• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building: Jerome L. Greene Science Center
• Salary Range: $105,000 - $150,000

Position Summary

Columbia University's Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute brings together world-class scientists across academic disciplines conducting pioneering research to transform our understanding of how the brain works - and gives rise to mind and behavior. The Institute fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment across 50+ labs, advancing insights into human health by exploring how the brain develops, performs, endures and recovers. We bring together engineers, computational Neuroscientists, experimental researchers, phycologists and scholars from across the University to transform how we think about our brains, our minds and ourselves.

At the Zuckerman Institute, we are committed to becoming a more inclusive, equitable and diverse place of scientific discovery and support a culture of respect. Promoting diversity in science will help drive the transformative science that can change the world.

Situated in the Jerome L. Greene Science Center on Columbia's Manhattanville campus, the state-of-the-art building offers an environment where the highest level of scholarly scientific research takes place on a daily basis, with the benefit of being located in the heart of New York, one of the world's most vibrant and culturally rich cities.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Scientific Platforms, Shared Resources and Advanced Instrumentation, the R&D Electro-Mechanical Engineer will be responsible for designing, developing, implementing and providing technical support to advance research at the Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute.

The Engineer will work closely and collaboratively with senior engineers and researchers within the Zuckerman Institute. The position requires independent thinking, creativity and desire to develop novel technical devices and tools.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Designs, develops, assembles, integrates, tests, and optimizes simple to complex systems for neurobiological research.
• Develop robust systems that can be distributed and replicated at multiple sites.
• Creates detailed documentation.
• Assists with interpretation of project requirements from Zuckerman Institute research groups on short and long-term projects. Translates the requirements into mechanical, electrical or electromechanical concepts, designs and plans.
• Executes designs in a CAD environment and perform design analysis, as needed.
• Coordinates activities within tasks and projects ensuring all objectives are met according to performance, cost and delivery estimates; tracks costs of labor and materials, reports these to a work order management system.
• Works collaboratively with external departments and other university affiliates.
• Provides support to other instrument development projects, as needed. Must be flexible and a quick learner as the role will be provided verbal instructions and required to document solutions.
• Suggests new, additional or complementary equipment and machinery for use by the team.
• Required to possess a high level of attention to detail while emphasizing excellence and innovation.
• Analyzes scientific equipment to diagnoses trouble or malfunctions and makes necessary adjustments to minimize service interruptions and equipment downtime.
• Uses secondary operations equipment such as electric and manual hand tools, drill press, etc.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S in Mechanical Engineering/Electronics/Physics/Neuroscience/Bioengineering/Biomedical Engineering.
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience.
• Demonstrable experience in instrumentation development for neurobiological research.
• Incumbent is expected to perform the following physical movements periodically:
  • lift and/or carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • reach and grasp with arms and hands; stoop and bend.
  • stand and/or sit for long periods of time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in instrumentation development for neurobiological research is highly desired. Manufacturing parts to specifications is highly desired. Prior experience with electronics is highly desired.
• The successful candidate must be flexible in nature, have a sound judgment with a collaborative style that fosters teamwork and cooperation beyond the immediate team to the broader organization. Must have a passion for science, excellent communication and customer service skills, high level of attention to detail and a commitment to exceptional quality in work.