• Job Type: Support Staff - Union
• Bargaining Unit: SSA
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $53,394.17 - $53,394.17

Position Summary

The Zeltser lab is looking for a motivated laboratory technician to join their team. The lab studies stress-induced behaviors in mice. We utilize a variety of genetically engineered mouse models, virus-based chemogenetic and optogenetic approaches, behavioral assays, and quantitative comparisons of patterns of brain activation using whole-brain clearing and imaging techniques. The ultimate goal is to identify circuits in the brain that regulate effects of stress on anxiety-related and feeding behaviors. Duties will include behavioral and metabolic assays in mice and neuroanatomical analyses (mounting, staining and imaging brain sections) as well as assisting lab-members with experiments.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily lab activities and assist lab members with their experiments. 
• Help with mouse colony maintenance.
• Perform neuroanatomical assays including mounting and immunohistochemical staining in sections, clearing and immunostaining in intact brains, and imaging using confocal and light sheet microscopy.
• Perform neurobehavioral and metabolic assays in mice.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, physics or related science or equivalent in education, training and/or experience.
• The candidate selected for this position is required to undergo a drug screening test prior to a final offer of employment being made.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences preferably with at least 1 year lab experience.
• Well-versed with molecular biology and basic techniques to measure mRNA and protein.
• Experience in mouse handling and colony maintenance highly preferred.
• Experience in basic histological procedures (i.e. immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization) is preferred but not essential. 
• Proficient at performing complicated experiments in a timely manner.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Other Requirements

• Willingness to work with mice.
• Technical accuracy, reliability, and attention to the details of procedural protocols, organizational skills, adherence to safety guidelines and the ability to work in a team.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills and a strong interest in biological sciences.
• Participation in the medical surveillance program:
  • Laboratory animals
  • Potential bloodborne pathogen exposure
• Must successfully complete applicable systems training requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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