Virginia Mountain View

Laboratory Technician, School of Medicine / Neurosurgery

  • req2693
  • Richmond, Virginia, United States, 23284
  • Neurosurgery / 1605
  • Virginia Commonwealth University
Summary

School of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery is looking for a technician to conduct studies in rodents in the field of traumatic brain injury and intracranial electrophysiology. Experimental techniques include conducting fluid percussion injuries, surgical implantation of intracranial electrodes, rodent behavioral analysis, brain sectioning, immunohistochemistry and possibly neural data analysis using advanced software. Responsibilities will include maintaining a rodent colony, performing surgical procedures, brain sectioning, histology, organizing and maintaining data, as well as general laboratory management tasks. The laboratory is located at the McGuire VA Medical Center where the bulk of the work will be done, but there are close collaborations with the VCU Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology and some of the work will be done there. Opportunities for scientific publication and presentation for the motivated individual.

Typical Duties

(35%) Data Collection and Analysis

o learn and perform experimental techniques including rodent behavioral analysis, acquisition of electrophysiological recordings, brain blocking and sectioning and immunohistochemistry;

o organize and maintain thorough experimental logs;

o analyze neural data with specialized computer software as able.

(35%): Animal Care

o maintain a rodent colony in conjunction with animal care facility, including pre-operative and post-operative checks, as well as maintain necessary logs;

o learn and perform/assist with rodent surgeries and procedures, including fluid percussion injuries and brain extractions;

o maintain logs of rodent physiological parameters and health during procedures (i.e. temperature, behavior, respirations).

(20%): Communication

o report directly to the Principal Investigator.

o 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 laboratory meetings, to be held weekly, and to briefly summarize items discussed and tasks to be completed at these meetings in a written report.

o Technician will be expected to communicate with collaborating investigators/labs both at the VA and VCU.

o Technician may also have the 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.

(10%): Laboratory Management

o In conjunction with the Principal Investigator, the technician will maintain necessary laboratory safety, animal and hazardous material certifications and documentation as needed and required by the research and animal care facilities;

o order and maintain necessary supplies and equipment.

o Technician will also keep a current inventory of laboratory equipment and supplies, updated at least quarterly, or as required by research facility.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent work experience.

• Work experience in a research laboratory (outside of college coursework).

• Experience and strong interest in the experimental neurosciences.

• Willingness and ability to learn new techniques in animal surgery, rodent behavior, histology, electrophysiology, etc. and apply them.

• Ability to conduct multiple experiments simultaneously.

• Strong organizational skills.

• Ability to function semi-autonomously with supervision.

• Knowledge of scientific and technical principles, practices, and regulatory requirements.

• Ability to communicate effectively and interact with co-workers in the laboratory, department and university.

• Willingness and ability to travel between VA Medical Center and VCU as needed.

• Must successfully complete appropriate training and certification in research animal use and care (rodents) from VCU as well as the VA Medical Center upon hire.

• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefer bachelor’s degree in life science program (biology, neuroscience, biochemistry, etc.), or technical program such as biomedical engineering, computer science, etc.

• Experience with laboratory rodent handling is preferred.

• Experience with MATLAB, or other computer programming environment is an advantage, but not mandatory.

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. All full-time university staff are eligible for our generous benefits package that includes choices for health, vision, and dental coverage, life-insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, retirement planning, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, flexible spending accounts, tuition benefits, significant paid-time off, 12 paid holidays, and more. Explore our benefits further here: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/university-and-academic-professional-benefits/

This position is open until filled,

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

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.

The School of Medicine continuously strives for our workplace and learning environment to reflect the demographic and social milieu of the communities we serve. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

UNIVERISTY JOB CODE: Lab/Research Technician 1-3

 

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer

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