Research Assistant - Wang Lab

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Our Commitment   

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.   

Who we are 

As one of the fastest-growing academic health centers in the nation, Texas A&M Health encompasses five colleges and numerous centers and institutes working together to improve health through transformative education, innovative research and team-based health care delivery. 

What we want  

The Research Assistant in at TAMU Health, Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics (NExT) provides skilled, administrative, and technical support in research. The position assists with multiple phases of research projects and plans and directs certain aspects of projects focused on understanding neural mechanisms underlying substance use disorders, cognitive flexibility, and Alzheimer’s disease. The Research Assistant collaborates with other research personnel.

What you need to know

Please note: This position is grant funded; future employment may be contingent upon future funding.  

Responsibilities:

Research

• Assists in the design, planning, and coordination of experiments in support of various research projects.

• Selects and applies standard techniques of routine research and keeps detailed record of data.

• Assists in the installation and operation of research equipment. May repair research equipment.

• Uses and computers and laboratories or technical equipment to perform data analysis, statistical analysis and technical evaluation of research experiments and results.

• Evaluate and summarizes experiment results.

Lab- Specific Research Activity

• Conduct rodent behavioral experiments related to substance use disorders and Alzheimer’s disease, including operant self-administration, extinction, reinstatement, novel object recognition, Barnes maze, and related behavioral assays.

• Assist with stereotaxic procedures, viral-vector or tracer delivery, and in vivo neural recording or manipulation methods under approved protocols.

• Perform tissue collection, brain sectioning, immunohistochemistry, microscopy, and verification of experimental targeting.

• Organize, analyze, graph, and document behavioral, imaging, electrophysiological, or other neuroscience data; maintain accurate laboratory and animal-study records.

Research Publications

• Assists in preparing and writing proposals to funding agencies; maintains financial accounts related to research projects.

• Assists with reports, invoices, and cataloging records.

Mentorship

• Assists undergraduate and/or graduate students and other laboratory, technical or field staff involved in research.

• Assists with reports, invoices, and cataloging records.

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in neuroscience, biology, psychology, biomedical sciences, or a related field.

• Experience working with mice or rats in behavioral neuroscience research.

• Experience with one or more of the following: operant behavior, stereotaxic surgery, viral-vector delivery, histology, microscopy, electrophysiology, or in vivo neural imaging.

• Experience with quantitative data analysis and scientific software such as GraphPad Prism, MATLAB, Python, R, or equivalent tools.

• Strong organizational, communication, and scientific writing skills, with the ability to work cooperatively in a multidisciplinary research team.

• A record of co-authored peer-reviewed publications, preprints, or conference presentations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of computers and computer software related to the position.

• Knowledge of laboratory maintenance and equipment.

• Attention to detail.

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered, or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application. 

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.