Careers @ MSU

Position Summary(Basic Job Function)

This is a temporary or an on-call position. Provides professional support. Responsibilities may include general business, science, medical, agricultural or other professional support functions. Term: Temps can work two (2) nine (9) month terms with a week break in service in between and at the end of the second term terminate for three (3) months or switch to an on-call. On-Call allowed to work 1039 hours in any twelve (12) month period.

Unit Position Summary

The lab of Dr. Grace Smith-Vidaurre at Michigan State University is hiring a research technician with expertise in scoring animal behavior observations. The technician will help the lab score videos of songbirds using the BORIS software for video coding and an ethogram developed by the lab. The manually scored behavioral observations will be used to validate an automated method for behavioral scoring based on movement sensors. The technician will be expected to work at least 10 hours per week on video scoring, and to complete the video scoring within a reasonable timeframe (2 months). The technician will be encouraged to contribute to a methods manuscript that includes the manually scored behavioral observations in a validation analysis, but authorship on the manuscript will depend on satisfactory and timely completion of the manual video scoring, as well as regularly participating in manuscript reviewing and editing prior to submission. The technician will be expected to communicate regularly with Dr. Grace Smith-Vidaurre about video scoring progress and to share files with behavioral observations regularly throughout the video scoring.

General research in the Smith-Vidaurre Lab focuses on how socially learned vocalizations are used to communicate identity information, and how brain regions for producing learned vocalizations may be sensitive to the early-life environment. The lab is part of the Department of Integrative Biology and the Department of Computational Mathematics, Science, and Engineering. We expect that lab members will contribute to creating a collaborative and interdisciplinary work culture. We are committed to building an inclusive work environment and creating equitable access to research opportunities for a diverse group of scientists at different career stages. The Smith-Vidaurre Lab is also committed to supporting lab members with opportunities for intellectual growth and professional development towards their academic or non-academic career goals.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

1. A paragraph that describes your interest in this position, as well as your relevant previous experiences and skillset that qualifies you for this position
2. Your resume or CV
3. Names, phone numbers, and email addresses for two professional references

For more information, please contact Dr. Grace Smith-Vidaurre (smithvid@msu.edu) with the subject line " Questions about Video Scoring Technician 2024 ".

Work Hours

Variable

Website

integrativebiology.natsci.msu.edu