those with expertise in control systems are also encouraged to apply.

The ideal candidate should have a strong quantitative background and signal processing expertise appropriate for the analysis of neural activity and understanding of closed-loop control systems. 

Job Duties/Responsibilities:

85% Research duties: Data collection, analysis, method development, publication of results in manuscripts, proceedings, and conference abstracts
10% Career Development: Professional skills, leadership training, technical skills development, conference presentation/attendance, outreach with community and industry partners
5% Supervision and Project Management: Manage junior lab members, and volunteers to ensure timely completion of project aims. local/national/international conferences

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Intern Funding Opportunities

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Overview

The Neuromodulation Research Center relies on the help of volunteers and interns to conduct its numerous ongoing studies in both clinical and pre-clinical labs. We are grateful to those who have dedicated their time and expertise to advancing research of movement disorders: in our labs, at outreach events, and by raising awareness. 

We hope to design programs that are academically rigorous and engage students of all disciplines in meaningful research. To that end, we have partnered with a number of organizations, both intra and extramural, to provide opportunities to better support our volunteer's experience. Below are just a few of the options that can enrich and enable research with the NMRC. We encourage students of all backgrounds to reach out with questions so that we can continuously improve our programs and provide best possible outcomes for those looking toward careers in fields related to biomedical research. If you have questions, comments, or with to discuss volunteering, please feel free to reach out to:

Wyatt Doepke
Lab Operations Scientist
[email protected]
612-626-6158

Directed Research

Directed research is conducted by UMN undergraduate students with sponsoring faculty in numerous labs on campus. This work can exist in tandem with existing projects or be completely novel research based on the paradigm, permission, and resources of the sponsoring faculty member. These projects are self-designed and proposed to the director of undergraduate studies of the student’s major and Directed Study staff. Students undertaking this research are awarded credit at the successful completion of their projects on a S/N scale.

The College of Biological Sciences has put together a great resource for those interested in directed research. Generally, at the NMRC, we require a semester’s experience in our labs before designing and applying for a directed research program.

UMN Undegraduate Funding

Of the mostly commonly awarded internal undergraduate funding mechanisms, the NMRC most often receives awards through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), the North Star Alliance programs, and MnDRIVE Brain Conditions initiative. Generally, the NMRC requires a semester’s lab experience before applying for any of these programs except the MnDRIVE award which places undergraduates with our labs on a predetermined project. Students receive direct funding to defray their tuition and research expenses. Incoming interns should begin to identify application timelines with their mentors immediately when starting at the NMRC to ensure deadlines align with their intended volunteer period.

External Undergraduate Funding

Multiple organizations offer grants in aide to undergraduate researchers either writ large or by the field of research. Some of most frequently awarded stipends include Parkinson's Foundation Summer Fellowship, a ten week mentored experience, and the North Star STEM alliance award(s) to encourage traditionally underrepresented demographics in research.

There are numerous options for recognition and funding to better support your research experience. When applying for an undergraduate research position, anywhere, consider your long-term goals. Securing independent funding is a vital skill for every principle investigator

Macalester Co-Op

The NMRC fosters a close and reciprocal relationship with Macalester College and provides for-credit internships through the Macalester Internship Office during the summer term. In the past, the NMRC has also been host to independent research undertaken as capstone projects, sponsoring students who have received Macalester specific institutional scholarships, and taken Macalester students to present their research at national conferences.

We encourage students of diverse academic backgrounds to inquire or apply!

The Neuromodulation Research Center (NMRC) offers a collaborative and translationally focused training environment, and brings together the University of Minnesota’s experts from engineering, neuroscience, neurology, neurosurgery, and radiology to advance the understanding of brain disorders and neuromodulation therapies for these disorders. The University of Minnesota shall provide equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Potential roles and levels in the NMRC range from student volunteers, junior scientists, post-doctoral fellows to research associate and faculty levels when available. For more information please email NMRC operations manager Wyatt Doepke ([email protected]). All formal applications for paid positions must be made through the UMN job portal.

Graduate and Postdoctoral Training Opportunities

Under the direction of Dr. Jerrold Vitek, NMRC brings together an interdisciplinary team of experts from neurology, neurosurgery, neuroscience, radiology, and engineering to advance neuromodulation therapies for movement disorders. Our group is part of the Udall Center for Excellence in Parkinson’s Disease Research awarded to the University of Minnesota in 2016. In the heart of Minnesota’s ‘Medical Alley’ our NIH-funded team fosters inventive, translational research aimed at training the next generation of researchers and clinicians and providing Minnesotans with world-class care.

We seek outstanding scientists interested in working in an NIH funded research program studying motor systems neurophysiology, the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD), mechanisms of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in preclinical animal models of PD, and new DBS approaches. These postdoc positions, described in the left hand column, offer opportunities for multidisciplinary research, training in neuroengineering and neurophysiology, and career development. Staff scientist positions may also be considered depending on applicant qualifications and career goals. For more information please email NMRC operations manager Wyatt Doepke ([email protected]) with your CV.

Undergraduate Opportunities

The NMRC offers numerous opportunities for both funded and unfunded volunteer and intern positions. The interdisciplinary approach of our research means that students with backgrounds in many fields including, neuroscience, electrical and mechanical engineering, computer science, animal science, biology chemistry have the opportunity to conduct research in the Academic Health Center at the University. We are especially interested in hearing from you if you have engineering, programming, or experience working with the statistical analysis of large data sets.

Typical interns usually work around ten hours a week in our clinical or pre-clinical labs working with and shadowing a researcher on the one of our NIH funded projects. Volunteers gain a holistic experience of their project, working on aspects from data collection to analysis and then to presentation with our cohort at the Society for Neuroscience conference or similar.   

Numerous opportunities for funding of for-credit research exist for both UMN students and extramural applicants. Check out just a few of the opportunities below to enrich your experience with the NMRC in the left column.