Research Staff Assistant

Position Summary

Columbia University's Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute unites world-class scientists across diverse academic disciplines to conduct groundbreaking research that transforms our understanding of the brain and its influence on the mind and behavior.

As a leading neuroscience institute, our mission is to decipher the mind and brain to better understand behavior. Our researchers are committed to foundational science, uncovering the principles that shape how the brain develops, functions, and recovers.

With more than 50 labs, the Zuckerman Institute serves as a hub for collaboration, bringing together Columbia’s top scholars to drive research in bold new directions. Located in Manhattanville, our state-of-the-art Jerome L. Greene Science Center provides an inspiring home for discovery in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

The laboratory of Dr. Charles Zuker at the Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute is looking for a highly motivated and curious Research Staff Assistant to 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 body-brain axis inform the brain of the state of body tissues, organs, and physiology.

This is not "just a job"—it is an invitation to be at the forefront of neuroscience. We are looking for a collaborator who is genuinely fascinated by how the brain monitors the state of the body and is eager to contribute to high-impact discovery.

We foster a culture where curiosity is rewarded and every team member’s growth is a priority. We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated professional to join us for at least two years before pursuing their next opportunity in science or medicine. As a Research Staff Assistant, you won't just perform experiments; you will learn to design them, conduct them independently, and communicate the results. You will be an integral part of a diverse, collaborative team of postdocs and graduate students, receiving hands-on training in a wide array of advanced techniques. If you are organized, responsible, and looking for a world-class environment to sharpen your scientific inquiry skills, this is the ideal role for you.

This is a full-time grant-funded role.

Responsibilities

• Experimental Design & Partnership: Collaborate closely with a Postdoctoral Fellow to conceptualize, design, and refine experiments investigating the body-brain axis. You will be expected to think critically about experimental controls, troubleshoot technical hurdles, and suggest iterative improvements to our protocols.
• Mastery of Advanced Techniques: Undergo specialized training to perform and eventually lead complex biological procedures, including stereotaxic manipulations, mouse survival surgeries, and the use of viral systems for chemogenetics and optogenetics.
• Neuroanatomical Mapping & Histology: Following physiological or behavioral studies, you will lead the "bench-side" validation of our experiments. This includes brain and tissue harvesting, precision tissue slicing (vibratome/cryostat), and high-level immunostaining (IHC/IF) with antibodies to map neural circuits and protein expression.
• Data Analysis & Interpretation: Take ownership of the data lifecycle. Beyond just "collecting" numbers, you will analyze results, interpret their biological significance, and present findings during lab meetings to help shape the next steps of the research.
• Lab Support: Ordering lab supplies and maintaining inventories of chemicals and reagents for experimental procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience, Biology, Bioengineering, or a related field is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in a research environment
• The ideal candidate should exhibit the following:
  • Science-First Mindset: You have a deep-seated passion for biological discovery. You want to understand how things work, not just follow a protocol.
  • Rapid Learner: While prior lab experience is a significant plus, we value the ability to learn quickly and adapt to new technologies above all else.
  • Detail-Oriented: You take pride in the precision of your work and the integrity of your data.

Salary Range

45,900 - 50,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Job Details

• Job Type: Support Staff - Non-Union
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building: Jerome L. Greene Science Center