Faculty Specialist

Research Technician

The Ball Laboratory in the Department of Psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park, is currently seeking a Research Technician, with the payroll title of Faculty Assistant/Specialist. This one-year position offers recent college graduates a valuable opportunity to conduct research directly alongside the principal investigator and/or a postdoctoral fellow. We are seeking an individual who is eager to learn and driven to succeed.

Key responsibilities include assisting with various chemical neuroanatomical studies (e.g., immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization), aiding in surgical procedures, and supporting behavioral experiments focused on hearing and vocal production in birds. The role also encompasses animal care, supervising animal care workers, and general laboratory management. The successful candidate will have ample opportunity to learn and master the specialized techniques used within the lab.

Dr. Ball's lab is interested in the interrelation of hormones, brain, and behavior. The lab studies a variety of avian species that exhibit high degrees of neuroplasticity in response to hormone treatment. These studies are designed to investigate both how hormones act in the brain to affect the learning and activation of behavior and how behavioral and other stimuli are processed by the brain to influence reproductive endocrine activity and the timing of seasonal reproduction.

Current research activities include: (1) studies addressing how the neuroendocrine system integrates cues that regulate seasonal reproduction including photoperiod and supplementary factors that augment the photo-induction of gonadal growth, such as the perception of conspecific vocalizations; (2) investigations of seasonal brain changes and neural sex differences mediating bird song learning and production; (3) studies of the interaction between dopamine and the steroid metabolizing enzyme, aromatase, in relation to the activation of male reproduction behavior in quail.

Minimum qualifications:

A Bachelor's Degree of Science in Neuroscience, Animal Science, Biology, Psychology, or a related field is required. Strong preference will be given to candidates with previous animal research experience (especially being comfortable with working with birds) and significant experience in biology research.

Physical demands include fine motor skills & dexterity, standing & mobility, lifting & carrying, bending, stooping, & kneeling, and visual acuity. Occasional weekend or holiday availability is required for animal care responsibilities.