Laboratory Research Operations Assistant – University of Virginia

Frontier Perspectives; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Virginia's Connelly Laboratory is seeking a Laboratory Research Operations Assistant to join an interdisciplinary team in Charlottesville, Virginia. This full-time role involves hands-on work in molecular biology, neuroscience, animal behavior, genomics, imaging, and general lab operations, under Professor Jessica Connelly.

You will support small-animal husbandry, tissue collection, DNA/RNA analyses, cell culture, imaging, data management, and manuscript preparation, with

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• At least one year of laboratory experience is required, including undergraduate research experience.
• A bachelor's degree may be accepted in place of the required laboratory experience.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and manage a small-animal breeding colony, including daily animal husbandry.
• Conduct and document behavioral observations and analyses.
• Assist with small-animal surgical procedures.
• Collect, process, and biobank tissue samples.
• Isolate and analyze DNA and RNA from tissues and cells.
• Assist with cell culture and molecular biology experiments.
• Support confocal microscopy and other imaging techniques, including neuroimaging.
• Maintain accurate experimental records and ensure data quality.
• Manage laboratory inventory, reagents, equipment, and supplies.
• Ensure compliance with institutional animal-care and laboratory-safety protocols.
• Train and supervise undergraduate research assistants.
• Support laboratory organization, maintenance, and workflow improvement.
• Contribute to scientific manuscripts, grant preparation, and research presentations.

Skills

Laboratory experience

Animal handling

Behavior analysis

Molecular biology

Neuroscience

DNA/RNA extraction

Cell culture

Imaging

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree may substitute for required lab experience

Job description

Laboratory Research Operations Assistant – University of Virginia

The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia

Location Charlottesville, Virginia, United States

Country United States

Field Research

Laboratory Research Operations Assistant Job at the University of Virginia

The Connelly Laboratory at the University of Virginia (UVA) is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Laboratory Research Operations Assistant to join its interdisciplinary research team in Charlottesville, Virginia. This full-time research position is well suited to candidates seeking hands‑on experience in molecular biology, neuroscience, animal behavior, genomics, imaging, and laboratory operations.

The Connelly Laboratory conducts translational research in neuroepigenetics, investigating how DNA methylation and gene regulation influence brain development, behavior, and health throughout the lifespan. The laboratory combines molecular biology, genomics, imaging, and animal models to examine how early‑life experiences, particularly birth‑related interventions, affect the oxytocin system in mothers and offspring.

The successful candidate will work closely with Professor Jessica Connelly and other members of the research team. The position offers an opportunity to participate in scientific research while gaining experience in laboratory management, experimental procedures, animal research, molecular biology, and data collection.

Key Responsibilities

The Laboratory Research Operations Assistant will be responsible for supporting research activities and day‑to‑day laboratory operations. Major responsibilities include:

• Maintaining and managing a small‑animal breeding colony, including daily animal husbandry
• Conducting and documenting behavioral observations and analyses
• Assisting with small‑animal surgical procedures
• Collecting, processing, and biobanking tissue samples
• Isolating and analyzing DNA and RNA from tissues and cells
• Assisting with cell culture and molecular biology experiments
• Supporting confocal microscopy and other imaging techniques, including neuroimaging
• Maintaining accurate experimental records and ensuring data quality
• Managing laboratory inventory, reagents, equipment, and supplies
• Ensuring compliance with institutional animal‑care and laboratory‑safety protocols
• Training and supervising undergraduate research assistants
• Supporting laboratory organization, maintenance, and workflow improvement
• Contributing to scientific manuscripts, grant preparation, and research presentations
• Performing other duties as assigned

Professional Development Opportunities

This position provides candidates with opportunities to develop practical research and laboratory‑management skills. The successful candidate may receive:

• Direct mentorship from the principal investigator and senior scientists
• Opportunities to contribute to scientific publications and potentially receive authorship
• Experience with grant writing and experimental design
• Opportunities to present research at national and international conferences
• Experience working in a collaborative and intellectually stimulating research environment

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• At least one year of laboratory experience, including undergraduate research experience
• A bachelor's degree may be accepted in place of the required laboratory experience

Preferred Qualifications

The University of Virginia prefers candidates with some of the following qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a life‑science discipline
• Experience working with rodent models and animal handling
• Background in animal behavior analysis
• Experience with dissection and/or small‑animal surgery
• Familiarity with DNA/RNA extraction, qPCR, and molecular biology techniques
• Experience with cell culture
• Experience with neuroimaging pipeline design and analysis

Salary and Employment Details

The salary range for this position is $19.00–$21.50 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience.

This is a full‑time, benefited position located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The position is restricted, meaning continuation is dependent on available funding and satisfactory performance.

The role involves extended periods of standing and squatting while conducting experiments and caring for animals. The position also requires keyboarding, laboratory benchwork, and animal procedures involving fine‑finger manipulation.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

International applicants should carefully consider this requirement before applying.

Background Check and Health Screening

The University of Virginia will conduct background checks on new hires before employment. A pre‑employment health screening is also required before the successful candidate can begin employment.

• CV/Resume

About the University of Virginia

The University of Virginia is a major public research university in Charlottesville, Virginia, offering opportunities for research and professional development across a wide range of scientific disciplines.

Official Job ID: R0082682
Position: Laboratory Research Operations Assistant
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Employment: Full‑Time
Salary: $19.00–$21.50/hour
Visa Sponsorship: Not Available