Senior Research Engineer - Neuroscience

Scheduled Hours
40

Position Summary
The Neurotech Hub is seeking an all-star engineer interested in developing neurotechnology projects, from PCB fabrication to custom 3D-printed behavioral modules. The candidate does not need a background in neuroscience; their experience should reflect a dedication to solving electromechanical or software problems with an emphasis on real-life applications. The candidate will be asked to demonstrate a passion for and history of technical problem-solving—taking ideas or concepts to prototypes and solutions.
The Neurotech Hub is a nexus of innovation for the neuroscience community at WashU. As part of this team, you will be exposed to a variety of professional mentor/mentee relationships and an incredible range of tools, techniques, and approaches to solving questions at the frontier of scientific research. The Neurotech Hub welcomes an entrepreneurial mindset with active opportunities to pursue intellectual property and commercial ventures.
We encourage potential candidates to browse the Neurotech Hub's Culture Handbook and Neurotech Hub Monthly Newsletter to self-assess for goodness-of-fit.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

The candidate will be asked to demonstrate their skills in taking ideas or concepts to prototypes and solutions; ideally, they have demonstrable experience with:

• Electronic circuit design (PCB schematics, layout, and procurement)
• Soldering and fabrication (hot air and micro-soldering techniques)
• Embedded software (spanning Arduino IDE to custom wireless solutions)
• Developing documentation (maintaining GitHub repos, readme’s, issues, and wikis)
• Working with people (customer-centric approach to project management)

The candidate should be willing to take on a leadership role within the Neurotech Hub as a project lead and primary point of contact as a neurotechnology expert. The candidate will report to the Director of the Neurotech Hub, whom they will work with on a day-to-day basis on Hub- and community-wide projects and initiatives. Depending on the candidate’s experience, they may be considered for the role of Deputy Director.

Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment 

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at a desk or table 

Equipment

• Office equipment

• Lab tooling and specialized equipment (e.g., 3D printer, lasers, mill, soldering tools)

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.

Certifications:

No specific certification is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Computer Application In Research And Development Environment (7 Years)

Skills:

Apple Mac OS, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Image Processing Software, Unix, Windows NT

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent.
• Applications experience with image processing and Computer Aided Design (CAD) environment, NT, UNIX and Macintosh systems using Analyze, NIH Imaging, hardware and software system design and testing.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

No additional education beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Certifications:

No additional certification beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Work Experience:

No additional work experience beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Skills:

Ability to Reason, Analytical Thinking, Deductive Reasoning, Document Development, Embedded Software, English Language, GitHub Repositories, Logical Thinking, Mathematical Computation, Oral Communications, PCB Layout Design, PCB Layout Tools, Reading English, Soldering, Wiki, Working Independently, Written Communication

Grade
R13

Salary Range
$72,900.00 - $132,200.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ .

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu  or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO/AA Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.