Research Technician I/II/III - Beckstead Lab

University of California; Oklahoma; On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Minimum 8% retirement contribution

Vacation and sick leave

Paid holidays

On-site café

Fitness center with trainer access

Free parking

Relocation assistance

Job summary

The Beckstead Lab in the Aging & Metabolism Research Program seeks a full-time Research Technician I/II/III to perform behavioral experiments in mice related to substance abuse and neurodegenerative diseases. Primary duties include running operant food and drug self-administration, locomotor, and cognitive assays, planning experiments, and organizing data for NIH funded projects.

Liaising with animal care personnel, ensuring compliance with safety and animal use oversight, and monitoring health

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a biological science, physics, chemistry, or related field such as psychology, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Basic understanding of laboratory procedures and ability to learn statistical procedures and neuroscience methods.
• Advanced computer skills (or willingness to learn) in data acquisition, Microsoft Office, order processing, and data backup.
• Reliability, high attention to detail, effective communication, and ability to work both independently and in a team.
• Commitment to scientific rigor and safe work environment.

Responsibilities

• Run behavioral assays in mice, including operant food and drug self-administration, locomotor, and cognitive tests.
• Plan, execute, and organize data for NIH funded projects; liaise with animal care personnel.
• Ensure compliance with safety and animal use oversight; monitor health and diet of experimental mice.
• Coordinate with vendors and the OMRF Preclinical Behavior and Surgical Suite; future growth into surgeries and neural studies.

Skills

Statistical procedures

Data acquisition

Microsoft Office

Attention to detail

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biological science or related field

Tools

Molecular biology

Immunohistochemistry

Imaging

Microscopy

Job description

Research Technician I/II/III - Beckstead Lab

Position Overview and Responsibilities

The Beckstead Lab in the Aging & Metabolism Research Program seeks a full‑time Research Technician at the I/II or III level to conduct behavioral research in mice related to substance abuse and neurodegenerative diseases.

The primary responsibility (70%) is to run behavioral assays in support of the lab’s NIH funded projects, including planning, executing, and organizing data from operant food and drug self‑administration, locomotor, and cognitive assays. The technician will act as a liaison with animal care personnel, ensure compliance with safety and animal use oversight, and monitor the health and diet of experimental mice.

Other duties (30%) include ordering supplies and reagents, communicating with vendors, and coordinating with the OMRF Preclinical Behavior and Surgical Suite.

Future growth opportunities may involve performing survival surgeries on rodents (e.g., jugular catheter implantation, virus injections, cannula placement), conducting studies with immunohistochemistry, imaging, and assisting in recording electrical activity in single neurons.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a biological science, physics, chemistry, or a related field such as psychology, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Basic understanding of laboratory procedures and an ability to learn statistical procedures, as well as methods typical to neuroscience.
• Advanced computer skills (or willingness to learn) in data acquisition, Microsoft Office, order processing, and data backup. Knowledge of molecular biology, immunohistochemistry, imaging, and microscopy is beneficial.
• Reliability, strong attention to detail, effective communication, and ability to follow through on job‑related tasks.
• High level of scientific rigor and ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Adherence to ethical behavior to maintain a safe and supportive work environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least two (2) years of relevant laboratory experience.
• Experience handling and working with rodents.

Work Hours

Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with possible variation to accommodate behavioral studies.

Benefits

Competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits for full‑time employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; a minimum 8% company retirement contribution; vacation and sick leave; and paid holidays. Additional perks include access to an on‑site café, a fitness center with personal trainer access, free parking, and relocation assistance for those residing more than 50 miles from Oklahoma City.

OMRF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.