• 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: $45,200 - $55,000

Position Summary

Columbia University's Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute brings together world-class scientists across academic disciplines conducting pioneering research to transform our understanding of how the brain works – and gives rise to mind and behavior. The Institute fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment across 50+ labs, advancing insights into human health by exploring how the brain develops, performs, endures and recovers.

At the Zuckerman Institute, we are committed to becoming a more inclusive, equitable and diverse place of scientific discovery and support a culture of respect. Promoting diversity in science will help drive the transformative science that can change the world.

Situated in the Jerome L. Greene Science Center on Columbia’s Manhattanville campus, the state-of-the-art building offers an environment where the highest level of scholarly scientific research takes place on a daily basis, with the benefit of being located in the heart of New York, one of the world’s most vibrant and culturally rich cities.

The laboratory of Huston at the Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute has an open position for a highly motivated Research Staff Assistant to assist working in a cutting-edge neuroscience laboratory. The Research Staff Assistant is to perform behavioral and genetic experiments on Drosophila melanogaster to understand the integration of visual and proprioceptive sensory inputs and their consequences for motor control.

Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of the PI, develop and run behavioral or electrophysiological protocols that measure how visual and proprioceptive inputs influence motor behavior in the flies.
• Creating transgenic fly lines, crosses and maintaining fly stocks.
• Collecting and analyzing data using Matlab, Excel, and/or Python.
• Document and train other lab members in lab protocols.
• Help with general lab maintenance.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant scientific or engineering field required.
• A minimum one (1) year of related experience in a research environment is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Applicants with previous experience working with sensory or motor systems are especially encouraged to apply. 

  Hands-on experience in at least two of the following areas preferable:

  • Patch clamp electrophysiology
  • Electrophysiology in insects
  • Drosophila genetics
  • Quantitative behavior
  • Immunohistochemistry and confocal imaging
  • Prototyping and debugging experimental apparatus
  • Computer programming (especially Matlab or Python)

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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