• Job Type: Short Term Casual
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Temporary
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 10
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $23/HR-$23/HR

Position Summary

This position supports an IRB-approved research project within the SpeechCARE Lab at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, focused on developing speech-based artificial intelligence and large language model (LLM) methods for early detection of cognitive impairment. The student will contribute to cutting-edge biomedical AI research using real-world patient–clinician communication data, working closely with the PI and an interdisciplinary research team.

Responsibilities

• Participate in regular research meetings (typically twice per week with the PI and team)
• Work with audio and transcript data in secure environments
• Using natural language processing, large language models, and speech analysis to conduct research on building algorithms for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease based on audio-recorded patient– clinician data.
• Contribute to prompt design, LLM fine-tuning, and model evaluation
• Assist with documentation, analysis, and reproducible research code

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong Python programming skill
• Strong background in NLP, with completion of relevant graduate-level coursework
• Experience working with transformer-based models
• Familiarity with prompt writing, LLM fine-tuning concepts, and GPT-style APIs
• Experience with PyTorch and/or Hugging Face is strongly preferred
• Familiarity in speech analysis is a plus (training will be provided by the research team)
• Prior to accessing data, selected students must complete required CUIMC research compliance training (e.g., CITI Human Subjects Research and HIPAA) and be added to the IRB protocol.
• Bachelors degree or equivalent in education & experience
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Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with speech analysis or audio processing (training provided by the research team)
• Prior experience in biomedical, clinical or health related AI research

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.