Columbia University in the City of New York

Research Staff Assistant - Zuker Lab

The laboratory of Dr. Charles Zuker at the Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute is looking for a highly motivated Research Staff Assistant with an interest in the mechanisms underlying signal processing and information transfer in sensory systems to work in an exciting and innovative research environment. The candidate will work closely with a postdoctoral fellow on ongoing experiments using cutting-edge molecular, genetic, functional imaging, and behavioral methodologies to understand how neural circuits of the gut-brain axis inform the brain of the state of body tissues, organs, and physiology. This is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic, self-motivated professional looking to stay within the lab for at least 2 years before moving on to their next opportunity or graduate school/medical school. Strong candidates will be organized, responsible, and teamwork-oriented individuals who would enjoy working collaboratively with graduate students, postdocs, other technicians, and the laboratory staff in support of research goals.
 

This is a full-time grant-funded role.


Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Under the direction of a Postdoctoral Fellow, perform the following biological techniques: stereotaxic manipulations, mouse survival surgery, and use of various viral and nonviral systems to introduce genes into tissues and neurons, including experiments with chemogenomics and optogenetics.

  • Under the direction of a Postdoctoral Fellow, perform behavioral, genetic, and physiological experiments with various mouse strains; use antibodies, RNA probes, and the techniques of molecular biology to label and isolate genes of interest. May assist in the creation and verification of genetically engineered mouse lines.

  • Under the direction of a Postdoctoral Fellow, assist with mouse husbandry, genotyping, optimizing usage of each line, and characterizing lines.

  • Ordering lab supplies and maintaining inventories of chemicals and reagents for experimental procedures.

 

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline is required or experience equivalent required.

 

 

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.