Lab Technician | School of Medicine/Neurosurgery

Summary:

Dr. Paul Koch’s lab in the Department of Neurosurgery is seeking a laboratory technician to assist him and MD/PhD graduate students with studies in rodents in the fields of traumatic brain injury and epilepsy. These studies complement Dr. Koch’s clinical work and research efforts in human epilepsy. Duties include brain sectioning, immunohistochemistry, caring for rodents, assisting with cranial surgeries and conducting and analyzing rodent behavior. Some laboratory management tasks will also be required, such as documentation and supply ordering. There is also the opportunity for learning electrophysiological techniques and neural data analysis. Time will be split between laboratory space at Virginia Commonwealth University and the Richmond VA Medical Center. Opportunities are available for scientific publication and presentation for the motivated individual.

Typical Duties

• (35%) Animal Care
  • Maintain rodent colony in conjunction with the animal care facility and approved protocols, including pre- and post-operative monitoring and appropriate documentation and communication;
  • Learn to assist in rodent surgeries and procedures;
• (35%) Data Collection and Analysis
  • Perform brain dissection and sectioning, histology, immunohistochemistry, and light microscopy; training available;
  • Learn and perform rodent behavioral testing;
  • Organize and maintain thorough experimental logs;
• (10%) Laboratory Management
  • In conjunction with the Principal Investigator and graduate students, maintain necessary laboratory safety, animal and hazardous material certifications and documentation as needed and required by the research and animal care facilities;
  • Order and maintain necessary supplies and equipment;
  • Keep current inventory of laboratory equipment and supplies, updated at least quarterly, or as required by research facility;
• (20%) Communication
  • Report directly to the Principal Investigator, Dr. Koch;
  • Although most communication will be in the form of ad hoc/informal meetings/discussions, technician will be expected to provide oral reports on the status of individual projects, animal care, or other laboratory issues at formal lab meetings and to briefly summarize items discussed and tasks to be completed at these meetings in a written report;
  • Collaborate with and assist in the work of students and post-docs in the lab;
    help in training new lab members;
  • Communicate with collaborating investigators/labs both at VCU and the VA;
  • May also have opportunity to contribute to the summary and interpretation of experimental findings in the form of written, or oral abstracts at local, or national scientific meetings, or manuscripts for publication;