Research Technician – Liu Lab

Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentoring and scientific training

Access to state-of-the-art facilities

Opportunities to develop imaging and F

Collaborative environment

Job summary

HHMI’s Janelia Research Campus in Ashburn seeks a Research Technician to support lung-brain communication studies. You will perform mouse surgeries, tissue processing, imaging, and molecular assays while helping maintain records and inventory.

The role supports the lab’s transition to a new institution and requires relocation within 1–2 years. The ideal candidate has hands-on mouse experience, strong organizational skills, and a willingness to learn new techniques.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in biology, neuroscience, or related field with relevant laboratory experience.
• At least three years of hands-on experience with laboratory mice (handling and procedures).
• Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain detailed records.
• Excellent attention to detail, reliability, and ability to follow protocols.
• Willingness to relocate with the lab to a new institution.

Responsibilities

• Perform mouse surgeries for cell targeting, monitoring, and neural activity recording.
• Perform tissue dissection, fixation, and immunostaining.
• Conduct confocal and light-sheet microscopy and assist with image acquisition and analysis.
• Learn and perform multiplexed FISH to characterize gene expression.
• Maintain records of mouse colonies and organize lab inventory.
• Assist with organizing resources during lab transition to a new institution.

Skills

Mice handling

Laboratory organization

Detail-oriented

Independent & collaborative work

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in biology/neuroscience

Tools

Mouse surgeries

Histology

Immunohistochemistry

RNA in situ hybridization

Confocal microscopy

Job description

Primary Work Address: 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA, 20147 Current HHMI Employees,

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus is a pioneering research center in Ashburn, Virginia, where scientists pursue fundamental questions in the life sciences. Our integrated teams of biologists, computational scientists, and tool-builders innovate research practices and technologies to solve biology’s deepest mysteries. HHMI launched Janelia in 2006, establishing an intellectually enriching environment for scientists to do creative, collaborative, hands‑on work. We share our methods, results, and tools with the scientific community.

The Liu lab is interested in understanding the cellular and circuit mechanisms underlying communication between the respiratory and nervous systems. We combine molecular, genetic, imaging, and whole‑animal physiology approaches to investigate how internal states of the lungs are encoded by sensory neurons and downstream circuits and how these signals regulate physiology and behavior.

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated and well‑organized Research Technician to contribute to our research on lung‑brain communication and support the lab's transition to a new institution. The Research Technician will perform mouse surgeries, tissue staining and imaging, and molecular assays to investigate the anatomical and molecular properties of the pulmonary sensory circuit. In addition to experimental research, the Research Technician will help maintain laboratory records, organize research protocols and inventory, and track mouse colonies. These responsibilities will be particularly important during the lab's transition and establishment at a new institution.

The ideal candidate will have strong hands‑on experience working with mice, excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and enthusiasm for learning new experimental techniques. Prior experience with animal surgery is highly preferred, while experience in histology, microscopy, or RNA in situ hybridization would be advantageous. We are looking for someone interested in a long‑term research staff position who is willing to relocate with the lab to a new institution within the next 1–2 years.

What we provide

• One‑on‑one mentoring and scientific training with the lab head.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art research facilities and a highly collaborative research environment.
• Opportunities to develop expertise in animal surgery, advanced molecular assays, imaging, and computational analysis.
• Opportunities to interact with experts in neuroscience, cell biology, genetics, imaging, and computational biology.
• Opportunities to contribute to the establishment and development of a research laboratory at a new institution.
• Opportunities to attend scientific workshops and conferences.

What you'll do

• Perform mouse surgeries for cell population targeting, physiological monitoring, and neural activity recording.
• Perform tissue dissection, fixation, and immunostaining.
• Conduct confocal and light-sheet microscopy and assist with image acquisition, organization, and analysis.
• Learn, implement, and perform multiplexed fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to characterize gene expression in tissues.
• Optimize experimental protocols, troubleshoot technical problems, and maintain consistent experimental quality.
• Work collaboratively with other lab members on ongoing research projects.
• Maintain accurate records of mouse colonies, including breeding, genotyping, and experimental use.
• Organize and maintain laboratory inventory, including reagents, supplies, and experimental materials.
• Maintain and document laboratory protocols to ensure reproducibility and facilitate training.
• Assist with the organization, transfer, and establishment of laboratory resources and research workflows during the transition to a new institution.
• Help maintain an organized and efficient laboratory environment.

What you bring

Required qualifications

• A bachelor's or master's degree in biology, neuroscience, or a related field, with relevant laboratory research experience.
• At least three years of hands‑on experience working with laboratory mice, including animal handling and experimental procedures.
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to maintain accurate and detailed experimental records.
• Excellent attention to detail, reliability, and ability to follow established experimental protocols.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Willingness to learn new experimental techniques and adapt to evolving research needs.
• Willingness to relocate with the lab to a new institution.

Highly preferred qualifications

• Experience performing survival surgeries in mice, including anesthesia, aseptic surgical procedures, and postoperative care.
• Experience with tissue dissection, histology, immunohistochemistry, or whole‑mount staining.
• Experience with RNA in situ hybridization, particularly fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) or multiplexed RNA detection methods.
• Experience with fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, or light‑sheet microscopy.
• Experience with mouse colony management, laboratory inventory, and protocol documentation.
• Experience troubleshooting and optimizing experimental techniques.

Physical Requirements

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hands or arms; dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about the workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds. Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Please Note

This job description sets forth the job's principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement. Unless they begin with the word "may," the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are "essential functions" of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

#LI-BR1 Hiring Pay Range

Research Technician II: $45,440.00 - $56,800.00

Research Technician III: $53,840.00 - $67,300.00

Pay Type: Salary

The posted range reflects HHMI’s good faith estimate of the anticipated hiring salary range for this role at the time of posting. Actual hiring compensation is determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Compensation and Benefits

Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more.

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