Research Associate 1 - Neurobiology of Metabolic Dysfunction

Pennington Biomedical Research Center; United States; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement options

Tuition exemption for qualified posi­t

Job summary

Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a campus of Louisiana State University, seeks a Research Associate in Neurobiology of Metabolic Dysfunction to support glucose regulation projects in rat models. Responsibilities include surgical procedures, clamps, data collection, and tissue analyses.

The role emphasizes independent experimentation, meticulous record-keeping, and collaboration within a multidisciplinary team. This full‑time, in‑person position offers state benefits and retirement options.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology or a related field is required.
• At least 1 year of experience working with rats in a research setting.
• At least 1 year of experience performing enzymatic assays and/or ELISAs.
• Strong understanding of experimental design and data interpretation.

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.

Skills

Enzymatic assays

ELISAs

Experimental design

Data interpretation

Communication

Report writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related field

Tools

ELISA techniques

Job description

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 Information

Job Posting Title: Research Associate 1 - Neurobiology of Metabolic Dysfunction 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.

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.

Employment Information

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.

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

Competencies: None

Background Check

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

Benefits

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 Louisiana

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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

Contact Information

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

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

Posting Date: October 29, 2026

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified): November 12, 2026

Institutional Information

LSU includes institutions, facilities and programs in each of Louisiana’s 64 parishes, and its campuses stretch the length of the state from New Orleans to Shreveport. Each institution plays a vital role in preparing students to incorporate new knowledge and technologies into their daily lives. LSU researchers across Louisiana are working on developing a wide‑range of innovations to improve quality of life by studying issues such as disease management, advance medical treatments, obesity, coastal protection, hurricane preparedness, energy, natural resource management and agriculture, among others. Louisiana’s Flagship University is a land‑, sea‑ and space‑grant institution with academic programs in all areas of science, engineering, humanities, arts and social sciences. The University comprises of nine institutions: Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College (“LSU”), the premier flagship university for the state, which include the Paul M. Hebert Law Center and the School of Veterinary Medicine Louisiana State University at Alexandria Louisiana State University at Eunice Louisiana State University at Shreveport LSU Health Sciences Center – New Orleans LSU Health Science Center – Shreveport The Health Care Services Division Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Pennington Biomedical Research Center Any other college, university, school, institution, or program now or hereafter under the supervision and management of the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College In implementing its mission, LSU is committed to: Offering a broad array of undergraduate degree programs and extensive graduate research opportunities designed to attract and educate highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students; Employing faculty who are excellent teacher‑scholars, nationally competitive in research and creative activities, and who contribute to a world‑class knowledge base that is transferable to educational, professional, cultural, and economic enterprises; and Using its extensive resources to solve economic, environmental, and social challenges.