Staff Scientist - Anesthesiology

UNKNOWN; United States; On-site; USD 48,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Wellness programs

Tuition assistance

Caregiver leave (4 weeks)

Job summary

The Norris Laboratory at WashU Medicine in St. Louis seeks a Staff Scientist to lead the design and execution of research protocols in a translational neuroscience lab.

You will work on neural circuits related to sleep, stress, metabolism, and anesthesia, contributing to psychiatric resilience research and rigorously documenting results. Responsibilities include experimental design, data analysis, manuscript preparation, and collaboration with the PI.

Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.
• Certifications/Professional Licenses: No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
• Work Experience: Laboratory Operations (3 Years)
• Skills: Not Applicable
• Driver's License: A driver's license is not required for this position.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop research protocols for behavioral neuroscience studies in rodent models.
• Conduct and supervise behavioral experiments using fiber photometry, optogenetics, and chemo genetics.
• Perform statistical and computational analysis of data, including sleep-state classification and neural activity analysis.
• Contribute to manuscript preparation and grant documentation as needed.
• Troubleshoot equipment and propose methodological improvements to enhance data quality.
• Stay current with literature in stress neuroscience and related methods.

Skills

Analytical problem solving

Behavioral neuroscience

Communication

Computer literacy

Data analysis

Data interpretations

MATLAB

Optogenetics

Paradigms

Research projects

Education

Master's degree

Ph.D.

Tools

Fiber photometry

Optogenetics

Chemo genetics

Job description

Location: SAINT LOUIS, MO 63110. Scheduled Hours: 40.

Position Summary

The Norris Laboratory at WashU Medicine in St. Louis seeks a Staff Scientist to lead design and execution of research protocols in a translational neuroscience laboratory. The Norris Lab studies neural circuits at the intersections of sleep, stress, metabolism, and anesthesia, with a current focus on understanding how the brain regulates stress coping behaviors. The successful candidate will contribute to advancing our understanding of neural mechanisms underlying coping strategies with direct implications for understanding psychiatric resilience. You will work in a professional, collaborative environment that values scientific excellence, rigorous methodology, and the professional growth of all team members. Designs research protocols. Assists in developing and conducting research projects, including experiment design, data analysis and documentation of experiment results.

Job Description

The role involves designing and developing research protocols, conducting experiments, analyzing data, preparing manuscripts, troubleshooting equipment, and performing literature reviews.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Principal Investigator, design and develop research protocols for behavioral neuroscience studies in rodent models, including experimental design, data collection procedures, and quality assurance frameworks for data management.
• Conduct and supervise behavioral experiments using advanced techniques including fiber photometry, optogenetics, and chemo genetics to measure and manipulate neural activity during stress-coping paradigms; maintain detailed, organized experimental records and databases.
• Perform sophisticated statistical and computational analysis of behavioral and electrophysiological data, including real-time sleep-state classification, behavioral quantification, and neural activity analysis; prepare clear, interpretative reports and data visualizations.
• Contribute to manuscript preparation, including data presentation, methods description, results analysis, and peer-review responses; support grant preparation and regulatory documentation as needed.
• Troubleshoot technical issues with experimental equipment and animal models; propose and implement methodological improvements in testing procedures to enhance data quality and scientific rigor.
• Conduct literature reviews to stay current with advances in stress neuroscience, behavioral pharmacology, and optogenetic/fiber photometry methods.
• Maintain high standards of professionalism, scientific integrity, and safety; contribute to a collaborative, inclusive lab culture that supports excellence.

Working Conditions

Works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. Must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.
• Certifications/Professional Licenses: No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
• Work Experience: Laboratory Operations (3 Years)
• Skills: Not Applicable
• Driver's License: A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

WashU seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to perform duties in a manner consistent with our core mission and guiding principles.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy
• Certifications/Professional Licenses: No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
• Work Experience: No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
• Skills: Analytical Problem Solving, Behavioral Neuroscience, Communication, Computer Literacy, Data Analysis, Data Interpretations, MATLAB, Optogenetics, Paradigms, Research Projects

Grade R10 Salary Range

Grade R10 Salary Range $48,000.00 - $86,900.00 / Annually. The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [e-mail] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request. All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

• Personal Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
• Wellness Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
• Family We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child.
• Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs.
• Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.
• For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

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Washington University in St. Louis' collective success is significantly attributed to the passion and outstanding efforts of our community. Our staff, faculty and trainees are committed to excellence and dedicated to carrying out our missions of research, teaching and patient care. WashU prides itself on being a place where people matter, and serious work is done. Our people work together in an inclusive community that celebrates diverse perspectives, collaboration and innovation. We are a community of individuals inspired to work together to develop big ideas and tackle challenging problems. We value the well-being of our people. WashU strives to create a positive employee experience where staff, faculty and trainees thrive, both personally and professionally. Our employees find meaning, connection and vitality in their work and life with a healthy work-life balance and support to learn, grow and make an impact at WashU, the community and the world.