Lab/Research Technician - Pharmacology and Toxicology

Advertising Summary

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’s sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.

Unit: School Of Medicine

Department: Pharmacology and Toxicology

Department Summary

The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology of Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to an outstanding education of professional and graduate students as well as to cutting edge research. The atmosphere of the department is one of congeniality and collaboration. Alumni of the department have achieved prominent roles in academia, industry, and government. The goal of the department is to contribute to improved health through a better understanding of the mechanism of action of safer and more effective therapies. The education of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who have the potential to become independent, highly regarded scientists and excellent teachers in pharmacology is a priority.

Duties & Responsibilities

Seeking a highly motivated laboratory technician with experience in electrophysiology to support Alzheimer’s-related research focused on neuronal function and circuit activity. Responsibilities include preparing experimental materials, performing and assisting with electrophysiological recordings, maintaining laboratory equipment, and organizing experimental data. Candidate should have strong technical, organizational, and communication skills, along with experience in patch clamp electrophysiology, data analysis, and general laboratory procedures.

Core Responsibilities

Preparing and maintaining brain slice or cell culture experiments, operating electrophysiology recording systems, and assisting with whole-cell patch clamp or extracellular recording procedures. Responsibilities include preparing solutions and reagents, maintaining laboratory equipment, collecting and organizing experimental data, and supporting analysis. Responsibilities will also include assistance with animal handling, histology, and general laboratory organization to ensure efficient day-to-day research operations.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Experience with acute and organotypic brain slice electrophysiology including heterologous expression systems used for whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology (i.e. primary cell culture and/or stably-transfected cell lines). Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

Electrophysiology experience including prior hands-on experience with single-channel, whole-cell patch clamp, extracellular recordings, and related electrophysiological techniques in brain slices or cultured neurons. Candidates will be expected to have familiarity with data acquisition and analysis software, such as pClamp, Clampfit, MATLAB, or Python, as well as experience preparing ACSF/internal solutions and maintaining electrophysiology equipment. Additional desirable qualifications include strong organizational and communication skills, experience with rodent handling and basic histological techniques, and the ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative research environment.