Research Staff Assistant

  • 554472
  • Manhattanville
  • Zuckerman Institute
  • Full Time
  • Opening on: Dec 16 2025
  • Grade R3
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  • Job Type: Support Staff - Non-Union
  • Regular/Temporary: Regular
  • Hours Per Week: 35
  • Building: Jerome L. Greene Science Center
  • Salary Range: $42,600 - $45,000
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.

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 El-Shamayleh lab at Columbia University’s Zuckerman Institute studies how the brain perceives visual objects. We seek a full-time employee to assist in neuroscience experiments involving animal behavioral training and neural data collection. The employee will participate in various aspects of daily experiments under close supervision from the PI and more senior lab members.

Candidates with a strong academic background in neuroscience and data analysis are encouraged to apply. Ideally, the candidate should be willing to commit to this role for a minimum of 2 years.

This is a full-time position. The Research Staff Assistant role is a grant-funded role and continued employment is contingent on the availability of funding by the Lab. 


Responsibilities

  • Assists in conducting daily neuroscience experiments.
  • Assists in project design and data analysis.
  • Performs behavioral training of large vertebrates.
  • Performs other laboratory setup duties as assigned by the PI.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's in neuroscience, biology, or a related scientific field.
  • Minimum of 6 months of related experience in a research laboratory.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Familiarity with neuroscience obtained through advanced undergraduate coursework.
  • Familiarity with using MATLAB for data analysis.
  • Knowledge of visual neuroscience.
  • Experience working with research animals.
  • Willingness to learn new techniques, ability to function in a fast-paced work environment, and readiness to be part of a dynamic team environment.
  • Strong organizational and communication skills.
  • Ability to perform work in accordance with safety regulations and standard lab protocols.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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