Research Specialist

University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, San Francisco, is seeking a Research Specialist to join a multidisciplinary team exploring focused ultrasound neuromodulation in epilepsy and network neuroscience. The role leads projects using transcranial focused ultrasound to modulate epileptogenic networks, combining electrophysiology and neuroimaging to inform next-generation therapies for drug-resistant epilepsy.

The position is available for 1 year with potential renewal based on performance and funding; start

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, physics, electrical engineering, or equivalent, or 10+ years of research experience.
• At least 2 years of electrophysiology with signal processing or neuroimaging experience (fMRI).
• Proficiency in Python and/or MATLAB; familiarity with reproducible research workflows (Git, Jupyter, containers).
• A strong publication record with first-author contributions.
• Excellent written and oral communication and collaboration in team-science.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments using focused ultrasound to modulate targeted cortical and subcortical structures in participants with and without epilepsy, including collection of simultaneous EEG, LFP, and/or fMRI data.
• Develop and apply analysis pipelines for electrophysiology and neuroimaging datasets, with an emphasis on biomarker identification and network-level interpretations.
• Lead manuscript preparation and contribute to grant writing, including progress reports and new funding applications.
• Collaborate with clinical partners (neurologists, neurosurgeons, radiologists).
• Mentor junior lab members (rotation students, graduate students) and contribute to a positive, inclusive lab culture.
• Present findings at national and international conferences and engage with the broader neuromodulation and epilepsy communities.

Skills

Electrophysiology

Data analysis

Python

MATLAB

Git/Jupyter/containers

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in Neuroscience or related field

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Position Description

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Specialist to join our research team at University of California San Francisco (UCSF) dedicated to advancing knowledge at the intersection of focused ultrasound neuromodulation, epilepsy, and network neuroscience. The successful candidate will lead projects in the use of transcranial focused ultrasound to modulate epileptogenic networks, combining electrophysiology and neuroimaging to develop next‑generation therapeutic strategies for drug‑resistant epilepsy.

This position is available for 1 year with the option for renewal contingent on performance and funding. Start date is flexible.

Essential Qualifications

• A doctoral degree (or equivalent) in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, physics, electrical engineering, or a closely related field, or at least 10 years of research experience.
• At least 2 years of demonstrated expertise in electrophysiology with experience in signal processing and neural data analysis and/or neuroimaging modalities (functional MRI).
• Proficiency in scientific programming: Python, MATLAB, or both. Familiarity with data management and reproducible research workflows (e.g., Git, Jupyter, containerization).
• A strong publication record commensurate with career stage, demonstrating first‑authored peer‑reviewed contributions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively in a team‑science environment.

Desired Qualifications

• A PhD in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, physics, electrical engineering, or a closely related field.
• Strong interest in developing non‑invasive technologies.
• Experience with simultaneous multi‑modal recordings (e.g., EEG‑fMRI, EEG‑TUS, or LFP‑fMRI) and the associated artifact rejection and co‑registration pipelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments using focused ultrasound to modulate targeted cortical and subcortical structures in participants with and without epilepsy, including collection of simultaneous EEG, LFP, and/or fMRI data.
• Develop and apply analysis pipelines for electrophysiology and neuroimaging datasets, with an emphasis on biomarker identification and network‑level interpretations.
• Lead manuscript preparation and contribute to grant writing, including progress reports and new funding applications.
• Collaborate with clinical partners (neurologists, neurosurgeons, radiologists).
• Mentor junior lab members (rotation students, graduate students) and contribute to a positive, inclusive lab culture.
• Present findings at national and international conferences and engage with the broader neuromodulation and epilepsy communities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law. UCSF is committed to welcoming and serving all people, honoring the dignity of every individual without preference or prejudice, in support of its public mission and in alignment with our PRIDE values and Principles of Community.

San Francisco, CA