Systems Engineer (Research and Development Scientist and Engineer 2)

Stanford University is launching an interdisciplinary Neuro-AI project dedicated to building a foundation model of the brain. This endeavor will involve multiple labs and faculty across the Stanford campus, including the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford Bio-X, and the Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Institute. Leveraging cutting-edge advances in electrophysiology and machine learning, this project aims to create a functional "digital twin" — a model that captures both the activity dynamics of the brain at cellular resolution and the intelligent behavior it generates, including perception, motor planning, learning, reasoning, and problem-solving.

This ambitious initiative promises to offer unprecedented insights into the brain's algorithms of perception and cognition while serving as a key resource for aligning artificial intelligence models with human-like neural representations. As part of this project, we are seeking talented Systems Engineers with an extensive background in implementing and maintaining experimental setups used to run large-scale neuroscience experiments. Ideal candidates will have several years of practical experience in building and running multi-modal experimental setups, including implementation of state-machines, the synchronization of different data modalities (such as visual stimulation with eye tracking), and large-scale electrophysiology techniques. Additionally, candidates should exhibit a strong background in quantitative fields such as Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, or Computer Science.

This position promises a vibrant and cooperative atmosphere within the laboratories of Andreas Tolias (https://toliaslab.org), Tirin Moore (https://www.moorelabstanford.com) and other labs at Stanford University renowned for their expertise in perception, cognition, pioneering neural recording techniques, computational neuroscience, machine learning, and Neuro-AI research.

Role & Responsibilities:

Work together with a team dedicated to developing novel stimulus and behavioral paradigms, as well as large-scale Neuropixels recordings, for experiments in head-fixed behaving animal species beyond current state-of-the-art methods.Build and maintain multi-modal experimental setups, including integration of hardware components (e.g. eye/face/body cameras, widefield stereo displays, binocular eye trackers, head-stages for electrophysiology, high precision timing, photodiodes and relays) and software components (e.g. LabVIEW, OpenEphys, Kilosort), the latter in collaboration with Software Engineers.Work together with other teams of the Enigma Project to ensure efficient, large-scale, industry-level quality of experiments.* - Other duties may also be assigned
 DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

PhD, Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, or a related field.2-3 years of practical experience in building and running experimental neuro-behavioral and/or neuro-physiological paradigms.Expertise in implementing hardware and software components for such experiments including concepts of state-machines, real-time high throughput data acquisition and storage, signal processing, visual stimulus presentation, and high resolution eye trackingProficiency in LabVIEW, Matlab, and Python.Experience with National Instrument hardware.Experience with designing databases in Python/MySQL for big data.Experience with problem-solving and engineering solutions for large-scale experiments in neuroscience.Experience with networking and cloud storage.Responsibilities

Core Duties:

• Provide leadership and scientific expertise in the planning andimplementation of major projects, services, facilities, andactivities.

• Develop advanced technological ideas, and guide their developmentinto a final product or new approaches to research. Carry out complex orunique assignments important to the advancement of the field.

• Provide expert consultation and collaboration regarding technicalrequirements, capabilities, and advancement opportunities; makesubstantive contributions in diverse technical areas.

• Provide technical direction to other research staff, engineeringassociates, technicians, and/or students; facilitate workshops anddemonstrations on research methods; educate and train users on researchmethodology and effective tools and techniques.

• Contribute to or co-author published articles, presentations, orscientific papers; identify research and development fundingopportunities.

• Supervise staff and resources to meet programobjectives.

Minimum Education andExperience

Bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience, orcombination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Expert knowledge of the principles of engineering and relatednatural sciences.

• Demonstrated project leadership experience.

• Demonstrated experience leading and/or managing technicalprofessionals.