Research Technician Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Qualifying general experience demonstrating research activity or control program work; nursery work involving growing and maintaining plants in a controlled environment; or work comparable to that on a large dairy farm where production records, animal environment, and sanitary conditions were maintained according to modern dairy practice.
• Alternatively, one year of study including at least six semester hours in a combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics.
• A qualifying combination of experience and education may be used.
• U.S. citizenship is required, except that non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens under VA policy.
• Selected applicants must complete an online onboarding process and are subject to background/security investigation.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated position must submit to urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusal results in denial of VA employment.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• VA Health Care Personnel must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Selected applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof before their start date, subject to legally required accommodations.
• A transcript must be submitted when education is used to meet any part of the qualifications. Foreign education must be accompanied by a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.
• The work requires hand-eye coordination for delicate testing procedures and may involve walking, standing, bending, and carrying items of moderate weight.

Responsibilities

• Handle and store biospecimens, including using dry ice and ultra-cold storage.
• Prepare protein from rodent brain samples.
• Perform protein techniques, including cell extract preparation, quantification, electrophoresis, immunoblotting, and imaging.
• Work with adeno-associated viruses and microinject viruses into rodent brains.
• Perform rat husbandry, including weaning, ear tagging and punching, surgical procedures, anesthesia, post-surgery maintenance, and euthanasia.
• Perform experimental procedures involving rodent models, including behavioral testing, injections, and tissue sampling.
• Prepare and analyze histological samples from rodent models.
• Use computer software including ImageJ, Prism, Med Associates, Micro Bright Field, and Microsoft Office.
• Maintain general laboratory organization, maintenance, and function.
• Handle and dispose of hazardous waste.

Benefits

• The posting describes a comprehensive federal employee benefits package for eligible employees; eligibility depends on position type and the specific benefits offered.