Career Center

The Pereira and Azim laboratories at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies are seeking a Research Assistant I to be a member of our teams focused on cutting-edge research in computational and behavioral neuroscience through the development and implementation of behavioral monitoring systems and analysis. The Research Assistant I will have the unique opportunity to work at the intersection of neuroscience and artificial intelligence, utilizing the latest technologies to extract quantitative measures of unrestrained behavior over timescales of the lifetime of the animals. They will assist with implementation of the hardware and software pipelines to produce multi-terabyte-scale datasets at unprecedented resolution. Working closely with software engineers and computer scientists, they will implement data analysis pipelines capable of scaling to thousands of hours of high-resolution behavior quantified using deep learning. Simultaneously, working closely with neurobiologists, they will identify key behavioral metrics that will be used to characterize neural mechanisms and disease progression in various models of disease, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Competitive candidates for this position will have basic experience with Python-based data analysis, a strong interest in behavior and neuroscience, and an eagerness to learn the computational and analytical techniques required to conduct this research.

We STRONGLY recommend that applicants provide a link to their GitHub profile with examples of their previous programming experience to receive full consideration (including previous research code or class projects).

Essential Functions

• (100%) Research and Lab Support
  • Carries out tasks pertaining to hardware assembly of behavioral monitoring systems.
  • Carries out tasks pertaining to data annotation, and development and implementation of computational pipelines in Python.
  • Carries out guided data analysis tasks to extract and visualize patterns from high-dimensional and large-scale behavioral data.
  • Participates in team meetings to discuss project progress.
  • May coordinate with other Salk labs and In Vivo Scientific Services.
  • May assist with supervision of undergraduate students and other lab members.
  • May perform additional duties as required.

EXPERIENCE

Required

• No professional experience required with relevant degree

Preferred:

• At least one previous full-time research experience such as summer internship (~3 months) or sustained academic year research engagement (6+ months).
• Experience with research involving rodent behavioral data.

EDUCATION 

Required

• Bachelor's degree in neuroscience, physics, computer science, bioinformatics, or related field required.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Required

• Basic to intermediate programming experience in Python.
• Basic experience with data analysis and visualization, including associated tools and frameworks (e.g., Jupyter Lab, numpy, scipy, matplotlib, pandas, etc.).
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and
• Strong interpersonal skills, including tact, diplomacy, and

Preferred:

• Proficiency with data science and deep learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Jax).
• Experience with behavioral analysis software (e.g., SLEAP, MoSeq, JAABA, SimBA, A-SOiD, BENTO, MARS, Anipose, BORIS, etc.)
• Experience with behavioral monitoring systems (e.g., machine vision cameras, video acquisition software, synchronization, RFIDs)
• Basic experience handling mice (applicants will have the option, but will not be required to, work with animals)

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must be willing to work in an animal-related research
• Must be willing to work an adjusted schedule to support research
• Successful completion of the Institute’s background
• Willing to sign a confidentiality agreement

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/MENTAL ACTIVITIES/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS\

The incumbent in this position will be constantly adjusting focus, grasping, handling, hearing, keying, seeing, sitting, analyzing, communicating, reading, reasoning, and working indoors.

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces diverse perspectives and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)