Technical Assistant

Vanderbilt University seeks a Technical Assistant to support a research project in the neuroimaging and
optical engineering space. The person in this role will support activities in electronics, human factors/softgoods and humans subjects validation and repeatability testing. Successful candidates are self-motivated
and demonstrate a history of careful, structured work, excellent documentation, and the ability to work
under guidance with some independence while coordinating closely with lab members, the PI,
collaborators, and other resources on campus. In addition to technical responsibilities, some
administrative responsibilities will be expected as well.

Vanderbilt University is a globally recognized research institution committed to advancing knowledge and
improving lives through discovery, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The role is based within
Vanderbilt’s Bowden Biomedical Optics Lab, run by Professor Audrey Bowden in the Department of
Biomedical Engineering.

Duties and Responsibilities

Research Project Coordination

• Initiate tasks based on project goals and meeting action items.
• Track to-dos; maintain prototype/version logs (electronics and enclosure revisions).
• Draft brief progress updates, meeting summaries, and internal memos.

 

Research Support

• Assist with electronics prototype development; maintain configuration and test logs.
• Perform relevant testing to validate electronics performance and identify quality issues.
• Support structured in-lab testing for signal quality, consistency, and placement repeatability
  (including organized data capture and metadata tracking).

 

Effective Operation of the Lab

• Maintain orderly workspaces, instruments, and documentation; follow lab safety and required
  trainings.
• Recognize problems and suggest solutions; assist in modifications and improvements to
  protocols/test setups.

 

Administration of the Lab

• Coordinate scheduling for bench testing and (as assigned) validation sessions; manage supplies and basic procurement needs consistent with University policies and grant guidelines.
• Organize de-identified data storage, file naming, and backups to support accurate reporting and
  reproducibility.

 

Other Duties

• Support preparation of figures/tables for internal reports and presentations; perform additional
  related tasks as assigned.
   

Supervisory Relationships: This position does not have supervisory responsibilities and reports directly to the project MPI (or designee).

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering (or closely related field) is required.
• Entry-level (0–2 years) research or hands-on prototyping/testing experience preferred (capstone, lab, internship) is required.
• Experience with careful documentation (lab notebook/ELN), structured testing, and data organization is necessary.
• Strong communication and organizational skills; exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to work precisely and structurally, independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Comfort learning new equipment/workflows quickly; troubleshooting mindset.
• Experience with one or more of the following preferred: benchtop electronics testing, sensor systems, MATLAB/Python/Excel for plots and basic statistics, CAD or prototype assembly, human-subject study support workflows (role-appropriate training provided/required).

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employme