Research Specialist - Emory Primate Center

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Emory University is a leading research university that fosters excellence and attracts world-class talent to innovate today and prepare leaders for the future. We welcome candidates who can contribute to the excellence of our academic community.

The Luessen Lab, within the Division of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychiatric Disorders at the Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, is seeking a full-time Research Specialist to join our team. Our research focuses on how early-life experiences—particularly drug exposure during sensitive developmental periods—shape prefrontal cortex circuits and long-term cognitive function.

This position offers the opportunity to be deeply involved in both the day-to-day execution and broader direction of ongoing projects. The Research Specialist will lead behavioral testing in mice (including cognitive assays such as working memory and decision-making), manage animal cohorts across experiments, and contribute to surgical and post-mortem workflows. This includes intracranial surgeries to manipulate circuit components and molecular targets, followed by histological and molecular analyses to verify experimental outcomes.

We are a collaborative and growing lab that values rigor, curiosity, and ownership over projects. We’re looking for someone who is not only reliable and detail-oriented, but also excited to engage with the science—someone who takes initiative, thinks critically about data, and contributes to the overall momentum of the lab.

Collaborate. Innovate. Serve. These three simple words capture what we do at EPC to help advance science and improve the health and well-being of humans and non-human primates. If you are someone with laboratory research experience who is familiar with rodent cognitive behavioral testing, data analysis, and (ideally) surgical or circuit-based neuroscience techniques this is an amazing opportunity to indirectly save and change lives and make a positive impact in the science and research community.

Dedicated to discovering causes, preventions, treatments, and cures of disease, Emory National Primate Research Center (EPC) is improving human and animal health and lives worldwide. One of seven NPRCs funded by the NIH, EPC conducts studies that make breakthrough discoveries possible. Learn more at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..edu

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Under general supervision, performs a variety of defined research and laboratory tests and experiments according to prescribed protocols and assigned schedules.
• Sets up experiments as prescribed by a principal investigator.
• May be required to participate in laboratory maintenance activities such as sterilization and cleaning of equipment, ordering of supplies, inventory and media preparation.
• Maintains records, files, and logs of work performed in laboratory notebooks and computer databases.
• Compiles data and records results of studies for publications, grants and seminar presentations.
• Employees in this classification may be required to work with, take specific precautions against and/or be immunized against potentially hazardous agents.
• Performs related responsibilities as required by principal investigator.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific field OR equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience with rodent behavioral testing, especially cognitive assays.
• Strong data management and basic statistical analysis skills.
  
  Lux?
• Experience with software such as Excel, SPSS, or similar platforms.
• Familiarity with intracranial surgery, viral approaches, or circuit-level neuroscience techniques.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Working Environment:

• Hands-on work with live animals and biological tissues
• Standard laboratory setting with adherence to safety procedures.
• Requires physical activity (e.g., standing, bending, lifting).
• Work schedule to be discussed during the interview process.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING STATEMENT:

The Emory National Primate Research Center (EPC), in conjunction with Emory…