Research Associate - Electrophysiology

Job Title

Research Associate - Electrophysiology

Neuroscience

Onsite only

Houston, TX

$65,000 - $72,000

Exempt

Monday - Friday, 8 a.m.

- 5 p.m.

The St‑Pierre lab develops and applies new tools for monitoring and interrogating brain activity with millisecond‑timescale temporal resolution. We seek an energetic team member to lead our efforts to characterize and apply new light‑responsive proteins in vitro and in vivo. The Research Associate will work on two types of tools: genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs), fluorescent biosensors that report voltage as changes in brightness, and optogenetic silencers, light‑gated channels that inhibit neuronal firing.

Characterization of these tools requires simultaneous electrophysiological recordings and optical excitation/imaging. This position provides exciting opportunities to work with the latest optical technologies and develop new skills in two‑photon voltage imaging, protein engineering, and synthetic biology.

• Culture mammalian cells
• Prepare brain slices, dissociated neurons, or both
• Conduct experiments that combine electrophysiology and either optogenetic activation or optical imaging (multi-photon fluorescence microscopy)
• Maintain reagent and tool supply related to the experiments
• Maintain an electrophysiological rig, and troubleshoot if needed
• Analyze data using commercial software or customized data pipelines
• Teach techniques, procedures, and experimental design to other members of the lab
• Communicate research results in group meetings, national or international conferences
• Perform other job related duties as assigned

• Master's degree in Basic Science or a related field. Experience in lieu of degree will not be accepted.
• Three years of relevant experience typically as a Research Assistant, Research Technician or Postdoctoral Fellow/Associate.

• Must have experience with performing electrophysiology in dissociated neurons, brain slices or both
• Must have experience with dissecting rat cortical, hippocampal neurons, or both
• Must have experience maintaining an electrophysiology rig

• Doctoral degree
• Ability to express transgenes in neurons of brain slices using viruses and/or in utero electroporation
• Experience with imaging neural activity (e.g., voltage or calcium) in brain slices or in vivo, using 1P and/or 2P imaging

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

Newspaper Publishing

Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.

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