Lab and Research Technician - Neuroscience and Anatomy

Advertising Summary: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’s sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.

Unit: School Of Medicine MBU

Department: Neuroscience & Anatomy

Department Summary: In the Department of Neuroscience & Anatomy, research is one of our core tenets. With traditions anchored in the anatomical disciplines, our identity has evolved to reside in modern neuroscience, where our dedicated faculty and students engage in state-of-the-art research and scholarly activity with clinical translation potential in conditions ranging from anxiety to epilepsy to Alzheimer’s.

With labs and grant-funded projects led by our full-time department faculty and affiliate faculty in other academic units across VCU, we’re proud to contribute to the field by conducting innovative research the following focus areas: Central Nervous System Circuit Function, Central Nervous System Injury and Repair, Educational scholarship and Practice, Glial Cell Biology, and Molecular Mechanisms of Neuropsychiatric Disorders.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Krishnan Lab in the Department of Neuroscience and Anatomy at Virginia Commonwealth University is seeking a highly motivated and capable Research Technician to join our growing team. We are a new neuroscience lab using cutting-edge approaches to investigate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying memory and substance use disorders.

The Research Technician will support experimental work within the substance use disorder research focus of the lab. Responsibilities include assisting with the establishment of lab infrastructure, managing day-to-day operations, maintaining and ordering supplies and equipment, and supporting behavioral experiments related to substance use disorder research. The technician will work closely with the Principal Investigator, Dr. Seetha Krishnan, and play an active role in implementing and refining behavioral paradigms, as well as providing essential technical and organizational support to advance the lab’s research mission.

This position offers an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on research experience in a collaborative and intellectually engaging environment. A minimum one-year commitment is required, with a preference for a two-year term. The position is particularly well-suited for those considering graduate or professional training in neuroscience, psychology, or a related field.

Core Responsibilities: 

1. Experimental work (70%):
   • The technician will help with the development and advancement of mouse behavioral assays in the lab, particularly using drugs of abuse and pharmacological agents. They will also assist with preparing tissue samples and performing histological procedures, such as sectioning and immunohistochemistry. They will assist with surgical procedures, including preparation, setup, and post-operative monitoring.
2. General laboratory maintenance (30%):
   • • The lab technician will be responsible for overall laboratory maintenance, including ordering supplies, communicating with vendors, managing inventory, and ensuring the lab remains clean, organized, and well-stocked. They will also assist with compliance related to biosafety, chemical safety, and animal care protocols. Responsibilities also include performing routine animal health checks and supporting the management of the mouse colony.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, biology, psychology, or a related discipline.
• Prior research experience in a laboratory setting, including experience with purchasing equipment and reagents, laboratory maintenance, and supervising laboratory personnel, is highly desirable.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to work with rodents in a research environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with rodent behavioral testing, stereotaxic surgery, or substance use disorder research
• Familiarity with molecular biology, pharmacology, or histological techniques.
• Basic experience with data analysis software (e.g., R, Prism, MATLAB, Python, ImageJ).
• Intention to pursue graduate or professional studies in neuroscience, psychology, or a related field.

Salary Range:$40k-$45K

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

This is a restricted position with no set end date; continued employment is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

University Job Title: 34051-3 - Lab/Research Technician 1-3

Contact Information:

Contact Email: SOMHR@vcuhealth.org