Research Assistant - Preventive Medicine

• Job Type: Support Staff - Union
• Bargaining Unit: SSA
• Regular/Temporary:
  Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $63,234.71 to $63,234.71 annual

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

The Zeltser lab is looking for a motivated laboratory Research Assistant to join their team. The lab studies how the sympathetic nervous system regulates metabolism and how this is impacted by obesity and aging. We utilize a variety of genetically engineered mouse models, virus-based neural tracing and chemo genetic approaches, single nuclear transcriptomics, and in vivo physiological and metabolic measurements. The ultimate goal is to identify neural circuits that regulate distinct aspects of brown fat and function and systemic metabolism.

Duties will include physiological and metabolic assays in mice and neuroanatomical analyses (mounting, staining and imaging brain sections) as well as assisting lab-members with experiments.

• Perform daily lab activities and assist lab members with their experiments.
• Help with mouse colony maintenance.
• Perform neuroanatomical assays including mounting and immunohistochemical staining in sections, clearing and immunostaining in intact brains, and imaging using confocal and light sheet microscopy.
• Perform physiological and metabolic assays in mice.
• Ability to statistically analyze and present experimental data.
• Assisting in developing and carrying out standard procedures for protocols.
• Assisting in data collection.
• Training and coordinating the work of the technicians and overseeing operations for a section of the lab.
• Complex assignments, following standard proficiency and ability to make detailed observations and manipulations.
• May train lower level technicians.
• Works under limited supervision.
• Ability to set up and conduct experiments or activities according to established protocols and record data.
• Ability to statistically analyze and present experimental data.
• Collecting and preparing samples and tissue specimens for experimental and diagnostic purposes, with Clinical Trials activities:
  Eliciting information from patients in accordance with a structured interview
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, physics or related science and at least 1.5 yrs of related experience or equivalent in training and/or experience.
• Strong technical accuracy, reliability, attention to detail, organizational skills, and adherence to safety guidelines.
• Excellent communication skills and a keen interest in biological sciences.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

• Familiarity with molecular biology techniques for measuring mRNA and protein.
• Experience in mouse handling and colony maintenance highly preferred.
• Basic knowledge of histological procedures, such as immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, is preferred but not essential.
• Proficiency in R is preferred but not essential.
• Proven ability to perform complex experiments efficiently and effectively.

• The candidate selected for this position is required to undergo a drug screening test prior to a final offer of employment being made.
• Participation in the medical surveillance program:
  • Position involves working with laboratory animals.
• Successful completion of applicable compliance and systems training requirements.

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.