Research Technician

Arizona State University•Tempe, AZ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Balmer Lab is dedicated to understanding the functional mechanisms of brain circuits and their role in hearing and balance. The lab employs a multi-level analytical approach, including electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, behavioral studies, and viral tracing, to investigate the synapses, cells, and circuits underlying these sensory functions. The Research Technician will play a crucial role in learning and executing the lab's techniques, ensuring lab safety, managing the mouse colony, and assisting in the training of other lab members. Research technicians are expected to lead and contribute to research projects, with the potential for authorship on peer-reviewed publications.

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.