Application Scientist I – Allen Institute for Neural Dynamics

The mission of the Allen Institute is to unlock the complexities of bioscience and advance our knowledge to improve human health. Using an open science, multi-scale, team-oriented approach, the Allen Institute focuses on accelerating foundational research, developing standards and models, and cultivating new ideas to make a broad, transformational impact on science.

The mission of the Allen Institute for Neural Dynamics (AIND) is to answer fundamental questions about brain function. Specifically, how does our brain build our understanding of the complex world around us to guide the flexible behaviors that address our biological needs? The answers will be in terms of defined neuron types interacting across the whole brain and body, requiring us to develop next-generation neurotechnologies and employ a team-based approach for discovery neuroscience. Knowledge, data, and tools will be widely shared, in part to support the development of therapies for brain disorders.

We are seeking an Application Scientist to work with our team to develop and implement workshops, training materials, and data challenges. We run a range of workshops, including short (~4 hour) “hackathons” where scientists are introduced to new data we are collecting, 1-2 day events digging deeper into more mature data, and multi-week courses where participants carry out computational neuroscience projects using Allen Institute data. These events are primarily targeting graduate students and postdocs in the neuroscience field to highlight our neurophysiology (including electrophysiology and optical physiology), behavior, and light sheet anatomical data. In addition to running workshops, we seek to make materials including tutorials, demos, etc., publicly available so that scientists can engage with the data and tools that we are generating. The Application Scientist will be involved in preparing materials and running many of these workshops as well as creating and curating didactic material to share more broadly. This includes creating Jupyter notebooks using Python to teach how to access, interact with, and analyze neuroscience data, contributing to written documentation of our resources, and preparing talks and recorded videos about these materials. The ideal candidate will have experience analyzing neural data as well as teaching graduate level scientists (either formally or informally).

The Allen Institute believes that team science significantly benefits from the participation of diverse voices, experiences, and backgrounds. High-quality science can only be produced when it includes different perspectives. We are committed to increasing diversity across every team and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for this role.

Essential Functions

• Develop workshop materials, including Jupyter notebooks and slide presentations, to train scientists to use our data and tools
• Organize and run workshops ranging from ~4 hour hackathons to multi-day events
• Create tutorials and technical documentation
• Collaborate with scientists to develop and implement data challenges
• Monitor community forum to answer or redirect questions from workshop participants and other users

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Ph.D. or equivalent combination of degree and experience in a life science discipline
• Python experience, including computational analysis

Preferred Education and Experience

• Teaching experience
• Experience with version control software (e.g., Git) and continuous integration workflows
• Positive attitude, self-motivated, and ability to troubleshoot
• Ability to work independently and within a collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment to meet aggressive timelines
• Enthusiasm for neuroscience, open science, and education
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

Work Environment

• Working in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to lasers, biohazards

Physical Demands

• Occasional lifting to 30 pounds
• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment; repetitive motion with lab equipment
• Stooping, bending, crouching

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This role is currently working onsite and is expected to work onsite for the majority of working hours. The primary work location for this role is Allen Institute campus, with flexibility to work remotely on a limited basis. We are a Washington State employer; any remote work must be performed in Washington State.

Additional Comments

• **Please note, this opportunity provides work visa sponsorship**
• **Please note, this opportunity offers relocation assistance**

Annualized Salary Range

• $77,250 - $103,000 *

* Final salary depends on required education for the role, experience, and level of skills relevant to the role, along with work location, where applicable.

Benefits

• Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.