Neural Electrophysiology Research Engineer; MS​/PhD Level

Neural Electrophysiology Research Engineer (MS/PhD Level)

Direct message the job poster from Dartmouth Human

X Lab

Professor of Computer Science | Founder, Chairman @ Earable Neuroscience | Human Brain Performance Optimizer

Low-Noise Signal Acquisition for Brain Organoids

📍 Dartmouth Campus (On-site, or hybrid if the candidate ensures the required research condition)

This role is not a general EE internship.

We are looking for a hands‑on neural electrophysiology engineer who has already worked with low‑noise bio‑signal acquisition and can confidently answer: “Is this noise, or is this biology — and why?”

If you have personally debugged grounding, shielding, and artifact issues in MEA, EEG, ECoG, EMG, or similar systems, this role is likely a strong fit.

If you are looking to learn electrophysiology from scratch, this role will not be a good match.

Human

X Lab is building a system that interfaces living neural tissue (brain organoids) with electronics to record and stimulate neural activity. Signals of interest are in the microvolt range, recorded in wet, electrically noisy biological environments. The core challenge is signal integrity, not software abstraction.

• MEA & Acquisition System Ownership
  • Configure and operate MEA systems (e.g., Intan RHD, MCS MEA, or equivalent)
  • Interface MEA hardware with acquisition software
  • Design electrode contact and impedance measurement procedures
  • Optimize organoid–electrode coupling for stable recordings
• Noise Reduction & Signal Integrity (Core Focus)
  • Identify and eliminate: 50/60 Hz line noise; ground loops; EMI; motion artifacts; electrode polarization effects
  • Implement grounding, shielding, and cabling strategies in wet labs
  • Design or adapt Faraday cages / shielded enclosures as needed
  • Tune filters, gain, and bandwidth for neural signals
• Signal Validation & Interpretation
  • Perform spike detection and basic signal processing
  • Calculate SNR and signal quality metrics
  • Distinguish neural activity from artifacts with confidence
  • Identify bursting, oscillations, and network‑level patterns
  • Troubleshoot impedance issues
  • Evaluate electrode coatings or surface modifications (if needed)
  • Maximize the number of active recording channels
• Documentation & SOPs
  • Create SOPs for MEA setup and calibration; grounding/shielding workflows; noise troubleshooting & signal quality benchmarks
  • Document “failure modes” and fixes for future lab members
• System Integration
  • Collaborate with mechanical engineers on perfusion integration
  • Design electrical interfaces compatible with fluidic environments
  • Ensure proper cable routing, connectors, and waterproofing

• Education – Currently enrolled MS or PhD student in Electrical Engineering, Biomedical/Neural Engineering, Neuroscience, or a related field with a strong engineering background.
• Hands‑On Experience
  • Direct, personal experience with at least two of: MEA recordings, EEG/EMG/ECoG/similar bio‑signal acquisition, in‑vitro or in‑vivo electrophysiology, low‑noise analog circuit design for bio‑signals
  • Comfortable with oscilloscopes, signal analysis tools, grounding and shielding theory/practice, and working around biological samples in wet labs
• Strongly Preferred
  • Prior neural recordings from cell cultures, brain slices, organoids, or animals
  • Experience with low‑noise analog front ends (AFE)
  • Electrode impedance characterization
  • Spike sorting or LFP analysis
  • Familiarity with common electrophysiology artifacts vs biological signals

• Competitive hourly pay (aligned with Thayer MS/PhD research standards)
• Authorship opportunities on publications & patents (performance‑based)
• Deep, hands‑on ownership of a publishable neural system
• Direct mentorship from PI and co‑PIs
• Exposure to cutting‑edge organoid + neural engineering research
• Potential pathway to: extended research role, full‑time research engineer or PhD, or entrepreneurial spin‑out

Email cihost with:

• CV / Resume (highlight hands‑on electrophysiology work)
• What neural or bio‑signal systems have you personally worked on?
• Describe one noise or artifact problem you debugged and how you solved it.
• Why are you interested in brain organoid research?
• Availability (start date + hours/week)
• Optional but strongly encouraged:
  Signal traces; analysis code; circuit diagrams; technical reports.

Subject line: “EE/Neural Eng Intern – Electrophysiology – [Your Name]”

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