Part Time Research Support - Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics

Penn State University; Hershey (PA); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

The Penn State University in Hershey, PA, seeks a Part Time Research Support staff member to assist with organizing behavioral datasets, preparing video data, and supporting machine learning analyses of rodent behavior.

The role supports development of computational methods for extracting behavioral sequences, with no live animal work. Expect about 22 hours/week for roughly 8 weeks at $18/hr.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Experience organizing, analyzing, or managing research data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist with organizing large behavioral video datasets and metadata.
• Prepare and annotate video data for computer vision and ML analyses.
• Support pipelines for video processing, object detection, and tracking.
• Maintain research records, documentation, and project materials.

Skills

Master's degree

Data organization

Strong organizational skills

Written and verbal communication

Independent and collaborative work

Education

Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or related field

Tools

Python

Video preprocessing

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

The Penn State College of Medicine, Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics in Hershey, PA has an opening for a Part Time Research Support position. The Research Support position provides technical and administrative support for an interdisciplinary research project focused on computational behavioral neuroscience, computer vision, and machine learning analysis of rodent behavior. Under the direction of the Principal Investigators, the Research Support staff member will assist with organizing behavioral datasets, preparing and processing video data, supporting machine learning workflows, conducting literature reviews, maintaining research documentation, and contributing to data analysis and dissemination of research findings. This position supports the development of computational methods for extracting and analyzing behavioral action sequences from existing rodent behavioral video datasets collected during neuroscience studies. No live animal experimentation is anticipated as part of this project.

SAMPLE WORK ACTIVITIES

• Assist with the organization, management, and quality control of large behavioral video datasets and associated metadata.
• Prepare, preprocess, annotate, and validate behavioral video data for computer vision and machine learning analyses.
• Support implementation and testing of computational pipelines for video processing, object detection, trajectory tracking, and behavioral segmentation.
• Assist with data collection, organization, statistical summaries, visualization, and interpretation of research findings.
• Maintain accurate research records, protocols, code documentation, and project documentation.
• Conduct literature reviews and summarize current research related to behavioral neuroscience, computer vision, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
• Assist in evaluating machine learning model performance and validating computational methods across multiple behavioral paradigms.
• Prepare figures, tables, technical reports, presentations, manuscripts, and grant-related materials.
• Coordinate project meetings, maintain timelines, and assist with communication among collaborating investigators.
• Support data management activities to ensure compliance with institutional policies and research best practices.
• Assist with software testing, debugging, and documentation of computational tools developed for the project.
• Maintain research computing resources, software installations, and version-controlled repositories as appropriate.
• Participate in dissemination of research findings through presentations, publications, and external funding proposals.
• Perform other research-related duties as assigned in support of the project objectives.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, Bioinformatics, or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience organizing, analyzing, or managing research data.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• $18/hr about 22 hours per week for about 8 weeks.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

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