Research Assistant (Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology)

Veterans in Healthcare; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

UCLA Health's Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior in Los Angeles is hiring a full-time Research Assistant to join the Cahill Laboratory, focusing on the neurobiology of pain, addiction, and related behaviors. You will support a variety of lab and animal studies to advance brain research.

Key duties include maintaining lab spaces and inventories, assisting with rodent behavioral studies, handling animals, assisting with survival surgeries under supervision, and helping ensure EH&S

Qualifications

• Interest in neuroscience research and lab work.
• Ability to follow directions and work under supervision.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Willingness to maintain clean and compliant lab spaces.

Responsibilities

• Maintain daily lab operations and inventories.
• Assist with rodent behavioral studies and data collection.
• Support rodent handling and survival surgical procedures under supervision.
• Keep vivarium records and research supplies organized.
• Assist with EH&S inspections and lab compliance.
• Attend lab meetings and support data analysis.

Skills

Lab safety

Data collection

Animal handling

Record keeping

Safety compliance

Job description

Work Location Los Angeles,CA
Job #34039
Work Hours Monday-Friday 8am-5pm
Employment Type 2 - Staff- Career
Duration Indefinite
Salary Range $30.12-35.92 Hourly
Posted Date November 4, 2026
Bargaining Unit UPTE - RX

Find the cures you know are out there. At UCLA Health, you make it happen as part of a groundbreaking Research team, working to understand hundreds of medical disorders and improving processes for dozens of procedures across the globe.

• JOB DUTIES
• JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Responsibilities

Description The Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior is seeking to hire a full-time Research Assistant to join the Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology with the Cahill Laboratory, a research program focused on understanding the neurobiology of pain, addiction, and related behavioral processes. You will support a variety of laboratory and animal research activities, contributing to studies that advance our understanding of brain function and disease. Key responsibilities include:

• Support daily lab operations, including maintaining laboratory and behavioral research spaces
• Assist with rodent behavioral studies and data collection
• Participate in rodent handling and survival surgical procedures under supervision
• Maintain vivarium records, laboratory inventories, and research supplies
• Support laboratory compliance activities, including Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) inspections
• Attend lab meetings and assist with data analysis and research-related projects

Salary range: $30.12/hr - $35.92/hr