The Musculoskeletal Digital Innovation and Informatics (MDI²) Program in the Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine has an immediate opening for a motivated Research Assistant. Under immediate supervision, the Research Assistant will document medical software for operation, version control, and regulatory compliance, ensuring clear and accurate technical descriptions, and will work closely with software engineers to document code functionality, risk analysis, and validation details. This role does not require regulatory expertise, but the Research Assistant must be able to read Python code and translate technical details into structured documentation.
The Research Assistant will also assist with user interface deployment and maintenance using platforms such as GitLab, with application hosting and cloud infrastructure managed through AWS, and with data review and annotation for AI model training, testing, and validation.
Principal duties and responsibilities
- Read and interpret Python code to document software functionality, design, and intended use.
- Prepare technical documentation, including Manual of Operation, Software Description, Risk Analysis, and Verification/Validation reports, following provided templates and guidance.
- Work with engineers to clarify software behavior and ensure documentation accuracy.
- Organize and format regulatory submission documents to meet FDA guidelines, under the direction of the regulatory consultant.
- Assist with user interface deployment and maintenance using GitLab.
- Support application hosting and deployment on AWS cloud infrastructure.
- Collaborate on version control, deployment workflows, and ongoing user interface maintenance.
- Assist in maintaining and updating technical documentation as software evolves.
- Review and annotate clinical data (imaging and notes) for training, testing, and validation of AI models.
- Conduct literature searches and reviews, compiling information for journals and suggesting uses for new techniques to the PI.
- Attend courses, lectures, and conferences to further own knowledge of research and laboratory techniques, consulting with other researchers and technicians to exchange information.
- Contribute to the team within and between departments and organizations.
Required skills and experience
- Bachelor's degree in computer science or a closely related field.
- Basic understanding of coding and familiarity with Python coding platforms.
- Analytical skills to resolve problems that require the use of basic scientific, mathematical, or technical principles.
- Basic understanding of user interface deployment and maintenance.
- Basic familiarity with code repositories and version control concepts.
- Strong technical writing and documentation skills, with the ability to explain software functions clearly.
- Experience organizing technical documents (e.g., manuals, reports) in a structured, professional format.
- No prior regulatory experience required; guidance is provided by a regulatory consultant.
Desired skills and experience
- Familiarity with medical software development.
- Familiarity with GitLab or GitHub.
- Familiarity with AWS and basic application hosting concepts.
How to apply
Apply online through the Boston Children's Hospital careers site.