Research Technician

Arizona State University•Tempe, AZ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The goal of the Balmer Lab is to discover how brain circuits function and how they contribute to hearing and balance. The Balmer lab investigates synapses, cells, and circuits on multiple levels of analysis, including electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, behavior, and viral tracing to study the synapses, cells, and circuits that underlie hearing and balance. The lab Research Technician will have a critical role in 1) learning and performing the techniques of the lab, 2) lab safety, 3) mouse colony management, and 4) assisting in training other lab members. Research technicians in the Balmer lab are expected to lead and contribute to research projects that may result in authorships on peer-reviewed papers.

Requirements

High School Diploma and two-years (2) experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
Effective written and verbal communication
Critical thinking
Mouse handling
Organization
Solution preparation
Computer proficiency.

Nice To Haves

Curious and motivated
Honest and dependable
Quick learner
Strong technical aptitude
Organized and detail-oriented.
Neuroscience
Physiology
Biology
Scientific method.
Immunohistochemistry
Extracellular or intracellular electrophysiology
Stereotaxic brain injections
Programming.

Responsibilities

Learn, apply and teach methods essential for the Balmer lab: electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, tissue sectioning, transcardiac perfusion, microscopy, data analysis.
Maintain an active transgenic mouse colony: mouse handling/breeding/husbandry, setting up crosses, recording litters, tissue collection and lysis for genotyping, weaning pups.
Maintain records for purchasing, maintain lab equipment, and ensure biosafety protocols are being used in the laboratory.
Package waste material and arrange for disposal according to established procedures.
Organize reagents and materials.
Maintain supply inventory.
Maintain cleanliness of the lab.
Train students in the operation of equipment, protocols, and performance of technical procedures.