Research Assistant, Taylor Lab

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center • New York, NY

9h • Onsite

About The Position

The people of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) are united by a singular mission: ending cancer for life. Our specialized care teams provide personalized, compassionate, expert care to patients of all ages. Informed by basic research done at our Sloan Kettering Institute, scientists across MSK collaborate to conduct innovative translational and clinical research that is driving a revolution in our understanding of cancer as a disease and improving the ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat it. MSK is dedicated to training the next generation of scientists and clinicians, who go on to pursue our mission at MSK and around the globe. Exciting opportunity at MSK: Join the Kathryn Taylor Lab as a Research Assistant! Role Overview: Design, develop, and optimize new experimental methods, or refine existing protocols, to support investigators’ research objectives. Prepare and maintain laboratory equipment, instruments, reagents, solutions, stains, assays, and supplies required for experiments. Perform electrophysiological recordings, including whole-cell patch clamp, and support experiments that may include cell culture, in vivo stereotaxic surgeries, slice and tissue preparation, calcium and voltage imaging, DRG or ganglia collection and neuron culture. Operate advanced laboratory equipment such as electrophysiology rigs, vibratomes, centrifuges, pH meters, analytical balances, spectrophotometers, and confocal microscopes. Handle animals, including injections and tissue collection/harvesting for electrophysiological recordings and imaging studies. Perform data analysis, calculations, and interpretation; accurately record experimental data and prepare written reports of research findings. Monitor and manage purchasing of laboratory equipment, supplies, and animals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 4 years of experience in electrophysiology (preferably whole cell patch clamp recordings) and animal handling, or Master’s degree with 2 years of experience.
• Exceptional attention to detail and strong analytical skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced research environment, managing multiple projects while maintaining precision.
• Enthusiastic about learning opportunities in the lab.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to troubleshoot experimental challenges.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to interact across all levels in a confident, concise, professional manner.
• Enthusiasm and dedication to MSK's vision, mission, and values.

Nice To Haves

• Ideally, the candidate has experience in any of the following techniques: stereotactic surgeries, calcium imaging, patient-derived cultures or neuronal cultures.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize new experimental methods, or refine existing protocols, to support investigators’ research objectives.
• Prepare and maintain laboratory equipment, instruments, reagents, solutions, stains, assays, and supplies required for experiments.
• Perform electrophysiological recordings, including whole-cell patch clamp, and support experiments that may include cell culture, in vivo stereotaxic surgeries, slice and tissue preparation, calcium and voltage imaging, DRG or ganglia collection and neuron culture.
• Operate advanced laboratory equipment such as electrophysiology rigs, vibratomes, centrifuges, pH meters, analytical balances, spectrophotometers, and confocal microscopes.
• Handle animals, including injections and tissue collection/harvesting for electrophysiological recordings and imaging studies.
• Perform data analysis, calculations, and interpretation; accurately record experimental data and prepare written reports of research findings.
• Monitor and manage purchasing of laboratory equipment, supplies, and animals.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees