Contractual Laboratory Research Assistant or Specialist

University of Maryland•Baltimore, MD

4d•$49,500 - $73,000•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Neurobiology, is currently recruiting a Contractual Laboratory Research Assistant or Specialist. The position is immediately available in the Department of Neurobiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore. This NIH supported project (PIs Fuwen Zhou and Adam Puche) is aimed at investigating the olfactory function of adult, normal aging, and animal models of neurodegenerative disease in experiments spanning from the genome to cells, to circuits, and to behavior using electrophysiological (including in vivo and in vitro), optogentical, chemogenetical, fiber photometry, multiphoton imaging, immunohistochemical, molecular biological (e.g., single cell PCR), pharmacological and genetic manipulation (knockdown and overexpression), stereotaxic and behavioral techniques. We are looking for someone who has experience with in vitro or in vivo electrophysiology, or who is willing to learn electrophysiology. This position has funding available for at least four years.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, biology, biochemistry, physiology, biomedical sciences, or a related field or discipline required.
N/A (for Laboratory Research Assistant)
Three (3) years of experience including two (2) years in the relevant research specialization (for Laboratory Research Specialist).
May require training related to occupational safety and health, environmental compliance, shipping of hazardous materials and/or ionizing radiation.
Previous experience working with mice is required.
Ability to sit for long periods of time (sessions of 4 hours or less) with sustained focus, head or body tilted forward, is required to perform benchwork and small animal surgery.
Ability to stay in a dark room for several hours (sessions of 4 hours or less) at a time is required to perform microscopy or small animal behavioral testing.
The ability to lift 25 pounds and climb a stepstool is required for reaching/stocking supplies.
Basic computer skills as well as experience with Microsoft Office.
Ability to converse fluently (verbal and written) in the standard international research language (English).

Nice To Haves

Experience with in vitro or in vivo electrophysiology, or willingness to learn electrophysiology.
Electrophysiology (patch clamp recording in slices), and/or mammalian olfactory neuroscience.

Responsibilities

Perform routine laboratory maintenance, such as general housekeeping and preparing solutions.
Perform advanced laboratory research activities under PI supervision, such as patch clamp recording in slices (main duty), small animal stereotaxic surgeries, behavioral testing, RNAscope, western blotting, immunocytochemistry, and confocal imaging.
Analyzing research data using various relevant computer software applications under PI supervision.
Assist with literature research, manuscripts preparation for publication.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Perform independent project(s) and participate in the design of research studies.
Independently perform day-to-day laboratory research activities, such as patch clamp recording in slices (main duty), small animal stereotaxic surgeries, behavioral testing, RNAscope, western blotting, immunocytochemistry, and confocal imaging.
Conduct literature research, participate in editing and preparing manuscripts, scientific illustrations and computer graphics for publication and presents research findings.
Administer day-to-day laboratory operations including ensuring quality control and safety compliance, developing policies and procedures, and ordering supplies; maintaining proper operation of research equipment, ensuring proper operation records, cleaning, ordering of required components and explaining/resolving technical issues.
Train undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral, international fellows, and/or junior technical personnel in the performance of a variety of laboratory techniques.