Research Associate 1 - Neurobiology of Metabolic Dysfunction

Pennington Biomedical Research Center; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Pennington Biomedical Research Center seeks a Research Associate to advance neurobiology research on metabolic dysfunction. The role focuses on glucose regulation and physiology using rat models, with responsibilities spanning surgical procedures, clamp experiments, sample processing, and data analysis.

The successful candidate will contribute to ongoing studies, prepare reports and manuscripts, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team in an in-person, state-supported facility in Baton

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
• One year of experience working with rats in a research setting.
• One year of experience performing enzymatic assays and/or ELISAs.
• Strong understanding of experimental design and data interpretation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for documenting experiments and collaborating with team members.
• Ability to prepare reports, manuscripts, and presentations based on research findings.
• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail for maintaining accurate records.

Responsibilities

• Assist with and perform surgical procedures in rats, including vascular catheter implantation.
• Conduct hyperinsulinemic-hypoglycemic clamp experiments in rodent models.
• Provide postoperative care and maintain indwelling vascular catheters.
• Perform serial blood sampling and administer experimental treatments in rodents.
• Collect, process, and prepare biological samples for analysis.
• Perform enzymatic assays and ELISAs.
• Organize and analyze physiological and biochemical data and contribute to reports and scientific publications.
• Assist in the design and execution of research projects.
• Maintain accurate records of experiments, protocols, and results.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and follow established safety and animal research protocols.
• Participate in laboratory meetings and collaborate with other research team members.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Rats handling

Written & verbal communication

Experimental design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology/Biochemistry/Molecular Biology or related field

Tools

Enzymatic assays

ELISAs

Hyperinsulinemic-hypoglycemic clamp

Job description

Research Associate 1 - Neurobiology of Metabolic Dysfunction

At the forefront of medical discovery as it relates to understanding the causes of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia, Pennington Biomedical Research Center is a campus of Louisiana State University and conducts basic, clinical and population research. The Center includes Basic Science, Clinical Research, and Population and Public Health, enabling both focused research and translational science. Research at Pennington Biomedical is supported broadly by multiple NIH Research Centers , and includes approximately 65 faculty and 20 postdoctoral fellows who comprise a network of 44 laboratories and 13 highly specialized core service facilities. Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the-art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

About Us:

At the forefront of medical discovery as it relates to understanding the causes of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia, Pennington Biomedical Research Center is a campus of Louisiana State University and conducts basic, clinical and population research. The Center includes Basic Science, Clinical Research, and Population and Public Health, enabling both focused research and translational science. Research at Pennington Biomedical is supported broadly by multiple NIH Research Centers , and includes approximately 65 faculty and 20 postdoctoral fellows who comprise a network of 44 laboratories and 13 highly specialized core service facilities. Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the‑art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Position Type:

Other Academic

Department:

LSUPBRC Basic - Neurobiology of Metabolic Dysfunction (David H McDougal (00002943))

Work Location:

LSU - Pennington Biomedical

Pay Grade:

Other Academic

Job Description:

Pennington Biomedical Research Center , a world-renowned academic research institute of Louisiana State University, is seeking a Research Associate in Neurobiology of Metabolic Dysfunction.

The Research Associate will support research on glucose regulation and metabolic physiology using rat models. Responsibilities include assisting with and performing surgical procedures and conducting hyperinsulinemic-hypoglycemic clamp experiments. Additional responsibilities include collecting and processing biological samples, performing enzymatic assays and ELISAs, and organizing and analyzing experimental data.

Job Responsibilities

• Assist with and perform surgical procedures in rats, including vascular catheter implantation.
• Conduct hyperinsulinemic-hypoglycemic clamp experiments in rodent models.
• Provide postoperative care and maintain indwelling vascular catheters.
• Perform serial blood sampling and administer experimental treatments in rodents.
• Collect, process, and prepare biological samples for analysis.
• Perform enzymatic assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs).
• Organize and analyze physiological and biochemical data and contribute to reports and scientific publications.
• Assist in the design and execution of research projects.
• Maintain accurate records of experiments, protocols, and results.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and follow established safety and animal research protocols.
• Participate in laboratory meetings and collaborate with other research team members.

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
• One year of experience working with rats in a research setting.
• One year of experience performing enzymatic assays and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs).
• Strong understanding of experimental design and data interpretation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for documenting experiments and collaborating with team members.
• Ability to prepare reports, manuscripts, and presentations based on research findings.
• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail for maintaining accurate records and ensuring quality control.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3 - 5 years of experience working with rats in a research setting.
• Experience in surgical procedures in rats, particularly vascular catheter implantation.
• Experience conducting hyperinsulinemic-hypoglycemic clamps in rodent models.
• Experience providing postoperative care and maintaining indwelling vascular catheters.
• Experience with serial blood sampling and administration of experimental treatments in rodents.
• Experience organizing and analyzing physiological and biochemical data.

Pennington Biomedical Research Center seeks to recruit a highly productive workforce with a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non‑merit factor.

Additional Job Description:

This position is not eligible for sponsorship or remote work. This is full-time, in person position with state benefits and retirement.

Competencies:

None

Posting Date:

October 29, 2026

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

November 12, 2026

Additional Position Information:

Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the‑art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana . For more information, visit PBRC .

Questions regarding career opportunities at Pennington Biomedical should be sent to [e-mail] .

Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Benefits - Pennington Biomedical Research Center offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!

Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

Pennington Biomedical Research Center/LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Contact Information:

Questions or concerns can be directed to PBRC Human Resources at 225-763-2776 or [e-mail] .