Position Summary

The technician will be responsible for, but not limited to, performing a wide variety of histological and molecular biology procedures on human postmortem brain tissue samples for several projects in the lab. Techniques include vibratoming, immunohistochemistry, Western blots, post-mortem brain catalog/organizing and extensive microscopy work, including confocal imaging. The technician will perform quantitative morphologic analyses, including collecting microscopic images and characterizing axonal and synaptic changes and a variety of other neuropathologic parameters. Mass-spectrometry based proteomic studies will use laser capture microdissection for isolation of protein from specific brain regions. Further duties will include organizing the storage of formalin fixed brain samples and histology slides, data management, and performing other related tasks that are necessary to the functioning of the laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Technician will work in concert with other lab personnel to both perform experiments and analyze data from experiments essential for grant objectives, while also organizing and cataloging formalin fixed brain samples. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, preparing samples for histology core, prepare samples for cutting via vibratome or cryostat, perform immunohistochemical staining, perform protein extractions and western blot analysis, image-stained brain sections, analyze stained brain sections with quantitative microscopic methods, perform laser capture microdissection for proteomic analyses, and organize data from experiments for manuscript preparation.

  Immunohistochemistry ~40%

  Microscopy ~20%

  Histology analysis ~15%

  Western blots/Laser capture microdissection ~10%

  Organizing formalin fixed brain samples ~10%

  Vibratome/cryostat/tissue cutting ~5% 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or physics or a completed animal husbandry program or equivalent in education, training and experience. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of various related laboratory procedures and techniques preferred. 
• One year of related experience preferred. 

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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