Job Description

The Department of Neurological Surgery seeks a Research Associate to contribute to the planning, design, execution, and management of research projects in a foundational biological/health science laboratory investigating translational neurosurgery. The incumbent participates in developing and implementing study goals and objectives, designs and conducts complex laboratory experiments, and performs advanced molecular, cellular, or other specialized techniques. Responsibilities include collecting, analyzing, and interpreting research data; assisting in the development and refinement of methodologies, experimental designs, sampling techniques, and analytical approaches; and establishing appropriate controls, criteria, and research standards. The Research Associate critically reviews relevant scientific literature, supports the preparation of manuscripts, reports, and presentations for national and international conferences, and contributes to project documentation. The role also assists the principal investigator in preparing grant proposals to secure new or renewal extramural funding. Additional duties include coordinating laboratory activities and work assignments for postdoctoral researchers, graduate and undergraduate students, and staff; overseeing routine maintenance and testing of laboratory equipment; and performing other tasks as assigned to advance the research mission.

Minimum Education & Experience Required

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience required; 3 years of relevant experience required with associates degree, or 1 year of relevant experience required with bachelors degree. Requires successful completion of a background check; qualified candidates may be asked to complete a pre-employment physical, including a drug screen.

Function: Research and Scholarship

Subfunction: Research

Band: Individual Contributor - Specialized

Level: S1 Entry

The primary focus of this position is hands-on small-animal surgery, with particular emphasis on the mouse Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO) model of ischemic stroke. The successful candidate will be expected to learn and perform small-animal (mouse) surgery on a daily basis to produce experimental animals for ongoing research. The candidate will be central to the execution of in vivo experimental stroke studies, maintenance of the mouse breeding colony, and technical support across several ongoing research projects, including the role of novel immune-based therapeutic interventions to enhance stroke recovery.

Animal Surgery & Post-Operative Care (Primary)

• Perform mouse transient MCAO (Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion) surgeries as the primary daily responsibility
• Execute all surgical procedures with precision and consistency in accordance with approved IACUC protocols.
• Provide comprehensive post-operative monitoring and care, including neurological scoring, wound care, weight tracking, and clinical assessment of recovery.

Animal Colony Management & Breeding

• Manage and maintain the laboratory mouse breeding colony, including setting up and monitoring breeding pairs, weaning litters, and maintaining accurate colony records.
• Perform genotyping procedures as needed to identify animals for experimental cohorts.
• Supervise and mentor undergraduate researchers involved in animal colony tasks.

Small-Animal MRI Assistance

• Assist with in vivo small-animal MRI imaging sessions, including animal preparation (anesthesia, positioning, physiological monitoring) and post-imaging recovery.

Laboratory Techniques & Experimental Support

• Support ongoing laboratory experiments including, but not limited to, neurobehavioral testing, histological sectioning of brain and other tissue samples, flow cytometry tissue sample preparation, and qPCR as needed.
• Participate in all laboratory meetings and contribute to the collaborative research environment.

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