Research Staff Assistant

• Job Type: Support Staff - Non-Union
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building: Jerome L. Greene Science Center
• Salary Range: $48,000 - $48,000

Position Summary

Columbia University's Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute unites world-class scientists across diverse academic disciplines to conduct groundbreaking research that transforms our understanding of the brain and its influence on the mind and behavior.

As a leading neuroscience institute, our mission is to decipher the mind and brain to better understand behavior. Our researchers are committed to foundational science, uncovering the principles that shape how the brain develops, functions, and recovers.

With more than 50 labs, the Zuckerman Institute serves as a hub for collaboration, bringing together Columbia’s top scholars to drive research in bold new directions. Located in Manhattanville, our state-of-the-art Jerome L. Greene Science Center provides an inspiring home for discovery in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

The Bendesky Lab studies the genetic and neuronal bases of behavior and its evolution. It has discovered mechanisms underlying the evolution of monogamous behaviors in rodents including parenting, it has recently sequenced the Siamese fighting fish genome, and it has developed tools to manipulate its genome and found the genetic bases of many of its phenotypic traits. More information about the lab can be found in the lab web page and the Zuckerman Institute lab page.

The lab has an exciting opportunity for recent graduates of a biology or chemistry field, seeking experience working in a research laboratory. The Research Staff Assistant will have the unique experience of working in a collaborative environment supporting the mission of the laboratory while gaining exposure to benchwork, data collection, and analysis, as well as lab management. The position can be viewed as a stepping-stone to further education, with previous incumbents having published research papers and continued to top PhD programs. The position will allow for the incumbent to learn and apply multiple research techniques and possibly to develop their own research project.

This is a regular, full-time grant funded role.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the PI and lab members,

• Benchwork duties, such as making solutions.
• Perform histology techniques.
• Assist with animal care.
• Help lab members with experiments.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• 0 - 3 months of experience in a research environment is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic chemistry techniques.
• Experience in molecular biology techniques, such as PCR. 
• Must be comfortable working with vertebrate animals such as fish and mice.
• Must be highly motivated, self-starter, with meticulous laboratory habits.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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