Student Research Assistant, Dolphin Behavior and Brainwaves

Description

The goal of this project is to better understand how dolphins learn from hearing and requires the development of novel research methods. The trainee will assist in the design of research experiments and the validation of testing equipment. Task protocols may be piloted in humans before being applied to dolphins.

Examples of Duties

* Record and analyze EEG data from humans in the Comparative Sensorimotor lab in Pritzker and from dolphins as opportunistically available.

* Assist behavioral experiment sessions at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, under the direction of the Principal Investigator.

* Build a processing pipeline to extract time series from on-animal data loggers with acoustic, inertial, acceleration, and/or electrophysiological signals.

* Read literature to develop a testing protocol and discuss ideas with experienced research professionals

* Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

* Advanced coursework in undergraduate-level neurophysiology & scientific computation.

* Coursework in graduate-level neuroanatomy.

* Must be in good academic standing.

Preferred Qualifications

* Familiarity with dolphin EEG and acoustic data

* Experience with digital signal processing in Python

* Interest in learning about data collection in dolphins