Research Scientist, Biomedical Engineering

The Electrical Engineer / Research Scientist will lead the design, development, characterization, and maintenance of wearable biomedical optical instruments for brain imaging and peripheral sensing research. The role spans analog and digital circuit design, PCB layout, FPGA and embedded firmware, sensor and camera systems, and integration of optical and electronic subsystems into compact wearable packages. The successful candidate must be self-driven and capable of largely independent work. Interested candidates should email David Boas (dboas@bu.edu) with a resume and a cover letter indicating (1) qualifications related to this position and (2) a short description of one of their prior circuit designs. 

 

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design and validate mixed-signal electronic circuits for wearable instruments, from schematic through fabrication and bring-up.
• Develop FPGA firmware (VHDL/Verilog) and embedded C firmware for real-time data acquisition and instrument control.
• Develop unit tests and test benches.
• Characterize sensors, cameras, and optical front-ends (photodetectors, SiPM, lasers/LEDs) for low-noise, low-light performance.
• Integrate optics, electronics, and firmware into compact, deployable wearable systems; support other modalities (e.g., EEG, IMU)
• Design or supervise the design of PCBs (multilayer, rigid and flexible) including low-noise techniques and impedance control.
• Bench test and troubleshoot hardware using standard lab instruments; hands-on assembly, soldering, and rework.
• Document designs and performance; mentor students/postdocs on hardware topics; contribute to publications.

Required Skills

• BS in Electrical Engineering, ECE, or related field required; MS/PhD preferred.
• Open to all experience levels (early-career through senior), given strong technical fit.
• Some professional work experience is a plus.
• Proficient in PCB design (Altium, KiCad, or Eagle), analog/mixed-signal circuit design, FPGA firmware (VHDL/Verilog), embedded C, and Python/MATLAB.
• Experience with camera/image sensors, optical systems (free-space or fiber), and SiPM/APD detectors is a strong plus.
• Comfortable designing for tight size, weight, and power constraints; strong documentation and communication skills.

 

Preferred:

• Background in wearable/implantable biomedical devices, near-infrared optical spectroscopy (CW-NIRS, SCOS, DCS), or low-power wireless (BLE/Zigbee); publication record in instrumentation.
• Working Conditions Lab/office environment at CILSE, Boston University; hands-on hardware work is a daily core activity, with occasional collaboration with Boston-area clinical partners.

 

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. 

Required Experience