Research Support Associate 1, Tsai Lab

Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is seeking a Research Support Associate 1 to assist in assembling, testing, programming, and maintaining custom research devices for neuroscience and clinical studies. The role involves hands-on electronics work, including soldering small pins and components, and contributing to device troubleshooting and documentation.

Work hours are limited to a maximum of 10 hours per week.

Qualifications

• REQUIRED : High school education or equivalent; strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills; basic knowledge of general laboratory practices and procedures; and ability to independently learn new procedures and technical skills from written documentation and SOPs.
• PREFERRED : Bachelor of Science in an engineering field; experience with hardware and software development or troubleshooting; demonstrated initiative and ability to work with minimal supervision; strong critical thinking skills and a proactive approach to identifying and solving problems; excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong organizational skills and attention to detail; experience maintaining accurate technical documentation and records; ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team; and experience interpreting technical schematics, wiring diagrams, or engineering drawings.

Responsibilities

• Support development, assembly, testing, programming, and maintenance of custom research devices used in neuroscience and clinical research studies.
• Solder components and assemble devices, troubleshoot hardware and software, and document technical work.

Skills

Soldering

Electronics assembly

Hardware troubleshooting

Software troubleshooting

Technical documentation

Laboratory practices

Independent learning

Communication

Education

BS in engineering

Tools

Schematics interpretation

Job description

Posting Description

RESEARCH SUPPORT ASSOCIATE 1, Picower Institute for Learning & Memory, (up to 10 hours/week) to support the development, assembly, testing, programming, and maintenance of custom research devices used in neuroscience and clinical research studies. This role involves hands-on work assembling small electronic devices, including speakers and units that deliver patterned light and sound stimulation. Responsibilities include soldering components of varying sizes, ranging from larger speaker assemblies to precise soldering of small pins and components used in research devices. This position includes electronics assembly, device programming, hardware and software troubleshooting, quality control, and technical documentation.

The full job description is available here: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:2032a07b-2388-458d-9f72-6baa49bb6033

Job Requirements

• REQUIRED : High school education or equivalent; strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills; basic knowledge of general laboratory practices and procedures; and ability to independently learn new procedures and technical skills from written documentation and SOPs.
• PREFERRED : Bachelor of Science in an engineering field; experience with hardware and software development or troubleshooting; demonstrated initiative and ability to work with minimal supervision; strong critical thinking skills and a proactive approach to identifying and solving problems; excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong organizational skills and attention to detail; experience maintaining accurate technical documentation and records; ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team; and experience interpreting technical schematics, wiring diagrams, or engineering drawings.

Work hours are limited to a maximum of 10 hours per week.

10/16/2026