Laboratory Technician

About the role

Smith College is seeking a Lab Technician with a strong background in human movement analysis and neuroimaging techniques to support a 3-year, NIH-funded research study combining human movement science and cognitive neuroscience to assess postural control and fatigue. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in managing daily lab operations, study coordination, supervision of undergraduate students, and facilitating complex protocols involving concurrent biomechanical and neuroimaging (fNIRS) assessments. Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the setup, operation, and synchronization of neuroimaging hardware with biomechanical equipment (force plates, motion capture systems, surface electromyography).
• Manage participant recruitment, schedule lab visits, screen candidates against inclusion/exclusion criteria, and administer informed consent procedures.
• Execute high-level data collection protocols with human participants and manage primary processing, artifact removal, and data analysis for neuroimaging and kinematic data sets.
• Oversee Institutional Review Board (IRB) documentation, amendments, safety compliance, and standard operating procedures.
• Oversee equipment calibration, troubleshoot hardware/software issues, manage supplies and ordering, and supervise student research assistants.
• Coordinate with principal investigator to design experimental paradigms, write technical reports, and assist with grant or manuscript preparation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Human Neuroscience, or Biomedical Engineering and 1 to 5 years of experience.
• Knowledge of Motion Capture and/or Neuroimaging Techniques.
• Experience with motion capture or neuroimaging software.
• Experience with data analysis software (including Matlab or Python).
• Exceptional organizational, multi-tasking, and problem-solving abilities; strong interpersonal skills for working effectively with diverse research populations and colleagues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate Degree in Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Human Neuroscience, or Biomedical Engineering.
• Knowledge of: Kinematics, Kinetics, Electromyography, Neuroimaging Techniques.
• Proficiency in data analysis software and programming languages commonly used for neuroimaging and signal processing (e.g., MATLAB, Python, Psychopy, Satori, Homer3).
• Strong working knowledge of motion analysis or physiological recording software.

Pay

Annualized pay for this role is typically between $47,875.16 - $64,772.28, covering the middle half of market compensation. Actual compensation will vary based on individual qualifications and work schedule if less than full-time.

Schedule

This is a fixed-term position.

About Smith College

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.