Research Technician - Gonzalez Lab

About the role

This is a hands-on research position for someone who is motivated by both engineering and biology . The Research Technician will help run experiments, care for and handle birds, build and maintain experimental systems, collect and organize behavioral and neural data, and contribute to analysis workflows. The role is well suited for an applicant who enjoys troubleshooting real systems [cameras, microphones, neural recording hardware, behavioral rigs, electronics, 3D-printed parts, and analysis code] and who wants direct exposure to modern systems neuroscience rather than a narrowly defined coding or bench-only position. The technician will work across multiple projects. Early responsibilities will focus on birdsong and sleep experiments, including behavioral recording, audio/video acquisition, electrophysiology support, and development of analysis pipelines. Over time, the role may also include support for human EEG studies of natural speech. The position requires reliability, careful documentation, respect for animal welfare and research compliance, and the ability to learn new tools quickly. What we provide: -A creative neuroscience lab studying vocal communication, sleep, social behavior, and neural dynamics. -Direct training in animal behavior, experimental design, neural recording, stimulation, imaging, data analysis, and research operations. -Opportunities to build custom tools using 3D printing, CNC machining, electronics, microcontrollers, audio/video synchronization, and computer-controlled behavioral systems. -State-of-the-art resources, including high-density electrophysiology, advanced optical imaging, confocal and light sheet microscopy, and high-capacity computational analysis. -A lab culture that values initiative, technical rigor, careful record keeping, collaboration, and responsible use of modern software tools. -A highly interdisciplinary research environment at UCSF, with connections to neuroscience, engineering, computation, behavior, and clinical questions related to speech and movement. -A Bay Area location with competitive salary and access to San Francisco, the coast, and Silicon Valley.