The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Neurobiology, is seeking an experienced and dedicated Researcher Lead to join their team.

General Responsibilities

As a Researcher Lead, this emerging leader role will require you to spearhead major research projects and lead a team of researchers towards achieving significant scientific goals. Your responsibilities will include strategic planning, project management, and ensuring the alignment of research activities with organizational objectives. You will play a critical role in mentoring junior researchers, fostering a collaborative research environment, and representing the research team at national and international forums. Depending on the research focus, this position may involve research collaborator contact, research animal contact, and/or specimens.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

1. Sets up and performs routine and established lab procedures in support of lab goals.

2. Runs behavioral pharmacology experiments in rats/mice, including operant conditioning, pain assessments, and locomotion assays.

3. Performs surgical procedures in rodents.

4. Maintains transgenic rodent colonies.

5. Collects biological samples from rodents.

6. Performs histology and microscopic imaging on rodent brain tissue.

7. Collects, enter, analyze, and graph data according to established lab protocols.

8. Monitors results; detects and reports unusual outcomes; performs statistical data analysis.

9. Orders lab supplies and maintains inventory; maintains lab equipment, general cleanliness and organization; performs other duties as assigned.

10. Reconciles lab expenditures; interfaces with UAB Purchasing and Procurement to satisfy requirements for equipment and supply expenditures; maintains records for quotes, invoices, and receipts; reviews UAB and external invoices for accuracy.

11. Works with BSL2 viruses for stereotaxic delivery to rodent brain according to established SOPs.

12. Performs experiments under RNAse-free conditions for the isolation of nuclei from rodent brain tissue and implements 10X Genomics procedures for subsequent single nucleus RNA sequencing through the UAB Genomics core.

13. Performs RNAscope procedures on rodent brain tissue.

14. Performs confocal microscopy and spine morphology and quantification using specialized Imaris software.

15. Implements existing Python and Matlab code for the analysis of complex data sets and develops new code as needed for study goals.

16. Performs other duties as assigned.

Salary Range $52,555 - $60,000

Qualifications

Master's degree in a related field and one (1) years of related experience OR Bachelor's degree in related field and three (3) years of related experience OR Associate's degree in related field and five (5) years of related experience required. Work experience may NOT substitute for education requirement.

Preferences

• Prior experience conducting behavioral experiments in rodents, advanced microscopy, and/or coding experience are preferred.

• Prior experience with transgenic rodent colony management, management of other personnel, and/or experience with specialized software (Imaris, Neurolucida) is desired.

• Rodent surgery

• RNAscope and snRNA-seq

• Confocal microscopy

Key Skills

• Communication

• Ability to work as a team member and independently

• Maintain organized and detailed lab records

Please attach a curriculum vitae or resume.

Please attach a cover letter describing how your background and interests fit the position.

Please provide a list of three professional references.