Research Assistant

Columbia University Irving Medical Center is hiring a Research Assistant to support the R61 project on decoded fMRI neurofeedback for auditory verbal hallucinations in schizophrenia. The role maintains DecNef and real-time fMRI pipelines, runs neurofeedback training sessions, analyzes neuroimaging data, and contributes to research documentation and related activities.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and optimize real-time fMRI (rt-fMRI) data transfer and Decoded Neurofeedback (DecNef) data processing pipelines using Python, MATLAB, and Shell scripting
• Ensure high-speed, high-accuracy real-time fMRI data preprocessing required for target brain pattern decoding
• Maintain technical infrastructure, ensure software stability, enforce data integrity, and establish standardized, reproducible preprocessing workflows
• Conducting decoder construction, supporting and running DecNef training sessions, performing neuroimaging data analysis
• Apply multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA), machine learning, and deep learning algorithms to construct, validate, and fine-tune decoder models using fMRI datasets
• Prepare, manage, and independently run real-time neurofeedback training sessions with research participants
• Monitor participant safety, manage scan compliance, troubleshoot scanner-to-pipeline data transfers, and execute post-scan neuroimaging data processing
• Assist in drafting technical documentation, grant reports, method sections for publications, and conference presentations
• Perform related administrative, laboratory, and collaborative duties as requested
• Other Duties as assigned

Preferred

• Excellent programming and data analysis skills with extensive experience in python, Matlab, and shell
• High degree of self-organization and independent work
• Team spirit, reliability, and sense of responsibility
• Experience Machine learning, statistics, programming (both Python and Matlab), neuroimaging data processing and analysis, knowledge of neuroscience
• MA in statistics, Data Science, Computer Science, or related discipline
• Programming
• Data Analysis
• Python
• MATLAB
• Shell Scripting
• Machine Learning
• Statistics
• Neuroimaging Data Processing
• Neuroimaging Data Analysis
• Neuroscience
• Self-Organization
• Independent Work
• Teamwork
• Reliability
• Sense of Responsibility

Company

• Academic medical center providing patient care, research, and education.
• New York, New York, USA
• https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/
• Founded in 1767
• 10001+ employees

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least one and one-half years of related experience or equivalent in education, training and experience
• Successful completion of HIPAA and systems trainings
• Excellent programming and data analysis skills with extensive experience in python, Matlab, and shell
• High degree of self-organization and independent work
• Team spirit, reliability, and sense of responsibility
• Experience Machine learning, statistics, programming (both Python and Matlab), neuroimaging data processing and analysis, knowledge of neuroscience
• MA in statistics, Data Science, Computer Science, or related discipline

Required skills

• MATLAB, Machine learning, Neuroimaging data processing and analysis, Neuroscience, Python, Shell scripting, Statistics

Preferred skills

• (250), (328), (329), (368), (404), *2026, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 3.5, 60, Accounting and Finance, Customer Service and Support, Data Powered by, Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship, Education and Training, Engineering and Development, Glassdoor, H1B Sponsorship, High degree of self-organization and independent work, Legal and Compliance, Management and Executive, Marketing, New York, New York, USA, Represents job field similar to this job, Team spirit, reliability, and sense of responsibility, Trends of Total Sponsorships, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu

Experience

• 1+ years