Research Assistant | Laboratory of Neurotechnology and Biophysics

Organization OverviewNeurobiological discoveries have been fueled in recent years by rapid development of optical imaging tools. Over the last decade the Laboratory of Neurotechnology and Biophysics has developed a wide portfolio of advanced optical neurotechnologies that have enabled large-scale optical interrogation of neuronal population activity at high spatiotemporal resolution across model systems. These capabilities have opened up new opportunities for understanding the fundamental principles of how brain-wide neurocomputation and animal behavior emerges from dynamic interaction of vast and highly distributed neuronal populations in the mammalian brain. Developing and applying new neurotechnologies towards these other neuroscience questions represents a major focus of the lab in the coming years. These efforts have the potential to transform our understanding of how cognitive functions emerge from the connectivity and of neuroactivity as well as provide new avenues for the development of new class of biologically inspired AI algorithms and architectures.OverviewThe Research Assistant will play a crucial role in facilitating and being responsible for all aspects related to in vivo animal-related work required to characterize and apply the above optical technologies. They will work independently and collaboratively with other lab members including postdocs, graduate students and engineers in the lab on data acquisition and analysis while independently managing and owning areas related to in vivo animal-related work. As the success of multiple projects is highly dependent on the quality on their work, the successful candidate will a be highly organized, detail-oriented and self-motivated individual. They will join an intellectually stimulating high-end scientific research environment closely with a small interdisciplinary team of highly driven and passionate scientists. Candidates intending to apply to a graduate school are expected to commit for at least the duration of two years to this position. Prior experience with working with rodents, basic knowledge of molecular and neurobiology and hands-on experience with performing in vivo surgeries in rodents is required.ResponsibilitiesThe Research Assistant will be responsible for all aspects related to in vivo animal related work. These include:Testing and characterization of various fluorescent reporters of neuroactivityManagement of the animal colonyPerformance of in vivo cranial windows surgeriesStereotactic virus injectionsDevelopment of animal training protocols and apparatus for behavioral training and monitoring supported by technical staffPperforming in vivo experiments independently or collaboratively with other lab members using the advanced microscopy portfolio in the labThe Research Assistant will also be responsible for utilizing and expanding (as needed) the existing data processing pipeline and post-acquisition data analysis, documentation, compiling reports or manuscript sections.QualificationsREQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:Bachelor's degree in neuroscience, biology, or related fieldMust be highly organized, detail-oriented and self-motivated with excellent time management and be able to manage multiple tasksExcellent communication skillsMust have basic knowledge of rodent neuroanatomy and previous hands-on experience with rodent handing including stereotactic injectionsBasic knowledge of molecular biology tools including mouse genetics, cloning, plasmid design, sequencing and work with viral vectors is requiredPREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:Master's degree in neuroscience or related field is preferredPrevious experience with rodent cranial window surgery is strongly preferredExperience with rodent behavior or managing a colony is desirableExperience with two-photon in vivo microscopy or confocal microscopy as well as data analysis is desirableThe Rockefeller University is an equal opportunity employer - veterans/individuals with disabilities. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to characteristics protected by applicable local, state or federal law, including but not limited to disability and protected veteran status.The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on various factors, including but not limited to organizational budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The hiring range provided represents The Rockefeller University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.Compensation Range: MinUSD $50,000.00/Yr.Compensation Range: MaxUSD $55,000.00/Yr.