Lab Technician-Luo Lab

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking a full-time Lab Technician to join the Luo Lab at The University of Utah, focusing on the neural circuits that underlie decision-making and attention. The role involves handling and training animals, conducting electrophysiology sessions, and managing lab operations.

Ideal candidates will possess a Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field, have experience in laboratory settings, and demonstrate strong communication and organizational skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related scientific field or equivalency required.
• Skilled in laboratory equipment and statistical calculations.
• Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Handle and train rats on complex cognitive tasks.
• Conduct in vivo electrophysiology recording sessions.
• Manage lab inventory and maintain equipment.

Skills

Handling and training rats

Designing and maintaining behavioral rigs

Surgical techniques

Computational analysis

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, or related field

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Job description

Lab Technician - Luo Lab

Job Summary

The Luo Lab at The University of Utah is seeking a full-time Lab Technician to join our team investigating the neural circuits underlying decision-making and attention. We combine sophisticated behavioral paradigms in rats with large-scale in vivo electrophysiological recordings and causal circuit manipulations using optogenetics. The successful candidate will be an integral member of our research group, providing technical support for ongoing projects and contributing to the lab's vibrant scientific environment.

Responsibilities

Animal Behavior

• Handle and train rats on complex cognitive tasks.
• Design, build, and maintain custom behavioral rigs for rats, including integrating sensors, actuators, and control electronics.
• Use maker tools (CAD design and 3D printing) to prototype and refine rig components.
• Run daily behavioral sessions, meticulously collecting and organizing performance data.

Surgical Procedures

• Assist with and, following training, independently perform stereotaxic survival surgeries to implant microelectrode arrays and optic fibers.
• Perform diligent post-operative care and monitoring to ensure animal welfare.

Experiments

• Conduct in vivo electrophysiology recording sessions from multiple brain regions in behaving animals.
• Implement optogenetic protocols to precisely activate or inhibit neural populations during cognitive tasks.
• Troubleshoot experimental hardware and software setups.

Data Management & Analysis Support

• Assist with computational analysis by executing established data processing pipelines on newly collected datasets.
• Perform data quality control checks to ensure integrity before advanced analysis.
• Manage and curate large-scale neurophysiological and behavioral datasets, ensuring proper organization and documentation.
• Generate standardized figures and summary reports for lab meetings using existing scripts.

General Laboratory Support

• Accomplish day-to-day care and housekeeping of the laboratory.
• Maintain the rodent colony in accordance with all institutional and federal animal care guidelines.
• Manage lab inventory, order supplies, and maintain equipment.
• Prepare sterile surgical tools, solutions, and reagents.
• Keep detailed and accurate experimental records in an electronic laboratory notebook.

This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency that may be required:

Nearly Continuously: Office environment.

Often: Exposure to animals.

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required

Nearly Continuously: Hearing, listening, talking.

Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking, standing, sitting.

Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, or other scientific disciplines in a related field or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience) required; knowledge of complex laboratory techniques, equipment, terminology, materials and substances. Skilled in the use of laboratory equipment, ability to create and analyze statistical calculations and prepare reports required; and demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills also required. OSHA training and certification in animal care and use or the willingness to complete the certification may be required by some departments.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences

• A Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience, Biology, Psychology, Bioengineering, or a closely related field. Two years of related work experience can be substituted for one year of education.
• OSHA training and certification in animal care and use or the willingness to complete the certification.
• Exceptional organizational skills, a high level of meticulousness, and strong problem-solving abilities.
• The ability to work independently after training as well as collaboratively within a team.
• Excellent communication skills and a strong desire to learn new techniques.
• Comfortable and willing to work with rodents.
• Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.
• Due to the training required for this role, a minimum of 2-year commitment to this lab is required.