Research Technician – Scanziani Lab

Howard Hughes Medical Institute•San Francisco, CA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Scanziani lab works to understand the mechanisms by which elementary circuits of neurons control the spatial and temporal structure of cortical activity. Towards this goal, they use in vivo and in vitro electrophysiological, imaging, and anatomical techniques as well as behavioral approaches. Their model system is the rodent’s sensory cortex. Their work is revealing the logic and the mechanisms by which elementary circuits, the building blocks of cortical architecture, orchestrate cortical activity. The ideal candidate is a professional, collegial individual who will enjoy working with mice, can work well independently and as part of a larger team, and is looking to grow professionally while supporting multiple projects in a medium-sized collaborative academic laboratory. This is an excellent opportunity for a candidate who would like to gain a couple more years of academic research experience before applying to graduate school.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in biology or a closely related discipline is required.
Previous hands-on academic laboratory experience along with a solid understanding of molecular biology techniques (PCR, genotyping, etc.) is strongly preferred.
Significant laboratory experience obtained during undergraduate studies is acceptable and will be considered.
Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to work well with staff at all levels.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize and manage time across shifting demands.
Self-motivated and proactive, with a creative approach to problem solving.
Proficient with PC or Mac and Microsoft Office Suite.
Eager to learn new techniques and skills.
Comfortable handling and working with live mice on a regular basis.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience with handling mice would be a plus.
Prior experience with immunofluorescent staining a plus.

Responsibilities

Perform regular checks of every cage in the mouse colony to monitor health and presence of new litters.
Address any necessary health issues with the colony and take appropriate action in a timely manner.
Establish new breeding pairs of mice to fulfill experimental needs of the laboratory.
Read and adhere to all relevant protocols, assist with drafting animal protocol amendments and renewals, and ensure mouse health and safety by adhering to all regulatory bodies’ standards for mouse maintenance.
Perform PCR reactions.
Prepare slides (vibratome and cryostat) and antibody staining’s.
Genotyping, handling, and breeding necessary to maintain the Scanziani lab’s colony of mice.
Histology and IF staining’s.
Provide mice for various experiments in the lab.