Neuroprosthetics Laboratory and Project Manager

Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh           ·            Full time

Neuroprosthetics Laboratory and Project Manager

Med-Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation – Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh – (23008680)

The University of Pittsburgh is seeking a Neuroprosthetics Laboratory and Project Manager. This position is at the Rehabilitation Neural Engineering Labs and requires a Bachelor’s Degree or higher in engineering, biology, or neuroscience. The incumbent will be responsible for all aspects of operating a human neuroprosthetics research laboratory focused on sensorimotor neuroscience and the restoration of upper limb function as well as management of grant and project-related milestones, deliverables, and reporting requirements. Primary duties will include data collection and documentation for experiments in the lab or participants’ homes, maintenance and development of laboratory hardware and software systems, monitoring participant reports and basic health characteristics, maintaining and inventory of clinical supplies, writing Standard Operating Procedures, tracking grant milestones and deliverables, contributing to grant and project reports, leading data sharing efforts, and ensuring that all experiments are performed in accordance with University, IRB, and FDA policies. Preference will be given to applicants with training or experience in human subjects research and programming (e.g. Matlab, Python, Git).

Job Summary

• Manages day-to-day laboratory operations while ensuring compliance with safety regulations and best practices.
• Works with, adapts, and installs scientific equipment in research laboratories.
• Collaborates on routine projects and procedures.
• Manages inventory and equipment and performs budget functions.

Essential Functions 

• Assist with daily human subjects experiments in the lab or the participants’ home.
• This may include basic health monitoring, questionnaires, setup of neural recording or stimulation equipment, video monitoring, and execution of neuroprosthetics experiments involving computers, virtual reality, robotics, or other hardware. Document experiments in the daily test log.
• Must be able to run core clinical trial experiments independently and perform basic hardware and software troubleshooting.
• Providing skin care of percutaneous neuroprosthetics devices.
• Teach participants’ caregivers how to properly clean and care for skin around percutaneous neuroprosthetics devices.
• Supervise visitors and collaborators that are observing or participating in experiments.
• Professional treatment and interactions with human research participants.
• Be an advocate for research participants and ensure that they have a positive experience in the lab.
• Ensure personnel are present and equipment is functional to support daily experiments. Conduct of experiments in line with University, IRB, and FDA regulations.
• Set an example and require high work ethic and moral ethic.
• Pursue collaboration and establish a positive working environment and relationships to foster collaboration.
• Project management: Track milestones and deliverables for ongoing projects.
• Facilitate meetings and information sharing to ensure completion of project goals. Identify potential risks to study completion.
• Coordinate reporting activities and serve as a primary point of contact for collaborators.
• Assist the PIs or RNEL Operations manager with visitor, materials transfer, data sharing agreements or similar that may be needed to complete the ongoing projects.
• Lab and physical space management including preparing, maintaining, and organizing clean and stocked laboratory spaces.
• Development of software or hardware to facilitate conduct of experiments or documentation of participant reports.
• Ensure that all equipment and paradigms have been tested prior to the participants arrival. Ability to navigate versions of code and configuration files using Git.
• Coordinate with other study staff and trainees to ensure appropriate coverage and documentation of experiments on the lab wiki and through written experiment protocols.
• Communicate with participants and their family regarding experiment schedules.
• Schedule service calls for equipment as needed.
• Data management and reporting including development of standard operating procedures or participant instructions, transferring data to the lab server after experiments, summarizing experiments for scientific or regulatory reports. Lead efforts to fufill data sharing requirements associated with funded or publication.
• Provide training to new team members and evaluate readiness to lead experiments.
• Train study participants and caregivers to use BCI equipment independently in their home.
• Run data analysis scripts to process data into figures.
• Processing and editing video and audio for scientific presentations.
• Act as a liaison between participants, lab trainees, and regulatory and fiscal staff to schedule and document experiments according to project requirements and timelines.
• Provide information as needed for scientific or regulatory reporting requirements.
• Assist with participant payments and reimbursements.

Physical Effort 

Position requires moderate activity including standing or sitting for long periods of time (hours). Movement between Mercy, MWRI, Kaufmann, Benedum, and McGowan is also required.

The University of Pittsburgh is committed to championing all aspects of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within our community. This commitment is a fundamental value of the University and is crucial in helping us advance our mission, which includes attracting and retaining diverse workforces. We will continue to create and maintain an environment that allows individuals to discover, belong, contribute, and grow, while honoring the experiences, perspectives, and unique identities of all.

The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity. EOE, including disability/vets.

The University of Pittsburgh requires all Pitt constituents (employees and students) on all campuses to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved exemption. Visit hr.pitt.edu/contact-ohr to learn more.

Assignment Category Full-time regular

Job Classification Staff.Laboratory Manager I

Job Family Research

Job Sub-Family Laboratory

Campus Pittsburgh

Minimum Education Level Required Bachelor’s Degree

Minimum Years of Experience Required 2

Will this position accept substitution in lieu of education or experience? Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement.

Additional details about Required Licensure/Certification The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in engineering, biology, or neuroscience or a related area and 2 years of experience or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience. Coursework desired includes, but is not limited to, bioengineering, neuroscience, and programming. Excellent management, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills are required. Experience with human subjects research is highly desirable.

Work Schedule Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm

Work Arrangement Hybrid: Combination of On-Campus and Remote work as determined by the department.

Hiring Range TBD Based Upon Qualifications

Relocation Offered No

Visa Sponsorship Provided No

Background Check For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check

Child Protection Clearances Not Applicable

Required Documents Resume, Cover Letter

Optional Documents Not Applicable                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

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