Research Technician - Neuroscience and Anatomy, School of Medicine

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.

About the Lab:

The Crowther Laboratory conducts cutting-edge neuroscience research. Our team is collaborative, rigorous, and committed to training and mentoring at all levels. We are seeking a motivated Research Technician to join our growing team and contribute to ongoing research projects under the joint mentorship of Dr. Andrew Crowther (PI) and Dr. Victoria Brings.

Position Overview:

The Research Technician will support behavioral pharmacology experiments, animal procedures, and wet-lab protocols. This role works under general PI supervision with increasing independence over time, resolving most standard issues independently and referring complex questions to the PI as needed.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Conduct and assist with animal work, including surgery, drug administration, behavioral testing, and tissue collection (mouse models)
• Perform tissue processing, immunostaining, and quantification
• Conduct and analyze behavioral pharmacology experiments under PI supervision
• Maintain detailed and accurate laboratory records and experimental logs
• Manage laboratory supplies, reagent inventories, and equipment maintenance schedules
• Assist other staff and students with wet-lab protocols and data organization; provide training and support for lab procedures as needed
• Assist with preparation of manuscripts, reports, and grant-related documents
• Participate in lab meetings and journal clubs
• Comply with all institutional animal care and safety protocols

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience, Biology, Pharmacology, Psychology, or a related field
• Prior experience in a research laboratory setting (undergraduate research counts)
• Experience with experimental animal models and/or cell cultures
• Demonstrated ability to learn new techniques quickly and work independently
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to reproducible science
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of safe laboratory practices and commitment to lab safety
• 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 hourly employee at VCU

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with rodent handling and behavioral testing (e.g., open field, rotarod, von Frey)

• Familiarity with pharmacological injection techniques (IP, SC, IT)

• Experience with data analysis software (GraphPad Prism, MATLAB, R, or Python)

• Analytical and problem-solving skills with experience troubleshooting experimental protocols

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit the following materials as a single PDF:

• Cover letter that concisely describes your research interests and relevant experience (1 or 2 paragraphs)
• Current CV or resume
• Names and contact information for two to three professional references

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Anticipated start date is May–September 2026. Early submission is strongly encouraged.

Salary Range: $18-22/hr

Benefits: All VCU employee types are eligible for a wide array of benefits to support you during your employment at VCU. Consult the benefits website for information on benefits eligibility according to employee type.

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hours per Week: up to 29

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

University Job Title: Lab/Research Technician 1 (hourly)

Contact Information:

Contact Email: SOMHR@vcuhealth.org