• Job Type: Support Staff - Non-Union
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $45,600 - $55,000

Position Summary

Columbia University's Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute (Zuckerman Institute) supports interdisciplinary neuroscience research and discovery by scientists and scholars across the university and promises to be the most comprehensive institute for brain science. Located in a state-of-the-art facility, world class researchers are brought together to transform our understanding of the brain and mind.

The Losonczy laboratory at the Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute has an opening for a full-time Research Staff Assistant to assist with behavioral and neurophysiological research studying the organization of neural networks in the mammalian hippocampus and how they encode spatial and episodic memories, both in the healthy brain and in models of neuropsychiatric disease.  This role is grant funded and subject to continued availability of funding.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining basic laboratory functions such as animal husbandry and genotyping,
• Ordering lab supplies, assisting with behavioral experiments in mice,
• Assisting with stereotactic survival surgeries and post-operative care, immunohistochemistry, and confocal and functional microscopy.
• Participating in research project efforts utilizing live imaging and manipulation of neural circuit function in awake, behaving mice using advanced techniques (e.g. 2-photon microscopy, optogenetics, chemogenetics) under the supervision of an MD/PhD physician-scientist in the lab, with co-authorship on resulting publications based on level of contribution
• Additional responsibilities as assigned by the Principal Investigator

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline.  Two (2) years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• This position is ideal for a graduating senior who wishes to gain valuable laboratory and research experience before pursuing a PhD and/or MD in the future. The lab has a successful track record with past members securing positions in these areas upon completing their tenure as laboratory technicians. Laboratory experience, prior study in the biological sciences, and strong organizational and interpersonal skills are necessary for the position; programming/coding skills are preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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