Research Assistant

Department Overview

The Department of Pediatrics is looking for a Research Assistant (1.0 FTE) to join our research team with experience in a neuroscience lab.


The applicant should have a degree in Life Sciences relevant experience including familiarity with basic Molecular Biology techniques (PCR, RT-PCR) and/or basic Microscopy.

The applicant should be comfortable handling rodents (neonatal and adult).

Function/Duties of Position

This position is ideal for a candidate seeking to gain more experience relevant to human physiology, because the project involves work not only with a neonatal rodent model of brain hypoxia, but also with a large animal model of fetal brain hypoxia in pregnant sheep. These projects will provide excellent experience to launch a career in biomedical sciences as a physician scientist, a biomedical researcher or as preparation for medical school. The projects require a mature individual with excellent time management skills who will work primarily on projects involving live newborn mice and also intermittently assisting in an active sheep laboratory. Both projects are focused on complementary questions related to the impact of exposure to hypoxia on brain development. Both of these NIH-funded research projects will define mechanisms leading to disruption of neuronal development and disturbances in long-term learning and memory mechanisms. The candidate will work with our chief sheep surgeon and must be comfortable with handling animals (mice and sheep) and providing surgical support in a large animal surgery suite with a sterile operating room. Prior small or large animal handling experience is required. Additional training will be provided by faculty working in the sheep and rodent labs.

The projects will employ a range of approaches ranging from histology to advanced molecular approaches. These include analysis of neuronal morphology using advanced microscopic approaches for single cell reconstruction, electrophysiology, advanced MRI analysis and behavioral studies. Some studies are on-going under the supervision of postdoctoral fellows or junior faculty in the lab. The candidate will work closely with these senior individuals on independent aspects of the rodent and sheep hypoxia studies. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to learn a range of techniques that we routinely use including animal surgery, tissue sectioning/staining for quantitative analysis, western blotting and other molecular techniques. Responsibilities include designing and conducting experiments, data analysis, record-keeping and data presentation. Attend weekly lab meetings and present your research.


Relevant publication illustrating the nature of the projects include: Sheep studies: Science Translational Medicine 16,5(168):168ra7, 2013; Journal of Neuroscience, 39(40):7853-7871, 2019, Annals of Neurology 70: 493-507, 2011. Mouse studies: Journal of Neuroscience 46(16): e1643252026.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or OR Associate's AND 3 years of relevant experience OR 4 years of relevant experience OR Equivalent combination of training and experience.
• The applicant should be comfortable handling rodents (neonatal and adult).
• The applicant should have familiarity with basic Molecular Biology techniques (PCR, RT-PCR) and/or basic Microscopy.
• Computer knowledge/skills.
• Good communication skills.
• Excellent recordkeeping
• Possess the ability to work independently while functioning within a team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Coursework taken pertaining to Neurobiology/Neuroscience or Physiology is preferred.
• Familiarity with any one or all of the following:
  • confocal/fluorescence microscopy
  • cell culture techniques handling fixed/frozen tissue sections for immunohistochemistry
  • mouse genetics
  • protein assays
• Experience in advanced molecular biology, biochemistry techniques.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, be enthusiastic about their work, and be highly motivated to succeed in a multi-disciplinary/multi-collaborator setting that provides a wealth of opportunities in one of the major universities for neuroscience research in the U.S.

Additional Details

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