Research Analyst / Engineer

The University of Washington, Mechanical Engineering Department (UW ME) and the Center for Limb Loss and MoBility (CLiMB) at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle, WA have an opening for a research analyst / engineer. This position is available immediately and will remain open until a suitable candidate has been found.

The primary duty of this position it to play a support role in data documentation, organization, and analysis. Secondary roles include technical writing and engineering support. The ideal candidate will work within a research engineering team to complete overall project goals for capturing, processing and interpreting research data and results. To support this role, the ideal candidate will have experience managing and analyzing research laboratory datasets based on research protocols and regulatory approval; as well as having experience and interest in technical writing ranging from manuscript preparation assistance to regulatory (e.g. IRB, local R&D research) document preparation.

Responsibilities:
  • Working with existing data sets to analyze and process (some use of existing Matlab analysis software, some need for custom development of visualizations, image segmentation of CT scans) in preparation of statistical analysis (performed by other team members).
  • Working alongside team members to collect new data (kinematics from various imaging sources, material behavior from materials testing machines, imaging) for both human and non-human studies; typically relating to lower extremity musculoskeletal biomechanics and amputation.
  • Building organizational schemes for data (raw data, processed kinematics, imaging) in a variety of formats (.xls, matlab, dicom) to aid in longer term storage and tracking of data. Note that this role does not require background in professional programming and formal statistical modeling, existing team members will lead those endeavors.
  • Working with a software developer to provide feedback, requirements and for “test driving” semi-/automated data analysis modules.
  • Working with hospital datasets for data mining and research justification purposes; as well as for identification of potential research participants and assisting with their recruitment.
  • Working in biomechanics laboratories which include optical and x-ray based limb motion tracking, materials testing systems, and related equipment.
Additional benefits relating to professional development:
  • Opportunities for becoming project staff lead on pilot investigations.
  • Opportunities for authorship in manuscript development.
  • Potential experience with human subject studies and/or product development.
  • Potential experience gains with research instrumentation and methodology.
Requirements. The successful candidate will have:
  • Excellent problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent independence, initiative, and self-sufficiency (candidate will become the subject matter expert on various facets of these projects as well as data management in the laboratory overall)
  • Demonstrated experience with complex data management and analysis, ideally related to research and development.
  • Strong competency with the MATLAB programming language (learning/using existing laboratory algorithms and developing new ones).
  • Strong oral and written communication skills as they will be working with the principal investigator to submit peer-reviewed articles, grant and regulatory applications.
  • This position requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering, computer science or mathematical discipline and 1+ years of work experience in a relevant field.
  • Authorization to work in the U.S.
Additional:
  • Prior experience working in this specific field (musculoskeletal biomechanics) is not necessary and developing this background can be on-the-job training.
  • As noted, the successful candidate will work on teams with both a professional programmer and biostatistician, as well as with biomechanics research engineers in collaborative environments.
The annual salary range for this position is approximately $57,000 – $71,000 depending on qualifications.

Qualified applicants should send a cover letter discussing the above qualifications (also briefly describing how this position supports their overall career trajectory) and curriculum vitae with contact information for 3 professional references to:

Joseph M Iaquinto, PhD
Research Biomedical Engineer
Center for Limb Loss and MoBility (CLiMB)
VA Puget Sound, Seattle WA
jmiaqu@uw.edu