NAPE Research Technologist

University of Washington Medical Center•Seattle, WA

6d•$45,144 - $53,148•Onsite

About The Position

The Stuber Lab in the Center for the Study of the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain and Emotion Research Lab (NAPE) is seeking a Research Technologist I to assist with research on activity patterns in dopaminergic striatal neuronal circuits. The research uses genetically modified mice and includes optimizing and benchmarking biological sensors in vivo. The position reports to the Principal Investigator. The role supports research projects, mouse colony management, and daily laboratory operations. Research activities include preparing solutions, conducting histology and microscopy procedures, assisting with mouse behavioral studies and surgery under supervision, and compiling and presenting data. Colony duties include animal care compliance, breeding, genotyping, and recordkeeping. The Research Technologist also supports the lab manager with equipment and supply maintenance, onboarding, and administrative tasks. The Stuber Lab is affiliated with the Departments of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, and Pharmacology, at the University of Washington Health Sciences Building. Its research investigates neural circuits involved in neuropsychiatric conditions such as addiction, maladaptive eating behaviors, and anxiety, and how neural circuit elements regulate motivated behavioral states. Methods include in vivo fiber photometry, 2-photon imaging, optogenetic and chemogenetic manipulations, and measurements of naturalistic behavior.

Requirements

Two years of experience as a Laboratory Technician II or equivalent, or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field of science or technology. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications, except where legal requirements apply.
Experience with mouse care, including handling and husbandry, and familiarity with animal use policies.
Experience administering euthanasia, performing perfusion, and sacrificing rodents.
Experience with mouse colony management, including breeding and genotyping.
Experience with histology, including perfusion, sectioning with a vibratome or cryostat, immunostaining or in situ hybridization, image acquisition, and data analysis.
Experience handling chemicals.
Strong PC skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
Excellent time-management and organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with scientific software, including ImageJ, Olympus CellSens, HALO, or Zen for image analysis, and CorelDraw, Adobe Illustrator, or Photoshop for data visualization.
Experience writing code in Python or R.
Experience with animal surgery and behavior experiments.

Responsibilities

Prepare shared stock solutions, including PBS and 4% paraformaldehyde.
Conduct histology procedures, including mouse perfusion, brain sectioning, immunostaining, in situ hybridization, microscopy imaging, and analysis.
Perform mouse behavioral studies and surgery under a supervisor’s instruction.
Compile data, present it to the supervisor, and schedule the next experiment.
Maintain compliance with UW animal care policies and monitor animal health; communicate concerns to veterinary staff and take appropriate action.
Collaborate with the supervisor on mouse breeding strategies, including setting up breeding cages, monitoring mating success, and weaning pups.
Perform mouse genotyping, including ear punching, DNA extraction, PCR, electrophoresis, and image acquisition.
Maintain accurate colony records in mLIMS, manage cage inventory and housing needs, coordinate cage transfers between facilities, and provide project updates to the supervisor.
Support daily laboratory operations and provide administrative assistance to the lab manager as needed.
Maintain laboratory equipment and shared resources, including dishwashing and autoclaving laboratory glassware.
Monitor, inventory, and replenish laboratory supplies.
Assist with onboarding and training undergraduate students and postdoctoral scholars, and support administrative processes such as submitting packing slips to the finance department.