Preclinical Laboratory Research Assistant

SUMMARY

Engage in all aspects of original scientific research, including assessing behavior, pathophysiology, molecular mechanisms, and laboratory maintenance. Integrate existing scientific literature, apply appropriate research methods, data collection, data management, and statistical data analysis.

• Develop research proposals aligned with the military medical mission of Blast Induced Neurotrauma (BINT).
• Prepare written animal use and/or human subject protocols for funded projects.
• Navigate the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Human Use Review Committee (HURC) for protocol approval.
• Draft original research protocols and address committee concerns during reviews.
• Conduct literature reviews and develop summary reports of existing scientific literature.
• Routinely review scientific literature relevant to ongoing research in blast traumatic brain injury and polytrauma.
• Design and coordinate experiments.
• Direct research staff (e.g., post-doctoral fellows, research associates, and assistants) and collaborators in executing experiments.
• Provide insights into experimental objectives and techniques.
• Provide expertise and guidance in traumatic brain injury and polytrauma.
• Perform complex tasks and develop new technical methods for neuroscience, injury, and blast research.
• Assess physiological and neurosensory function and neurobehavior.
• Perform routine and specialized surgical procedures with animal experimental subjects.
• Employ aseptic surgical procedures, including stereotaxic cannulation surgery, microinjection of dyes, and surgical implantation of probes.
• Evaluate neuroprotective pharmacological therapies using behavioral, physiological, histopathological, and neurochemical outcome measures.
• Conduct tests such as electroretinography, Auditory Brainstem Response (A ), Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE), eye-tracking, Morris water maze, rotarod, novel object recognition, elevated plus maze, monitoring weight and temperature, cerebral blood flow and cerebrovascular evaluations, righting reflex, EEG recording of seizure and sleep, necropsy, and tissue sample collection procedures.
• Perform quantitative analytical assessments of molecular and cellular mediators underlying responses to stressors, injury, and countermeasures.
• Utilize techniques such as immunohistochemistry, proteomics, lipidomics, mRNA, miRNA, microarray protein analysis, quantitative PCR, Western blot, multiplex assays, and ELISA.
• Prepare tissue for light microscopy and assess histopathological features of injuries to lung, brain, and neurosensory systems.
• Use microscope software applications like Image-Pro Premier and data organization tools like Microsoft Excel.
• Perform laboratory-based actions associated with radio frequency engineering and related equipment.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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• Bachelor’s degree in biology, neuroscience, biomedical sciences, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred.
• Three (3) to five (5) years of experience.
• Experience in a laboratory setting, preferably in preclinical research.
• Proficiency in laboratory techniques and procedures.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements for animal and human research.
• Must obtain and maintain any necessary security access and/or background checks.

• Experience with animal handling and surgical procedures is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Full-time. May be required to work additional hours as needed to complete assignment or project.

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None.

Work is performed primarily in a clinic setting. Employee will be exposed to a wide variety of clients in differing functions, personalities, and abilities.

Be capable of lifting and moving equipment weighing up to 30 pounds and withstand prolonged periods of bending, reaching, moving about, or standing.…