Biomedical Engineer at VA Boston Healthcare System

University of Delaware; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The VA Boston Healthcare System's NeRVe Center seeks a Biomedical Engineer to support neuroimaging research and data management for Veterans. The role involves maintaining neuroimaging software, writing scripts, and collaborating with researchers to develop robust SOPs and imaging workflows.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree and experience in brain imaging research, with proficiency in Linux, MATLAB, and statistical analysis; strong communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering, Engineering, or Computer Engineering required for entry.
• Prior brain imaging research experience and use of neuroimaging software preferred but not required.
• Strong statistics knowledge and ability to run GLMs, ANOVAs, t-tests, and multivariate analyses.
• Proficiency with Linux, MATLAB, shell scripting, and data handling of large datasets.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage neuroimaging data to assure optimal organization of data produced during acquisition and analysis.
• Maintain software such as SPM, FreeSurfer, and/or FSL.
• Write programs and scripts in C, MATLAB, Python, or Bash on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
• Knowledge in HPC and SLURM interfacing.
• Develop standard operating procedures and maintain imaging hardware/software.
• Assist in developing data processing and organization procedures.
• Troubleshoot processing issues for investigators and staff.
• Utilize SPSS, MATLAB, and/or R for specified statistical analyses, including multivariate statistics.
• Collaborate with VA staff to procure resources and support NeRVe Center studies.
• Assist with hardware/software use for neuroimaging studies and train personnel.
• Assist with administrative tasks and stay current on best practices.

Skills

Statistics & data analysis

MATLAB & Python scripting

C / shell scripting

Excellent communication

Handling large datasets

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering, Engineering, or Computer Engineering

Tools

FSL

Freesurfer

AFNI

SPM

SPSS

MATLAB

Linux

Job description

Overview

The Health Science Specialist will perform the duties of a Biomedical Engineer (BME) for the Neuroimaging Research for Veterans (NeRVe) Center located at VA Boston Healthcare System, Jamaica Plain campus. The NeRVe Center supports multidisciplinary neuroscientific research at VA Boston. The BME will have a primary role assisting this multidisciplinary research with a track record leading to innovations forwarding the improvement of diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions affecting Veterans. Examples include traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in conjunction with severe stress-related emotional disorders such as PTSD as well as other neurological conditions affecting Veterans and older adults, and individuals at risk for cognitive decline due to aging or disease.

Responsibilities

• Manage neuroimaging data to assure optimal organization of the substantial information that is produced as part of data acquisition and analysis.
• Maintain specialized neuroimaging software such as Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM), FreeSurfer, and/or FMRIB Software Library (FSL).
• Write computer programs and scripts in languages such as C, MATLAB, Python, and/or Bash while being proficient in Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
• Knowledge in High-Performance Computing (HPC) and SLURM Linux interfacing.
• Produce robust procedures that become the standard for all NeRVe Center studies, from creating and maintaining standard operating procedures (SOPs) to routine care and maintenance of imaging hardware and software.
• Assist in developing procedures for data processing and organization.
• Troubleshoot processing issues experienced by investigators and their staff conducting studies at the NeRVe Center.
• Utilize statistical software packages such as SPSS, MATLAB, and/or R and conduct specific statistical analyses, including multivariate statistics.
• Work with a wide range of VA staff to procure any needed resources for the NeRVe Center.
• Assist with the use and implementation of hardware and software needed to conduct neuroimaging studies at the NeRVe Center.
• Serve as a consultant to other medical center staff and trainees and assist in training all personnel in the proper use of neuroimaging equipment and related procedures.
• Assist with any administrative tasks associated with the listed duties and stay up-to-date on best practices associated with these duties.

Qualifications and Skills

• The position requires education equivalent to the Bachelor's level for entry as a GS-05 level in Biomedical Engineering, Engineering, or Computer Engineering.
• Prior experience in brain imaging research and use of neuroimaging software (FSL/Freesurfer/AFNI/SPM) is preferable but not required; however, strong motivation to develop expertise in processing data across imaging domains is necessary.
• Understanding of statistics, and ability to conduct ANOVAs, ANCOVAs, t-tests, general linear models (GLMs), multiple regression, as well as machine learning and multivariate statistics.
• A good candidate will have strong computing skills and be able to work with large datasets, Linux operating systems, MATLAB, shell scripting, and statistical analysis.
• Must have excellent communications and organizational skills.

Candidates must be U.S. citizens.

Compensation includes full staff benefits such as medical and dental insurance; vacation time, etc.