Research Assistant

The Department of Neuroscience is a basic research department that focuses on synaptic biology and glial biology. The lab of Dr. Dulla investigates how synapses are formed and remodeled in the developing nervous system with a broad focus on neurological disease and epilepsy. We address this question in mouse models, applying electrophysiological and imaging approaches, as well as mouse behavioral and in vivo electrophysiological studies.

The successful candidate will work directly with the Principal Investigator and a team to study the neurological effects of brain infection. The role involves understanding how the brain becomes infected with tuberculosis (TB) and how the brain's immune response drives varying outcomes. There are three primary tasks in this position:

1. Carry out TB infections in the brains of mice to understand the effects of the disease on the brain and the immune response. This requires coordination with collaborators and detail-oriented animal surgeries in a BSL-3 environment.
2. Analyze animal outcomes, anatomical data, and transcriptional data, and generate publication-quality figures demonstrating results, and contribute to the writing of reports, manuscripts, and presentations. Analyzing single-cell and/or single-nuclei RNAseq data will be a component.
3. Play a supportive role in the lab, contribute to general lab maintenance (ordering supplies, maintaining equipment, scheduling), and work with graduate students, post-docs, and research scientists to support their ongoing projects.

• Mouse care, animal surgery, tissue collection and preparation
• Confocal imaging, RNAseq, and data analysis
• Develops research study design, techniques and protocols in collaboration with Principal Investigator
• Reviews results and suggests modifications to experiments and protocols where necessary, writes and summarizes results for presentation and publication
  
• Coordinates efforts and communication between two collaborating labs
  
• Ordering, lab maintenance, and supporting lab operations

Basic Requirements:

• Knowledge and skills as typically acquired throug
• Bachelor's degree in science and 3-5 years of related laboratory experience OR Master's degree and at least one year of laboratory experience
  
• Extensive experience in rodent handling and care
  
• Extensive experience in microscopy, preferentially confocal fluorescence microscopy in tissue
  
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
  
• Extensive experience with statistics and quantitative analysis

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in science
• Knowledge of and experience with advanced laboratory techniques and procedures, data interpretation, and statistical analysis
• Experience working in a BSL-3 environment