Research Assistant, Pharmacology

Job Description

The Meltzer Laboratory specializes in using new molecular and imaging tools to understand how neural signals regulate touch and pain sensation development and disease. Our approach is interdisciplinary and spans mouse genetics, molecular biology, RNA sequencing, confocal microscopy, electrophysiology, and in vivo analysis of mouse models.

The Research Assistant will facilitate establishing a laboratory and support research projects in the laboratory and is expected to be collaborative. Primary responsibilities will include general laboratory organization and support, maintenance of central laboratory databases, genotyping, mouse husbandry, and laboratory mouse colony organization. Motivated individuals will have the opportunity to learn how to perform anatomy, confocal microscopy, behavior, data analysis and interpretation.

• Opportunity to perform independent research
• Organize and maintain laboratory reagents and equipment
• Maintain essential mouse lines
• Assist with mouse maintenance and general laboratory operation
• Learn about how to establish a laboratory
• Be a collaborative and interactive member of our research community

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, neuroscience, biochemistry, chemistry or related is required.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community is strongly preferred.
• Skill in organizing resources, establishing priorities, and attention to detail is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, as well as basic computer skills are strongly preferred.
• Vanderbilt experience is preferred.
• Basic laboratory experience is required.