Research Professional 2 - Research Computing (Software Engineer) - Translational NeuroEngineering Laboratory

The Translational Neural Engineering Laboratory at the University of Minnesota is seeking a Research Professional 2 (Software Engineer) interested in working at the intersection of technology, neuroscience, and mental health. Our laboratory has multiple projects ongoing involving electrical recording, optical and electrical brain stimulation, and real-time signal processing in actively behaving animals (sometimes called "brain-computer interfaces"). The technologies we develop will ultimately be used to change activity in specific brain circuits involved in severe mental illnesses such as PTSD, major depression, addiction, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Some of them are in pilot clinical trials or being prepared to enter those trials.

This posting is for a support/cross project role. You will work in collaboration with lab researchers to develop, maintain, and extend our real-time brain signal processing and experiment control systems. These systems mainly read out emotion-related activity from the brain and control stimulators that respond within milliseconds to activity changes. Other software setups administer controlled visual, auditory, and tactile stimulation to human and/or animal research subjects to probe brain circuits involved in decision-making. Most of the code base is in C derivatives and Python; some legacy elements are in MATLAB and LabVIEW. It is a fully open source architecture, and part of the role is supporting users both inside and outside our team as they learn to use and request extensions to the system's capabilities.

Job Duties/Responsibilities:

70% code development and testing in C-related languages. As much of our code is meant to interface with laboratory equipment, this includes direct testing in the laboratory setting.
20% interaction with laboratory team members and external stakeholders to identify requirements, debug problems, and discern future directions.
10% communication of findings, work products, and other technical concepts in professional English.

Qualifications

All required qualifications must be included in the application materials

Required Qualifications:

BA/BS degree with at least two years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and relevant work experience to equal at least six years.
Prior C/C++/C# experience is essential for this role; it may be possible to substitute Java or another modern compiled programming language. This can arise from coursework, independent study, or practical experience.
Familiarity with one major interpreted (MATLAB/Python preferred, R welcome) data analysis language will be helpful for rapid prototyping.
Experience with standard software engineering practices (modularity, object-oriented work, issue tracking).

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with common digital processing techniques (filtering and frequency-domain transforms), with digital or analog electronics, with formal mathematical principles of control/sensing, or with open source distribution and code management (particularly GitHub).

About the Department

The Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences consists of an outstanding team of researchers, clinicians, and educators who provide world-class expertise in psychiatric illness, treatment, scholarship, and scientific discovery.

Our mission is to:

• Create and disseminate new knowledge in the science of mental health
• Provide effective and innovative clinical care programs to alleviate the suffering of mental illness and promote mental resilience
• Train the next generation of interprofessional experts who will be leaders in Minnesota and beyond
• Engage in compassionate and vigorous outreach and advocacy on issues relevant to psychiatric illness, treatment, and research

You can find more information on our website at .

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: The salary range is $80,000 - $100,000 per year, depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Time Appointment Category: 75%-100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

In addition to applying through the UMN website, please send a resume and cover letter, specifically describing your relevant experience, to Dr. Alik Widge at .

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail or call .

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides 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. To learn more about diversity at the U:

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).