Research Technician – Liu Lab

Howard Hughes Medical Institute • Ashburn, VA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Liu lab at HHMI’s Janelia Research Campus is seeking a motivated, well-organized Research Technician to study cellular and circuit mechanisms of communication between the respiratory and nervous systems. The lab combines molecular, genetic, imaging, and whole-animal physiology approaches to investigate how lung states are encoded by sensory neurons and downstream circuits and how those signals affect physiology and behavior.

The technician will perform mouse surgeries, tissue staining and imaging, and molecular assays to investigate the anatomical and molecular properties of the pulmonary sensory circuit. The position also supports laboratory organization and the lab’s transition to a new institution, including maintaining records, protocols, inventory, and mouse-colony information. The successful candidate will be interested in a long-term research staff position and willing to relocate with the lab within the next one to two years.

The role provides one-on-one mentoring and scientific training with the lab head, access to advanced research facilities, and opportunities to develop expertise in animal surgery, molecular assays, imaging, and computational analysis. The technician will work in a collaborative research environment and may interact with experts across neuroscience, cell biology, genetics, imaging, and computational biology.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in biology, neuroscience, or a related field, with relevant laboratory research experience.
• At least three years of hands-on experience working with laboratory mice, including animal handling and experimental procedures.
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to maintain accurate and detailed experimental records.
• Excellent attention to detail, reliability, and ability to follow established experimental protocols.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Willingness to learn new experimental techniques and adapt to evolving research needs.
• Willingness to relocate with the lab to a new institution.

Nice To Haves

• Experience performing survival surgeries in mice, including anesthesia, aseptic surgical procedures, and postoperative care.
• Experience with tissue dissection, histology, immunohistochemistry, or whole-mount staining.
• Experience with RNA in situ hybridization, particularly fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) or multiplexed RNA detection methods.
• Experience with fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, or light-sheet microscopy.
• Experience with mouse colony management, laboratory inventory, and protocol documentation.
• Experience troubleshooting and optimizing experimental techniques.

Responsibilities

• Perform mouse surgeries for cell-population targeting, physiological monitoring, and neural-activity recording.
• Perform tissue dissection, fixation, and immunostaining.
• Conduct confocal and light-sheet microscopy and assist with image acquisition, organization, and analysis.
• Learn, implement, and perform multiplexed fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to characterize gene expression in tissues.
• Optimize experimental protocols, troubleshoot technical problems, and maintain consistent experimental quality.
• Work collaboratively with other lab members on ongoing research projects.
• Maintain accurate records of mouse colonies, including breeding, genotyping, and experimental use.
• Organize and maintain laboratory inventory, including reagents, supplies, and experimental materials.
• Maintain and document laboratory protocols to ensure reproducibility and facilitate training.
• Assist with organizing, transferring, and establishing laboratory resources and research workflows during the transition to a new institution.
• Help maintain an organized and efficient laboratory environment.

Benefits

• One-on-one mentoring and scientific training with the lab head.
• Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and a highly collaborative research environment.
• Opportunities to develop expertise in animal surgery, advanced molecular assays, imaging, and computational analysis.
• Opportunities to interact with experts in neuroscience, cell biology, genetics, imaging, and computational biology.
• Opportunities to contribute to the establishment and development of a research laboratory at a new institution.
• Opportunities to attend scientific workshops and conferences.
• Competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and recognition and wellness programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level