Lab Assistant I

University of California System•Irvine, CA

50d

About The Position

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation's top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. To learn more about UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu. The Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology is a world-leading neuroscience department where molecular, anatomical, and physiological discoveries are seamlessly integrated into developing new treatments for neurological diseases. This research position will be funded by PI's current extramural awards. This position represents a unique and exciting opportunity to participate in state-of-the-art research to elucidate the mechanistic basis of cancer and cancer therapies on brain function and mitigate these neurodegenerative consequences using pharmacological, genetic, or regenerative approaches Your Role on the Team The Lab Asst-I is expected to develop several specialized skills in neuroscience research.

Requirements

Small animal handling, dosing, and animal care.
Small animal euthanasia and tissue collection
Basic cell culture maintenance and experiments
Basic molecular biology experiments
Animal behavior monitoring, acquisition, and data analysis using automated video tracking modules
Small animal imaging, including CT and BLI scans
Knowledge of collation of data using MS Office, data analysis, and presentation of data
Ability to train and supervise undergraduate and graduate research students
Prior experience in basic laboratory skills, laboratory and chemical hygiene, knowledge of MS Office, and data analysis computer modules.
Prior experience in animal handling, animal behavior experiments, and animal (mice) injections are required.
Experience in immunofluorescence staining, laser scanning confocal microscopy, 3D algorithm-based in silico analyses of confocal z stacks, and basic biochemistry techniques is required.
Prior experience in training undergraduate students and data analysis is required.

Nice To Haves

Small animal cognitive function protocols execution
Ability to collate and validate data for scientific dissemination
Prior experience in brain immunofluorescence staining, confocal microscopy, in silico analysis of immunoreactivity.

Responsibilities

In consultation with PI and senior lab members, conduct step-by-step optimization of animal behavior protocol
In consultation with PI and senior lab members, optimize and conduct automated tracking, storage, and monitoring of animal behavior videos using specialized scientific modules (Noldus Ethovision, Anymaze, FreezeFrame, etc.)
Optimize and conduct dual/triple immunofluorescence staining, laser scanning confocal microscopy and 3D algorithm-based volumetric quantification of confocal z stacks to acquire and analyze the cellular and synaptic marker data.
Intra-cardiac perfusion of animal tissues, cryo-preservation, and sectioning using cryo-stat.
Collection and analysis of animal behavior, confocal microscopy, cell culture, and biochemical data sets, and collate/organize data sets for statistical analysis.
Laboratory maintenance, including working and standard solution preparation, conducting specialized molecular and cellular analytical techniques, including cell culturing, ELISA, Western Blotting, PRC/RT-PCR, etc.
Small animal handling, dosing, animal care, major and minor survival surgeries, cranial and peripheral cancer induction and monitoring, peripheral organ, and intracranial surgeries.
Small animal irradiation using specialized irradiation equipment.
Optimize and conduct BLI and CT scanning techniques for in vivo tracking of tumors.
Optimize the performance of computers used for data analysis, animal behavior, confocal microscopy, etc.
Train and supervise undergraduate and graduate students to perform animal cognitive function studies.
Train and supervise undergraduate and graduate students to perform cellular and molecular studies using animal and human tissues.
Communicate student's data and design student's research projects with the PI.
Collect and prepare data sets for presentation at scientific conferences.
Collect and prepare data sets for scientific publications.