Unique humanitarian/research organization seeks to recruit for Research Assistant in Neuroscience
The Project Prakash Center is looking for a full-time research assistant to begin work ASAP. Project Prakash (www.projectprakash.org) is an initiative started at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA by Prof. Pawan Sinha, with the aim of treating blind children while seeking to understand the processes by which these children recover vision. It is a three-pronged approach, combining research on visual learning and brain development, with a humanitarian effort to relieve treatable childhood blindness and educational goals for intervention and integration of the newly sighted children as independent and productive members of their community. The Project Prakash Center is located at Dr. Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital, Daryaganj, Delhi. This is where children receive cataract-removal surgical treatment and research investigating how they learn and develop visually directed functional skills, language and communication, is conducted.
Our team is growing, and every month we are finding more kids whose lives we can change. As such, we are seeking a devoted candidate for the following position:
Research Assistant in Neuroscience:
The research assistant’s role will be focused on collection and management of data on behavioral experiments. As such, the role requires a basic understanding of empirical design and analysis, close interaction with research teams based both at MIT and IIT-Delhi, and sometimes daily interaction with the kids. The candidate will also work closely with the outreach and medical team to coordinate patient categorization, schedules, and general well-being of the patients. The candidates would also be involved in neuroimaging studies from time to time. The job requires some local travel in New Delhi, though most of the work is on site at Shroff Charity Hospital Candidates should be creative, driven and eager to work with kids, have a strong interest in vision and cognitive sciences and must be independent and resourceful self-learners. Must have good organizational, computer and technical troubleshooting skills, and an interest in further learning and implementing behavioral and neuroimaging studies for understanding development and learning in the human visual system. For particularly strong candidates, combining the position with graduate studies in IIT Delhi is a potential option. They will get to closely interact with, an be mentored by leading researchers in the US and India and doing exciting and life changing translational research that directly impacts many lives. The job would provide many learning opportunities for experimental design and analysis.
Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree preferably in Psychology, Neuroscience, Cognitive Science is required. Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in related fields such as Life Sciences, Social Work, Sociology, Linguistics, Computer Science are also encouraged to apply. Candidates with M.A. or Ph.D. can also be considered. Strong interpersonal skills are necessary for working with children and coordinating between multiple teams, as well as flexibility and careful attention to detail. Candidates should have strong computer and troubleshooting skills, literacy with programs such as Microsoft Word and Excel required and at least basic knowledge of matlab and/or python strongly preferred. Fluency and ability to communicate both orally and in writing in Hindi and English is a must. Previous research experience and willingness to make a one to two year commitment are preferred. Flexible schedule with willingness to work overtime when necessary (during child visits) and at odd hours (for communication with U.S. team) a must.
We are a small organization with people from varying backgrounds working collaboratively and every person in our team is extremely passionate about the mission and willing to step outside their specific role when necessary. Candidate must love working with children and strongly believe in organization’s mission. Daily work and coordination required with multiple people, so patience, good interpersonal skills, and flexibility are required daily and highly appreciated. We look forward to meeting you.
Please email a short description of your skills and interests and a CV to gupta.priti.84@gmail.com with a CC to shlomit@mit.edu and sharongu@mit.edu.
