Description

Job Description

The University of Maryland School of Medicine has an exciting opportunity for a Laboratory Research Assistant or Specialist to join Dr. Summer Thompson's team in the Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine.

We are a new integrative behavioral neuroscience lab investigating the role of the environment and multiple body systems in individual differences in reward-related behaviors that are altered in psychiatric disorders, from fundamental learning and motivational processes up to complex decision making. We believe that this holistic perspective with an emphasis on precision behavior may provide novel treatment and prevention strategies for psychiatric disorders that could be tailored to individual bodies. We seek researchers who are excited about studying individual differences in behavior, reward, reinforcement learning, alcohol, the gut-brain axis, and/or neuroimmune signaling using integrative approaches who will contribute to a collaborative work climate.

The Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine brings together leading addiction experts to collaborate and create the synergy necessary for systemic change. University of Maryland School of Medicine faculty scientists serve as an integral part of the Institute. They include neuroscientists studying the brain mechanisms underlying addictions and physician educators working to train a new generation of medical students and residents. They also include clinicians providing a continuum of addiction care with evidence-based harm reduction measures that minimize the negative consequences of drug use on a patient's overall health.

Benefits Information
UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development, along with additional exciting perks that employees can take advantage of. This position participates in a retirement program (pension or optional retirement plan/ORP) that must be selected and is effective on your date of hire. Exempt regular staff receive a generous PAID leave package that includes over 4 weeks of vacation accrued each year, 16 paid holidays, 3 personal leave, unlimited accrual of sick time, and comprehensive health insurance; professional learning and development programs; tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any University System of Maryland school; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job).

UMB is a public university and constituent institution of the University System of Maryland. All employees are expected to work primarily physically within the State of Maryland.

Primary Duties - Laboratory Research Assistant:

• Perform routine laboratory maintenance and research activities such as, but not exclusively: general housekeeping, wipe tests, molecular biology assays such as ELISA and qPCR, preparing solutions, and executing biochemical procedures such as electrophoresis, blotting, chromatography, DNA and RNA extractions, and protein purification.
• May perform advanced laboratory research activities such as microscopy techniques, imaging techniques, recombinant DNA techniques, and hybridizations.
• Perform routine experimental animal management and experimental tasks such as daily observations of animal health; collection of cultures and biological specimens; daily behavioral training or testing; daily management and recording of body weight, food, and fluid intake; administration of pharmacological or other agents; and animal colony management, including breeding and environmental enrichment. May also assist with advanced techniques such as animal surgery.
• May assist with constructing, customizing, testing, troubleshooting, repairing, maintaining, or cleaning of equipment, as well as ordering of required components and explaining/resolving technical issues.
• Administer day-to-day laboratory operations, including monitoring the budget, ordering supplies, ensuring quality control and safety compliance, developing policies and procedures, and coordinating with and managing documentation for regulatory bodies.
• Maintain meticulous, timely, and accurate records of all research activities and communicate them with supervisor and other lab members including presenting in lab meetings.
• Compile, analyze, and/or interpret research data using various relevant computer software applications such as Excel, Graphpad Prism, MATLAB, or R, and may include coding of custom scripts. Analysis may include computational modeling or bioinformatics approaches.
• Assist in the training of undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral, international fellows, and/or junior technical personnel in the performance of a variety of laboratory techniques.
• Assist with literature research, editing and preparing manuscripts, scientific illustrations and computer graphics for publication.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Primary Duties - Laboratory Research Specialist:
In addition to performing the duties of the Lab Research Assistant, the Specialist may:

• Serve as a single specialist in a laboratory setting and provide advanced technical expertise to research project(s), including laboratory and animal techniques, study design, interpretation, and dissemination of findings.
• Perform PI-directed project(s) independently and participate in the design of research studies. Independently perform day-to-day laboratory research activities and proactively plan and advance the progress of projects.
• Establish and/or perform experiments involving advanced systems neuroscience approaches such as intracranial surgeries, fiber implantation, and fiber photometry.
• Conduct library research and participate in editing and preparing manuscripts, scientific illustrations, and computer graphics for publication. Contribute to the preparation of journal articles or grant proposals.
• Establish or develop standard operating protocols, novel experimental paradigms, custom equipment, or code/data analysis tools and pipelines.
• Train and assist undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral, international fellows, and/or junior technical personnel in the performance of a variety of laboratory techniques.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Laboratory Research Assistant
Education: Bachelor's degree in neuroscience, psychology, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or other field of study related to the laboratory research topics.
Other: May require training related to occupational safety and health, environmental compliance, shipping of hazardous materials and/or ionizing radiation.

Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement. Ability to lift at least 20 lbs. and perform extensive walking and standing.

Laboratory Research Specialist
Education: Bachelor's degree in neuroscience, psychology, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or other field of study related to the laboratory research topics.
Experience: Three (3) years of experience, including two (2) years in the relevant research specialization.
Other: May require training related to occupational safety and health, environmental compliance, shipping of hazardous materials and/or ionizing radiation.

Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement. Ability to lift at least 20 lbs. and perform extensive walking and standing.

Preferred Experience
Experience in mouse handling and behavior or other neuroscience assays, fiber photometry. Conceptual or technical background in host-microbe interactions, omics approaches, neuroimmunology, gastrointestinal or liver physiology, or drug metabolism. MATLAB and/or R coding, computational modeling (e.g., reinforcement learning models) or bioinformatics, statistics. Experience with laboratory administration processes such as management of IACUC protocols or environmental health and safety procedures. Miscellaneous facility in tinkering with mechanical or electrical systems such as 3D printing, power tools, computer hardware components, raspberry pis, etc.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of position requirements. Knowledge of all applicable requirements, regulations, and laws. Skill in effective use of applicable technology/systems. Ability to effectively communicate both verbal and written thoughts, ideas, and facts. Ability to work cooperatively with others and independently. Ability to demonstrate, understand, apply, and adhere to the UMB Core Values of Respect and Integrity, Well-being and Sustainability, Equity and Justice, and Innovation and Discovery.
• Ability to contribute constructively and respectfully as a member of a team of individuals with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, skills, and roles.
• Ability to communicate professionally, respectfully, and in a timely manner.
• Adaptability to fluctuations in job demands (e.g., different daily duties) depending on current project and lab needs and priorities.
• Time management and organization skills. Ability to effectively manage multiple ongoing priorities or projects simultaneously.

Lab Research Assistant Hiring Range: $49,000 - $54,000, commensurate with education and experience.

Lab Research Specialist Hiring Range: $62,250 - $72,000, commensurate with education and experience.

UMB is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce and is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, sex, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, marital status, protected veteran's status, or any other legally protected classification.

If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request. You may also contact leave_and_accom@umaryland.edu. Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. Read the UMB Notice of Non-Discrimination for more information.