Research Assistant II — Auditory Neuroscience

JAX; Bar Harbor (ME); Hybrid; USD 43,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, ME is seeking a Research Assistant II to perform fine microdissection, short-term culture of adult mouse cochlear tissue, and conduct survival surgeries, ABR testing, and fluorescence microscopy to monitor hair cells.

Join a small lab team in a grant-funded project focused on protecting hearing; the role includes data recording, analysis, and contributing to ongoing projects with opportunity for extension based on funding and performance.

Qualifications

• Prior hands-on bench/lab experience, ideally with animal tissue or small-animal work.
• Good dissection skills and comfort with fine, precise manual tasks.
• Background in life sciences (BS/BA) and prior auditory or sensory biology experience is a plus but not required.
• Dependable and organized, with the ability to take initiative and work with minimal oversight.
• A team player who communicates well in a small lab setting.

Responsibilities

• Perform fine microdissection and short-term culture of adult mouse cochlear tissue.
• Conduct survival surgeries (inner ear injections, systemic drug delivery).
• Run auditory function tests (ABR), including on animals following noise exposure.
• Use fluorescence microscopy to evaluate hair cell and stereocilia condition.
• Keep organized records and assist with data analysis.
• Support general lab operations and other ongoing projects as time allows.

Skills

Bench/lab experience

Dissection skills

Data analysis

Record-keeping

Team player

Education

BS/BA in life sciences

Tools

Fluorescence microscopy

Job description

**Research Assistant II — Auditory Neuroscience**The Jackson Laboratory | Bar Harbor, ME | Tarchini Lab**About the Lab and Role**The Tarchini Lab studies how sensory hair cells in the inner ear detect sound and head movement, focusing on how these cells build and maintain their stereociliary bundle, the specialized brush of hair-like protrusions that acts as a motion sensor. This project extends that work in a new, translational direction, testing whether a specific class of compounds can protect hair cells and stereocilia from noise-damage, and ultimately help protect hearing. We are hiring a Research Assistant II to carry out the day-to-day lab work.**What You Will Do**Perform fine microdissection and short-term culture of adult mouse cochlear tissueConduct survival surgeries (inner ear injections, systemic drug delivery)Run auditory function tests (ABR), including on animals following noise exposureUse fluorescence microscopy to evaluate hair cell and stereocilia conditionKeep organized records and assist with data analysisSupport general lab operations and other ongoing projects as time allows**What We Are Looking For**Prior hands-on bench/lab experience, ideally with animal tissue or small-animal workGood dissection skills and comfort with fine, precise manual tasksBackground in life sciences (BS/BA) and prior auditory or sensory biology experience is a plus but not requiredDependable and organized, with the ability to take initiative and work with minimal oversightA team player who communicates well in a small lab setting**Position Details**This position is grant-funded for 1.5–2 years to support a specific pilot project, with the possibility of extension beyond that period depending on future funding and performance during the initial term. Pay Range: $42,751 - $71,575 per year, depending upon experience.