Research Assistant II

University of Louisville; Louisville, Northern (KY, KY); Hybrid; USD 24,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Louisville is seeking a Research Assistant II for the Pediatric Research Institute within the Health Sciences Center. The role involves conducting animal experiments, cell culture work, biochemical assays, and imaging with microscopes in rodent models and behavioral tests.

The candidate will support projects funded by state and NIH grants, participate in training, and work collaboratively with a PI and lab staff to advance CNS research initiatives.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in a related field (minimum).
• Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, oncology, or immunology preferred.
• Experience in neurobehavioral tests and rodent models beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Conduct experiments with detailed data recordings and measurements.
• Manage mouse colonies, genotyping, and drug administration.
• Attend required training and comply with regulations and lab policies.

Skills

Scientific research

Neuroscience knowledge

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Associate’s degree in a related field

Bachelor's degree in neuroscience related field

Tools

Rodent handling techniques

qPCR

IHC/IF

Western blot

DNA/RNA extraction

Confocal microscope

Job description

## Research Assistant IIApply: Health Sciences Center: Full time: Posted 6 Days Ago: End Date: September 29, 2026 (7 days left to apply): R109020**Department:****Location:**Health Sciences Center**Time Type:**Full time**Worker Type:**Regular**Job Req ID:**R109020**Minimum Requirements:**Associate’s degree in a related field and one (1) or more years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Grade 2 (Hourly)**Position Description:**The Research Assistant II with the Pediatric Research Institute at the University of Louisville under the supervision of the Principal Investigator and other lab personnel will contribute an effort to projects supported by Kentucky Pediatric Cancer Research Trust Funds, NeuroCure Foundation, and NIH. This position is expected to perform laboratory animal experiments, cell culture experiments, biochemical assays, image capture using microscope, and other related lab duties as assigned. Research projects and experiments will be conducted through rodent surgery and/or behavioral tests.**Essential Duties and Responsibilities*** Conducting the experiments designed for the project with detailed document recordings and data collection.* Mice management and development of mouse models, maintaining and recording transgenic mice, breeding, genotyping, drug administration.* Attendance of all training activities required by UofL, PRI, and lab, and comply with all regulations and policies**Preferred Qualifications*** Bachelors Degree in neuroscience, oncology, or immunology.* The ability to work on project implementation relatively independently and in collaboration with a team.* At least one year of applied research experience in the fields of neuroscience, oncology, or immunology.* At least one year of experience conducting neurobehavioral tests.* Experience in developing rodent models of CNS diseases.* Experience in primary cell culture, DNA/RNA extraction, qPCR, IHC/IF, and Western blot.* Experience in rodent handling (maintaining, breeding, genotyping, and drug administration) region-specific brain tissue collection, gene expression assays (RNA and protein extraction, qPCR, IHC, IF, WB), neurobehavioral tests (3-chamber, OF, EPM, Y maze, ORT, OLT, etc.), and/or use of fluorescence microscope and confocal microscope. Surgery experience is plus.**Competencies****Work Ethic** - motivated, diligent, industrious and persistent in the workplace, stays on tasks to completion, works at a fast pace to ensure optimal efficiency.**Self-Motivated -** Capable of technical implementation, critical thinking, problem solving, and self-directed learning in research.**Administration -** Work in an organized way and collaboratively - manages time effectively, keeps tasks appropriately prioritized, ability to work with others, serve others, help others, move the project forward to the desired outcome.**Interpersona**l – can build effective, strong working relationships with lab personnel and colleagues through trust, communication, and credibility.**Target Compensation Maximum:**$26.03**Target Compensation Minimum:**$17.35**Compensation will be commensurate to candidate experience.****Equal Employment Opportunity**The University of Louisville is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The University strives to provide equal employment opportunity on the basis of merit and without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status, or pregnancy. In accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veteran Readjustment Act of 1974, the University prohibits job discrimination of individuals with disabilities, Vietnam era veterans, qualified special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans. The University acknowledges its obligations to ensure affirmative steps are taken to ensure equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. It is the policy of the University that no employee or applicant for employment be subject to unlawful discrimination in terms of recruitment, hiring, promotion, contract, contract renewal, tenure, compensation, benefits, and/or working conditions. No employee or applicant for employment is required to endorse or condemn a specific ideology, political viewpoint, or social viewpoint to be eligible for hiring, contract renewal, tenure, or promotion.Consistent with applicable law, demographic information is collected for aggregate reporting requirements. Demographic information provided through this application is not available to hiring managers/committees and is not considered in hiring or employment decisions.**Assistance and Accommodations**Computers are available for application submission at the Human Resources Department located at 2315 South First Street Walk, Room 02C - Louisville, Kentucky 40292.If you require assistance or accommodation with our online application process, please contact us by email at [e-mail] or by phone [phone].