OPS Research Technician-Neuropharmacology of behavior

University of Florida; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Florida in Gainesville seeks an OPS Research Technician to support brain circuitry studies using in vivo methods such as electrophysiology, optogenetics, and imaging. The successful candidate must be organized, capable of complex technical work, and contribute to problem-solving with custom equipment.

Responsibilities include animal care, genotyping, and reagents preparation, with data analysis and protocol documentation as additional tasks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with relevant experience.
• Strong attention to detail required.
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills required.
• Experience with neuroscience lab methods is a plus.

Responsibilities

• In vivo neuroscience experiments including electrophysiology, optogenetics, imaging, and behavioral testing.
• Mouse genotyping and surgeries.
• Fluorescence microscopy and general lab maintenance.
• Data organization, analysis, and figure preparation.

Skills

Attention to detail

Interpersonal skills

Microscope operation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

High school diploma with 3 years relevant experience

Tools

Python

Matlab

Fluorescence microscopy

Job description

Classification Minimum Requirements

High school diploma and 3 years of relevant experience or Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least 1 year of relevant experience.

Classification Title

OPS Research Technician

Classification Minimum Requirements

High school diploma and 3 years of relevant experience or Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least 1 year of relevant experience.

Job Description

The Wesson lab is seeking a Research Technician for a full-time position to support studies into brain circuitry which orchestrates sensory-guided emotions, decisions, and motivated behaviors. The lab employs a range of in vivo methods including electrophysiology, optical imaging of neural activity, and quantitative behavior to understand neural function. The successful applicant should be highly organized and driven. Further, the successful applicant must be astute at both performing complex technical skills and innovating to solve experimental problems in the face of sophisticated custom-designed equipment. Some lower-level yet important aspects of the position will involve generating lab reagents and supporting animal care, including genotyping. The lab offers a supportive environment with opportunities to grow, and is housed in the highly collegial Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics in the UF College of Medicine.

Primary Responsibilities

• In vivo animal experimentation in the realm of neuroscience/neuropharmacology, including [some but not all]: electrophysiology, optogenetics, chemogenetics, imaging, behavioral testing, etc.
• Mouse genotyping and surgeries.
• Fluorescence microscopy (epifluorescence).
• General lab maintenance including chemical and reagent generation.

Additional Responsibilities

• Data organization, analysis, and figure preparation
• Equipment set-up
• Establishing and documenting protocols
• Programming and data analysis

Expected Salary

$17.00 - $21.00 per hour based on experience and skills.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma and 3 years of relevant experience or Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least 1 year of relevant experience.
• Strong attention to detail
• Exceptional interpersonal skills in a team-work setting.
• Basic ability to operate laboratory equipment, including microscopes.

Preferred

• Experience in computer programming, including Python or Matlab.
• Working knowledge of neurobiology
• Working knowledge of the quantitative study of animal behavior
• Working knowledge of chemistry or molecular biology

Health Assessment Required

Yes