Graduate Research Assistant

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley•Brownsville, TX

33d•Onsite

About The Position

1. Complete training on the ethical use of animals in research 2. Complete basic laboratory safety training 3. Conduct research/database searchers for articles and resources relevant to the research topic (i.e., neurobiology of social behavior; animal models of cardiovascular and neurological disorders) 4. Learn and be able to use research and statistical software (e.g., excel, SPSS, graphpad, ANYMaze, data capture software) to analyze data and create graphs. 5. Create PowerPoint and/or poster presentations to share research findings with the lab and others. 6. Conduct behavioral experiments using laboratory animals. 7. Learn and be able to perform surgical and other procedures that allow the investigator to manipulate the brain and other organ systems. 8. Learn and be able to extract brains and other tissues from animal models. 9. Perform tissue processing techniques (e.g., immunocytochemistry and immunohistochemistry), techniques that involve a series of processing steps that allow for identification and visualization of protein in tissue. 10. Learn and be able to capture images of brain sections using a microscope and image capture software. 11. Assist lead investigators with the supervision of undergraduate students in the laboratory. 12. Assist lead investigators with basic administrative tasks. 13. Attend lab meetings and complete assigned tasks in a timely manner Discipline Specific Required Qualifications 1. This research assistantship is funded by a National Institutes of Health grant, and all personnel funded by this grant will be expected to comply with federal laws, regulations, and policies protecting the rights and safety of individuals working on NIH-funded projects. 2. Must be a full-time UTRGV graduate student, willing to work 10 hours per week in a laboratory during regular working hours (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m./ Monday - Friday) and on the weekends in some cases. Distribution of hours per week is flexible. 3. Able to work with and handle laboratory animals, following institutionally approved protocols. Preferred Qualifications 1. Graduate student in the Department of Psychological Science, Department of Biology, or a related program in the College of Liberal Arts, College of Sciences, College of Health Professions, and/or School of Medicine. 2. Prior research experience and/or highly motivated to learn behavioral neuroscience research techniques. 3. Basic knowledge of research methods and statistics. 4. Ability to conduct background research and summarize literature reviews on topics relevant to behavioral neuroscience. 5. Familiarity with research and statistical software and/or highly motivated to learn how to use this type of software. 6. Strong written and verbal communication skills. 7. Demonstrated proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, & internet navigation. 8. Ability to work independently and manage many projects concurrently. 9. Ability to conduct primary research under the guidance of the lead investigator

Requirements

This research assistantship is funded by a National Institutes of Health grant, and all personnel funded by this grant will be expected to comply with federal laws, regulations, and policies protecting the rights and safety of individuals working on NIH-funded projects.
Must be a full-time UTRGV graduate student, willing to work 10 hours per week in a laboratory during regular working hours (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m./ Monday - Friday) and on the weekends in some cases. Distribution of hours per week is flexible.
Able to work with and handle laboratory animals, following institutionally approved protocols.

Nice To Haves

Graduate student in the Department of Psychological Science, Department of Biology, or a related program in the College of Liberal Arts, College of Sciences, College of Health Professions, and/or School of Medicine.
Prior research experience and/or highly motivated to learn behavioral neuroscience research techniques.
Basic knowledge of research methods and statistics.
Ability to conduct background research and summarize literature reviews on topics relevant to behavioral neuroscience.
Familiarity with research and statistical software and/or highly motivated to learn how to use this type of software.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, & internet navigation.
Ability to work independently and manage many projects concurrently.
Ability to conduct primary research under the guidance of the lead investigator

Responsibilities

Complete training on the ethical use of animals in research
Complete basic laboratory safety training
Conduct research/database searchers for articles and resources relevant to the research topic (i.e., neurobiology of social behavior; animal models of cardiovascular and neurological disorders)
Learn and be able to use research and statistical software (e.g., excel, SPSS, graphpad, ANYMaze, data capture software) to analyze data and create graphs.
Create PowerPoint and/or poster presentations to share research findings with the lab and others.
Conduct behavioral experiments using laboratory animals.
Learn and be able to perform surgical and other procedures that allow the investigator to manipulate the brain and other organ systems.
Learn and be able to extract brains and other tissues from animal models.
Perform tissue processing techniques (e.g., immunocytochemistry and immunohistochemistry), techniques that involve a series of processing steps that allow for identification and visualization of protein in tissue.
Learn and be able to capture images of brain sections using a microscope and image capture software.
Assist lead investigators with the supervision of undergraduate students in the laboratory.
Assist lead investigators with basic administrative tasks.
Attend lab meetings and complete assigned tasks in a timely manner