Research Technician- Witten Lab

Howard Hughes Medical Institute•Princeton, NJ

7d•$18 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

We are currently seeking a multifaceted, well organized Research Technician in the systems neuroscience laboratory of Dr. Ilana Witten at Princeton University. The lab studies the neural circuitry underlying learning and decision-making, using electrophysiology, imaging, and behavioral methods, with rodents as the model system. A major challenge that makes learning difficult is that the world is complex and high dimensional: there are often multiple possible stimuli or actions to attribute to any outcome, and a gap in time between an event and its consequences. The lab brings new perspectives and technologies to understand how the brain overcomes these types of challenges. The lab is also very interested in the ramifications of learning in a complex and high dimensional environment on the emergence of individual differences, including the origin of stress-related maladaptive states. In this role, you will be supporting the lab’s research by working closely with graduate students or postdoctoral research fellows on projects related to the neural circuits underlying reward-related behaviors, through tasks such as training mice on operant tasks, performing optogenetic experiments and histological analysis of brain tissue.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, biology or a related field.
2+ years of experience working in a wet lab environment.
Previous experience working with rodents in a research setting.
Strong initiative, self-motivation, and capacity for creative problem solving.
Strong multitasking skills and time management.
Ability to use good judgment in managing deadlines and responding to inquiries.
Meticulous attention to detail with emphasis on keeping records of experiments and results.
Comfortable with handling live mice.

Nice To Haves

Preferably research experience involving neuroscience methods.

Responsibilities

Collaborate closely with a graduate student or postdoctoral research fellow in the lab.
Train mice on behavioral tasks.
Perform neural recording and manipulation experiments.
Prepare brain tissue for histology.
Opportunities to assist with data analysis and visualization.
Organizational and administrative assistance to the lab alongside the Lab Manager.
Attend lab meetings and planning sessions.