Research Assistant (Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics)

University of California - Los Angeles Health; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

The Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA is seeking a full-time Research Assistant to join the Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics Lab in Los Angeles. The role involves hands-on neuroscience, molecular biology, and cell biology techniques, including culture of mammalian cells, immunostaining, and imaging.

You will help manage mouse colonies, collect tissue samples, participate in viral vector studies, and contribute to experimental design, data analysis, and manuscript

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Molecular Genetics, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of research experience in neuroscience, molecular genetics, molecular biology or related field.
• Demonstrated proficiency with molecular, cellular, pathological, and animal research techniques.
• Experience working with mouse models, including colony management, genotyping, histopathology, imaging, and data analysis.
• Experience culturing cell lines and/or primary cells and performing molecular analyses.
• Experience with molecular cloning, DNA, RNA, and protein extraction techniques.
• Experience utilizing viral vectors in cell-based or animal studies.
• Ability to contribute to experimental design, data collection, and data analysis activities.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to specific manuscripts, reports, or other research-related materials.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced neuroscience, molecular biology, and cellular biology research techniques.
• Culture mammalian cell lines, immunostaining, confocal microscopy, and light sheet imaging of mouse brain tissue and human organoids.
• Manage mouse colonies, including breeding, genotyping, health monitoring, and experimental recordkeeping.
• Collect and process tissue and biological samples for DNA, RNA, and protein analyses.
• Support viral vector studies, including AAV and lentiviral applications in cell and animal models.
• Assist with experimental design, data analysis, manuscript preparation, and research reports.

Skills

Neuroscience techniques

Molecular biology

Cell culture

Immunostaining

Microscopy

Mouse handling

Genotyping

Data analysis

Viral vectors

Scientific writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Molecular Genetics, or related field

Tools

Confocal microscopy

Light sheet imaging

AAV vectors

Lentiviral vectors

Job description

Description

The Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior is seeking to hire a full-time Research Assistant to join the Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics Lab. The laboratory studies the biological mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders, including Huntington's disease and Alzheimer's disease, using innovative approaches in mouse genetics, molecular biology, systems neuroscience, and advanced imaging technologies. You will contribute to groundbreaking neuroscience by applying advanced laboratory techniques to investigate disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies.

Key responsibilities include:

• Perform advanced neuroscience, molecular biology, and cellular biology research techniques
• Culture mammalian cell lines, immunostaining, confocal microscopy, and light sheet imaging of mouse brain tissue and human organoids
• Manage mouse colonies, including breeding, genotyping, health monitoring, and experimental recordkeeping
• Collect and process tissue and biological samples for DNA, RNA, and protein analyses
• Support viral vector studies, including AAV and lentiviral applications in cell and animal models
• Assist with experimental design, data analysis, manuscript preparation, and research reports

Salary range: $32.79/hr - $52.75/hr

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Molecular Genetics, or related field
• Minimum 3 years of research experience in neuroscience, molecular genetics, molecular biology or related field
• Demonstrated proficiency with molecular, cellular, pathological, and animal research techniques
• Experience working with mouse models, including colony management, genotyping, histopathology, imaging, and data analysis
• Experience culturing cell lines and/or primary cells and performing molecular analyses
• Experience with molecular cloning, DNA, RNA, and protein extraction techniques
• Experience utilizing viral vectors in cell-based or animal studies
• Ability to contribute to experimental design, data collection, and data analysis activities
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to specific manuscripts, reports, or other research-related materials

Preferred:

• Experience contributing to scientific publications or scholarly research products in neuroscience, molecular genetics, molecular biology, or related field