Research Assistant

Virginia Tech•Roanoke, VA

22d

About The Position

The Halassa Lab at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion is seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant. Led by Dr. Michael Halassa, the lab uses controlled behavioral tasks alongside physiological, genetic, and optical techniques to investigate the brain circuits that support cognitive function. They focus on thalamocortical networks and how they contribute to attention, executive control, and decision-making. The goal of our lab is to develop a computational framework for understanding the cognitive thalamus. The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal skills and be comfortable joining a dynamic research lab. Prior laboratory experience is helpful but not required. The primary responsibility involves programming of new behavioral task and the development of analysis pipelines. Programming skills, accurate record-keeping, and experience with data collection are required, as well as the ability to manage electronic and paper data. In addition, the position involves working with mice and tree shrews, so a fundamental interest in animal models and behavior is essential. Techniques in the lab include in vivo electrophysiology, neuroanatomy, optogenetics, and computational approaches. The candidate will perform basic analyses, and assist with figure preparation for publications and presentations. Familiarity with the lab’s core techniques is a plus. The candidate should be collaborative, detail-oriented, and adaptable to different research tasks. Opportunities exist to contribute to research publications and attend national scientific conferences when appropriate.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to organize and analyze experimental data
Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational and team skills
Capable of working independently and as part of a team
Demonstrated computer skills and programming experience
Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail
Demonstrated ability and desire to succeed in a fast-paced research environment with multiple concurrent duties
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Programming skills
Accurate record-keeping
Experience with data collection
Fundamental interest in animal models and behavior