Research Professional, Sr. Analyst

The Institute for Mind and Biology is comprised of twelve faculty Members from the Department of Comparative Human Development and Psychology. In addition to their department appointments, Members contribute significantly to the University's interdisciplinary approach to Neuroscience and Committees on Computational Neuroscience, Evolutionary Biology, Integrative Neuroscience, and Neurobiology. Members also collaborate with other faculty at UChicago in the Biological Sciences Division and Division of the Social Sciences as well as colleagues from around the globe.

The London Lab investigates how the brain develops, with special focus on how early experience can alter neural function and behavior. The London Lab applies molecular and genomic tools in combination with behavioral manipulations to uncover biological processes that promote and limit the ability to learn across development. The lab uses the zebra finch songbird as the model system because there are life-long behavioural effects of developmental experience, but only when that experience occurs during specific phases.

Despite outward differences, zebra finches have strong genomic, molecular, neural, developmental, social, and behavioural parallels with humans. As such, the lab’s research strategy discoveres mechanisms that may also be involved in human speech acquisition and other developmentally learned behaviours.

The job performs routine assignments related to scientific research projects. Ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates. Analyzes possible solutions using standard procedures. Writes articles, reports and manuscripts. Assists in drafting presentations on research findings. The job facilitates and promotes a research project or contributes to the scientific direction of a research resource.

Receives a moderate level of guidance and direction. This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance. The London Lab is seeking an individual to fill the position of Research Professional, Sr.

Analyst. The Sr. Analyst performs routine assignments related to scientific research projects. They ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates. They analyze possible solutions using standard procedures. They will rigorously test the connections between epigenomic regulation of molecular processes, learning, and behavioural outcomes of neural circuit function.

• Lead projects that test neural mechanisms that promote and limit the ability to learn from juvenile experience, using behaviour and molecular genomic data as functional readouts. Experiments will utilize a suite of molecular, epigenomic, genomic, in vivo, and behavioural methods, and consider a variety of processes.
• Serves as a resource for collecting data and performing analysis. Contributes to facilitating and promoting a research project by providing scientific or intellectual information.
• Reviews laboratory protocols and training on new techniques. Manage complex data sets for research.
• Leads the contributions to scientific writing and publications, including preparation of reports, manuscripts, protocols and grants.
• Trains new laboratory personnel.
• Maintains technical and administrative support for a research project in a neuroscience laboratory environment performing molecular and small animal laboratory techniques, research and analysis.
• Installs, sets up and performs experiments; interacting with students and other laboratory staff under the direction of the principal investigator.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Education:

• PhD in neuroscience, molecular biology, or related disciplines.

Experience:

• Postdoctoral training in neuroscience, molecular biology, or related disciplines.
• At least four years’…