Research Programmer / Software Engineer

Thomas-Jefferson-University-; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 85,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Tuition assistance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Thomas Jefferson University is seeking a motivated Research Programmer / Software Engineer to develop tools for human memory experiments and intracranial EEG analysis in the Herz Lab. The role involves rapid tool development, pipeline creation, and collaboration with neuroscientists and clinicians to advance brain stimulation studies.

The position offers opportunities for substantial scientific involvement, potential co-authorship, and work at the interface of software engineering and cognitive

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, data science, or a related field.
• Strong Python programming skills and experience with C++ or willingness to extend C++ code.
• Experience in Linux/Unix environments and version control (Git, conda, pip).
• Ability to write clean, well-documented, maintainable code and work independently.
• Excellent communication and ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and improve software tools for human memory experiments and iEEG data processing.
• Build and optimize software for direct brain stimulation studies.
• Develop reproducible preprocessing and analysis pipelines for neural time-series data.
• Support HPC workflows, testing procedures, and documentation.
• Contribute to study design, data analysis, and co-authorship on publications.

Skills

Python

C++

Linux/Unix

Git

Conda/Pip

Clean code

Independent problem solving

Collaborate across teams

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science / engineering / data science

Tools

MATLAB

R

JavaScript

Unity

PsychoPy

Qt

MNE

Job description

Number of Positions In Requisition1Job DetailsA Research Programmer / Software Engineer position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Noa Herz in the Department of Neurology and Neuroscience at Thomas Jefferson University. Research in the Herz Lab focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying human episodic memory. We use direct brain recordings and electrical stimulation collected from neurosurgical patients with implanted electrodes undergoing seizure monitoring. Our work aims to characterize memory processes and memory dysfunction in neurological and psychiatric conditions and to develop novel brain stimulation approaches to improve human memory function.We are seeking a motivated, independent, and technically skilled programmer/software engineer to develop, maintain, and improve software tools for human memory experiments, intracranial EEG(iEEG) data processing, and scientific analysis. The successful candidate will work closely with neuroscientists and clinicians to develop new experimental paradigms, improve existing analysis pipelines, and provide technical expertise for ongoing cognitive neuroscience studies.Job DescriptionThis position is ideal for someone who enjoys solving challenging technical problems, rapidlydeveloping new tools, and working at the interface of software engineering, neuroscience, andmedicine.Projects may involve:• Rapid development and implementation of new behavioral experiments in human memory.• Building and optimizing software tools for direct brain stimulation studies.• Developing reproducible preprocessing and analysis pipelines for intracranial EEG data.• Supporting computational analyses on high-performance computing clusters.• Designing software systems, testing procedures, and reproducible workflows.• Preparing software releases and maintaining code documentation.• Troubleshooting computing infrastructure, including servers, file systems, and clusterenvironments.• Contributing to the design and implementation of novel neuroscience experiments andanalysis methods.This position provides a unique opportunity to apply software engineering skills to cutting-edge research in human neuroscience, epilepsy, and brain stimulation. Depending on the candidate's interests and qualifications, there will be opportunities for substantial scientific involvement, including co-authorship on publications and participation in study design and data analysis.Qualifications:• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, data science, or a related field.• Strong programming skills in Python.• Experience with C++, or willingness to work with and extend existing C++ code.• Experience working in Linux/Unix computing environments.• Experience with version control and software environment management tools (e.g., Git,conda, pip).• Demonstrated experience completing technical projects or contributing to larger codebases.• Ability to write clean, well-documented, maintainable, and reusable code.• Strong independent problem-solving skills.• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate within multidisciplinary teams.Preferred Qualifications• Experience with neuroscience, psychology, biomedical research, or human subjectsresearch.• Experience with EEG, intracranial EEG, neural time-series analysis, or physiological data.• Experience with MATLAB, R, JavaScript, Unity, PsychoPy, Psychtoolbox, Qt, or relatedtools.• Experience with scientific Python libraries such as NumPy, pandas, SciPy, MNE,matplotlib, or scikit-learn.• Experience with software testing, deployment, or collaborative software development.• Experience with high-performance computing, SLURM, server-based workflows, orscientific data management.• Experience with computational modeling, simulations, or large-scale data analysis.• Experience with hardware, electronics, or experimental systems integration.• Interest in memory research, epilepsy, brain stimulation, clinical neuroscience, or computational neuroscience.Work ShiftWorkday Day (United States of America)Worker Sub TypeRegularEmployee EntityThomas Jefferson UniversityPrimary Location Address1015 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of AmericaNationally ranked, Jefferson, which is principally located in the greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and higher education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 65,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; making our communities healthier and stronger; preparing tomorrow's professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through basic/programmatic, clinical and applied research. Thomas Jefferson University , home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson College of Nursing, and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, dates back to 1824 and today comprises 10 colleges and three schools offering 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,300 students. Jefferson Health , nationally ranked as one of the top 15 not-for-profit health care systems in the country and the largest provider in the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas, serves patients through millions of encounters each year at 32 hospitals campuses and more than 700 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region. Jefferson Health Plans is a not-for-profit managed health care organization providing a broad range of health coverage options in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 35 years.Jefferson is committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, military status, veteran status, handicap or disability or any other protected group or status.BenefitsJefferson offers a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time colleagues, including medical (including prescription), supplemental insurance, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, retirement plans, tuition assistance, as well as voluntary benefits, which provide colleagues with access to group rates on insurance and discounts. Colleagues have access to tuition discounts at Thomas Jefferson University after one year of full time service or two years of part time service. All colleagues, including those who work less than part-time (including per diem colleagues, adjunct faculty, and Jeff Temps ), have access to medical (including prescription) insurance.