Neuroscience Research Assistant - Precision Psychiatry

Columbia University Irving Medical Center; New York (NY); On-site; USD 26,139 - 37,229; Part time

Job summary

Columbia University Irving Medical Center seeks a CS-Research Assistant for the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Center for Precision Psychiatry. Your role will involve investigating cognitive deficits related to schizophrenia, particularly the mechanisms of working memory in Setd1a-mutant mice, using advanced techniques.

Qualifications include being a Master's degree student or a current college student in their junior, senior or sophomore year. The position offers part-time hours and a pay rate of $23.00 per hour.

Qualifications

• Master's degree student or Senior, Junior, Sophomore college student.

Responsibilities

• Identify underlying mechanisms of working memory in schizophrenia.
• Utilize chemogenetic tools and calcium imaging techniques.
• Observe the functional role of the prefrontal cortex.

Education

Master's degree or current college enrollment (Senior, Junior, Sophomore)

Job description

• Job Type: Short Term Casual
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Temporary
• End Date if Temporary: 08/31/2026
• Hours Per Week: 20
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $23.00-$23.00
  
  

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.

Position Summary

At the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Center for Precision Psychiatry & Mental Health, we envision a near future when mental illness is treated in novel, targeted, and tailored ways, based on a new understanding of how mental illness develops and persists, unique to each individual. Our mission is to apply advances in neuroscience, technology and precision medicine to psychiatry; to create breakthroughs that further our understanding of the biological causes and underpinnings of mental illness; and to discover treatments that alleviate suffering from conditions previously considered untreatable. By addressing biological causes, and identifying genetic and other biological markers, the SNF Center will eliminate the stigma of mental illnesses and address societal disparities by ensuring equitable access to breakthrough Precision Psychiatry treatments.

Responsibilities

The CS-Research Assistant will report to Drs. Joseph Gogos and Gaeun Park. The chosen candidate is expected to work on the following:

Project Detail: One of the symptoms for schizophrenia is cognitive deficit. We previously identified working memory deficit in schizophrenia mouse model, Setd1a-mutant mice. However, the underlying mechanism regards working memory is still elusive. We are planning to identify the underlying mechanism of working memory and its representation in the prefrontal cortex of Setd1a-mutant mice. Using chemogenetic tool and calcium imaging technique that our lab is currently possessed, we are planning to observe the functional role of prefrontal cortex in regards working memory. This would help us understand how cognitive deficit of Schizophrenia can be protrude and suggest possible therapeutic approach to rescue such deficit in schizophrenia-mutant mice.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree student or Senior, Junior, Sophomore college student.
  
  

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.