Staff Research Associate 2

Research Associate Position

Research in the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology (IBP) is dedicated to explaining the function of complex biological systems, in cells, organs, and individuals. The recent rapid advances in molecular and cell biology and genetics, including the sequencing of numerous genomes, has provided an unprecedented opportunity to use this new information to understand how the genes interact to produce emergent phenotypes in complex systems.

The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Principal Investigator. The incumbent will manage and maintain the laboratory including lab supplies, repairs, animal husbandry, protocols, safety, and certifications for personnel. Incumbent will be in charge of surgeries and preparations of surgical tools and instrumentation, and training others on surgical techniques. Incumbent will collect publication quality data in the form of electrophysiological recordings and both sleep and behavioral analyses, pharmacological responses and histological images with experimental animals and protocols.

Incumbent will also assist the PI and other lab personnel with characterizing estrous cycle staging via swabbing, plating, and image analysis. Incumbent will process sleep recordings for state scoring, working closely with members of the lab to develop and complete projects. She/he should have some previous experience with sleep recording and scoring methodologies, approaches, and technologies, including EEG/EMG signal recordings and processing protocols.

The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to work with some supervision on data from mice and rats that require attention to electrode placements and background knowledge on the current literature. S/he will also be responsible for upkeep and organization of lab computer files, and keep accurate and current records of all lab work in a laboratory notebook. S/he will also work on projects for which sleep scoring is essential: studies of substance use disorder, post-traumatic stress, estrous cycle influences in memory consolidation during sleep, and sleep for insight.

Previous experience working with sleep and learning in team is desirable.

• Demonstrated experience in programming in MATLAB and other languages.
• Demonstrated experience in managing several tasks, keeping all on track and organized.
• Experience with following and enforcing guidelines relating to laboratory safety.
• Ability to use standard computer programming tools and databases.
• Ability to maintain a laboratory record containing clear well-organized summaries of experiments and results.
• Ability to maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Skill in communicating problems and information in a timely and critical manner.
• Ability to maintain and use in-house databases.
• Ability to conduct independent work on mice and rat brains.
• Ability to teach others in lab, particularly for sleep scoring and analyses.
• Knowledge of University guidelines relating to biological safety.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to keep accurate records of animal inventory, chemical and plasmid stocks, and laboratory supplies.
• Ability to work independently, supervise others, and follow through with tasks.
• Ability to use standard computer programming tools and databases.
• Ability to maintain a laboratory record containing clear well-organized summaries of experiments and results.

• Bachelor's Degree biological science and basic familiarity with neuroscience or equivalent experience/training.

• Background Check:
  Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
• Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.
• Age Requirement:
  Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.
• CANRA:
  The position is designated as a mandatory reporter under CANRA. The employee must sign the "Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse".
• Clery Act:
  The position is a designated CSA (Campus Security Authority) under Clery Act requirements.

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

RX-Research Support Professionals