Research Technician - Behavioral Neuroscience

The School of Arts & Sciences seeks a Research Technician (Behavioral Neuroscience) to help support a NIMH funded research program focused on the study of sex differences in inflammatory-induced fetal programming and the underlying mechanisms that promote resiliency. Using rodent models, the Research Technician will help to assess behavioral performance using a variety of translational behavioral tasks including several sociability metrics, prepulse inhibition, touchscreen technology, and other indices of emotional reactivity. The technician will also help measure neuroendocrine and neurobiological correlates by using standard approaches such as ELISA, western blotting, immunochemistry, and qPCR.

Research (70%)

• Perform techniques such as protein purification, RNA isolation, western blotting, PCR, immunohistochemistry, and others.
• Conduct behavioral experiments using rodent models
• Help PI prepare routine lab safety inspections and related documents
• Help order reagents and keep lab organized
• Conducts experiments following appropriate protocols and procedures to achieve results

Training (30%)

• Assist the Principal Investigator in the supervision of undergraduate and graduate students to ensure good laboratory practice, scientific rigor, and safe engagement in meritorious research projects
• Develop and teach laboratory protocols
• Additional responsibilities may be assigned by the supervisor
• Contributes to sustaining and enhancing an inclusive working and learning environment

Required: 

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of 1 years of relevant hands-on laboratory research experience
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment

Preferred:

• Demonstrated expertise in animal handling and dosing techniques (e.g., oral gavage, i.p, s.c.) in addition to the use of fluorescence microscopy, cellular imaging/microscopy, and molecular biology techniques (RT-PCR, western blotting)

Physical Requirements: 

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs
• Must be able to crawl under desks

Apply
Please attach a cover letter and a curriculum vitae/resume. Finalist candidate(s) for this position will be subject to reference checks and a pre-employment background check as a condition of employment.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. MCPHS is unable to sponsor, or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa. MCPHS is also not an E-Verify institution.

About Us
Established in 1823, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) is the oldest institution of higher education in Boston, a city that is home to many of the world’s top universities and healthcare institutions. We are one of the largest and most highly-ranked schools for health- and life-sciences, and our alumni and faculty continually distinguish themselves in healthcare settings around the globe. MCPHS has more than 7000 students across campuses in Boston’s Longwood Medical Area, downtown Worcester, MA and downtown Manchester, NH. Our vision is to empower our Community to create a healthier, more equitable world, which we strive to achieve through our strategic priorities of collaboration, inclusion, success, sustainability, planning, and support.

We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits that include a substantial contribution toward the cost of medical, vision, and dental insurance, generous time off, retirement and pension plans, and flexible work arrangements to support work/life balance for our employees while supporting the MCPHS strategic plan.

MCPHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer that celebrates a diverse community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.