Laboratory Research Specialist or Research Assistant

Job Description

University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Neurobiology, is currently recruiting a Contractual Laboratory Research Assistant or Specialist.

The position will conduct experiments uncovering the cellular and molecular mechanisms of olfactory dysfunction associated with aging and Alzheimer's Disease in the laboratory of Drs. Fuwen Zhou and Adam Puche (shared lab) in the Department of Neurobiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

This new 5-year NIH supported project is aimed at investigating the olfactory function of adult, normal aging, and animal models of neurodegenerative disease in experiments spanning from the genome to cells, to circuits, and to behavior.

Please submit a cover letter with your application that describes how your experience makes you a good fit for this job opportunity.

Contingent Category II

UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development, along with additional exciting perks that employees can take advantage of. Contingent Category II staff receive a generous leave package that includes over 2 weeks of vacation each year, paid holidays, sick time, and time for community service; subsidized comprehensive health insurance and supplemental retirement options; professional learning and development programs;

limited tuition remission for employees enrolled at UMB; life insurance and long-term disability; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job).

UMB is a public university and constituent institution of the University System of Maryland. All employees are expected to work primarily physically within the State of Maryland.

• Manage mouse colony maintenance (main duty);
• Perform (or assist with) small animal stereotaxic surgeries and post-operative care;
• Perform small animal behavioral testing;
• Conduct routine and advanced laboratory techniques, such as western blotting, immunocytochemistry and confocal imaging;
• Support general laboratory administrative operations, including but not limited to, ordering supplies, reconciling supply purchasing accounts, maintaining laboratory records; assist developing or reviewing laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs), etc.;
• Perform routine laboratory maintenance and research activities, including but not limited to, organizing the lab, preparing solutions, media, stains and buffers;
• Assist with data analysis using various relevant computer software applications;
• Assist with literature research, editing and preparing manuscripts, scientific illustrations, and computer graphics for publication;
• Assist with creation and management of research compliance administration;
• Assist with laboratory educational duties, such as training and guiding students and/or other laboratory personal.

• Perform routine laboratory maintenance and research activities such as: general housekeeping, wipe tests, ELISA assays, preparing solutions, media, stains, and buffers; cultures and specimens; autoradiograms and photomicrographs, executing biochemical procedures such as: electrophoresis, blotting, chromatography, and DNA extractions, etc.
• May perform advanced laboratory research activities such as: animal surgery, microscopy techniques, imaging techniques, recombinant DNA techniques, protein purification, and hybridizations, etc. May participate in the design of research studies.
• Compile and may analyze research data using various relevant computer software applications. Assist with literature research, editing and preparing manuscripts, scientific illustrations and computer graphics for publication.
• Perform administrative duties such as: training and guiding students and/or other laboratory technicians; assisting in developing policies, procedures and/or methods for laboratory experimentation; and ordering supplies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Perform independent project(s) and participate in the design of research studies. Compile, analyze, and interpret research data using various relevant computer software applications.
• Independently perform day to day laboratory research activities such as: general housekeeping, daily observations of animal health; collection of cultures and biological specimens for diagnostic testing and monitoring of animal health; diagnostic molecular (ELISA), bacteriological, or biological assays; breeding colonization processes; irradiation of blood products; and executing biochemical or hematopoietic procedures such as: bone marrow aspirations, complete blood count, white cell differential, electrophoresis, blotting, chromatography, PCR and DNA extractions, etc.;
  
  and may require performing psychological enrichment of certain species.
• Administer day-to-day laboratory operations including monitoring the budget, ensuring quality control and safety compliance, developing policies and procedures, and…