Assistant Academic Research Scientist - Emory Primate Center

Emory University•Atlanta, GA

1h•Onsite

About The Position

The Luessen Lab, within the Division of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatric Disorders at the Emory National Primate Research Center at Emory University, is seeking a full-time Assistant Academic Research Scientist to join our growing team. Our research focuses on how early-life experiences—particularly drug exposure during sensitive developmental periods—shape prefrontal cortical circuits and long-term cognitive function. This position offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to both the day-to-day execution and broader direction of ongoing projects. The Assistant Research Scientist will independently lead behavioral testing in mice, including touchscreen- and operant-based cognitive assays assessing working memory, cognitive flexibility, and decision-making. The individual will also coordinate animal cohorts across longitudinal studies and contribute to in vivo experimental workflows including intracranial surgeries, viral manipulations, histological processing, and molecular analyses. The ideal candidate is highly organized, intellectually engaged, and excited to take ownership over projects in a collaborative research environment. We are looking for someone who approaches science with curiosity and rigor, enjoys troubleshooting and critical thinking, and is motivated to contribute to the overall momentum and culture of the lab. Collaborate. Innovate. Serve. These three simple words capture what we do at EPC to help advance science and improve the health and well-being of humans and non-human primates. If you are someone with laboratory research experience who is excited by behavioral neuroscience, cognitive testing, and circuit-based approaches to understanding brain function, this is an opportunity to contribute to impactful translational research while developing advanced experimental skills in a highly collaborative environment. Dedicated to discovering causes, preventions, treatments, and cures of disease, the Emory National Primate Research Center (EPC) is improving human and animal health and lives worldwide. One of seven NPRCs funded by the NIH, EPC conducts studies that make breakthrough discoveries possible. Learn more at http://enprc.emory.edu

Requirements

PhD OR master's degree and two years of professional level experience in a technical or research lab OR bachelor's degree and four years of professional level experience in a technical or research lab.
Laboratory experience should be related to area of assignment.
Internship experience or experience prior to attaining the qualifying degree is not considered eligible work experience for this job classification.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience with rodent behavioral neuroscience, especially cognitive or operant-based assays.
Experience handling and managing rodent colonies and longitudinal experimental cohorts.
Familiarity with stereotaxic surgery, viral approaches, histology, or systems/circuit neuroscience techniques.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Experience with data analysis and visualization software (e.g., Excel, SPSS, Prism, MATLAB, Python, or similar).
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Interest in neuropsychiatric disease mechanisms, cognition, and developmental neuroscience.

Responsibilities

Responsible for working with experimental platforms specific to the hiring Program. Duties will include but are not limited to experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation and communication of results of basic and/or translational research.
Will be required to review literature and apply advanced knowledge, skills, and input necessary for protocol development.
May assist in grant and other funding applications, as necessary and appropriate.
With the approval of the responsible Emory faculty director, the Assistant Academic Research Scientist may serve as the principal investigator on funded (grant) proposals.
Performs other responsibilities as required.