"Senior Lab Technician"

Position Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Senior Lab Technician for the School of Arts and Sciences. Located in the The Huda Lab interested in learning cutting-edge in-vivo imaging techniques to investigate the role of neuronal and astrocyte circuits in motor control and cognitive behaviors during health and disease.

Our work combines a portfolio of diverse techniques, including multicolor two-photon microscopy, quantitative mouse behavior, chemogenetics, optogenetics, and electrophysiology.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• Provides professional level laboratory technical support duties involving the application of scientific research methods and techniques.
• Assists with experiments by performing behavioral training, microscopy imaging, surgeries, perfusions, immunohistochemistry, and data analysis.
• Maintains animal colony by setting up breeding pairs, separating litters, and genotyping transgenic lines.
• Orders supplies, overall lab upkeep
• Current projects in the lab include: Role of prefrontal cortical excitatory-inhibitory circuits in alcohol use disorders & Role of astrocyte-neuron interactions in movement and reinforcement learning.
• In addition to scientific support work, this position also requires general lab upkeep, ordering, animal colony management, and maintaining animal and biosafety protocols for the lab.

Minimum Education and Experience

• A bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline.
• A combination of two years college-level science curriculum plus two years relevant laboratory technician or research study experience carrying out research protocols and tests may be substituted for the degree. An additional equivalent amount of college-level study in an appropriate science curriculum may be substituted for the experience in the above combination.

Equipment Utilized

• TDT Fiber Photometry System.
• Animal behavior analysis using DeepLabCut.
• Python programming skills for data analysis.
• Custom behavioral rigs.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Able to delivery packages.
• Regular workweek may include evening and/or weekend work.
• Able to lift and move up to 30 pounds.
• Operate and maintain sophisticated equipment.

Special Conditions

Previous experience with the following:

1. Stereotactic surgeries for virus injection and fiber optic implants
2. Running fiber photometry experiments
3. Analyzing fiber photometry experiments.
4. Using behavioral paradigms in head-fixed mice.
5. Managing an animal colony with multiple transgenic mouse lines.
6. Lab ordering and general lab upkeep/maintenance