Research Assistant (Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology)

UCLA Health; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

UCLA Health’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior seeks a full-time Research Assistant to join the Cahill Laboratory in the Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology. You will support a range of laboratory and animal studies exploring pain, addiction, and brain function.

Responsibilities include daily lab operations, rodent handling, data collection and analysis, maintaining records and inventories, and assisting with EH&S inspections and meetings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience, Psychology, Biology or related field.
• Experience with rodent handling and behavioral research.
• Ability to follow research protocols and maintain records.

Responsibilities

• Support daily lab operations and maintain spaces.
• Assist with rodent behavioral studies and data collection.
• Perform rodent handling and survival procedures under supervision.
• Maintain vivarium records, inventories, and supplies.
• Assist EH&S inspections and compliance activities.
• Attend lab meetings and aid data analysis projects.

Skills

Rodent handling

Lab operations

Data analysis

Documentation

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience, Psychology, Biology or related field

Tools

AnyPaze

GraphPad Prism

Job description

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Work Schedule

Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

Posted Date

11/04/2026

Salary Range: $30.12 - 35.92 Hourly

Employment Type

Duration

Indefinite

Job #

34039

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

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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

Job Qualifications

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Ability to work effectively in a laboratory and team-based research environment Comfort working with mice Strong organizational skills and attention to detail Ability to follow research protocols and maintain accurate records Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Work and Excel Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience, Psychology, Biology or related scientific field DLAM mouse training and/or rodent handling coursework Experience working in a research lab setting Experience with rodent handling and behavioral research Experience assisting with survival surges or animal research procedures Knowledge of behavioral tracking and data analysis software, including AnyPaze and GraphPad Prism Familiarity with pain assessment models, addiction research, or behavioral neuroscience techniques

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer. Current/former UC employees are subject to a personnel file review.