Research Assistant, Pharmacology & Systems Physiology

Current UC employees must apply internally via SuccessFactors > http://bit.ly/UCEMPL

Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the nation’s best urban public research universities. Home to more than 47,000 students, 10,500 faculty and staff and 330,000 alumni, UC combines a Top 35 research university with a physical setting The New York Times calls “the most ambitious campus design program in the country.”

With the launch of Next Lives Here, the Cincinnati Innovation District, a $100 million JobsOhio investment, eight straight years of record enrollment, worldwide leadership in cooperative education, a dynamic academic health center and entry into the Big 12 athletic conference, UC’s momentum has never been stronger. UC’s annual budget tops $1.6 billion and its endowment totals $1.9 billion.

Job Overview

As one of the oldest medical schools in the country, the UC College of Medicine has a reputation for training best-in-class health care professionals and developing cutting-edge procedures and research that improves the health and clinical care of patients.

An entry-level Research Assistant position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Jayme McReynolds in the Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. This is a full-time position that will begin with a one-year appointment. Dr. McReynolds’s laboratory is part of a highly collegial and interactive group of neuroscience researchers. The McReynolds lab uses behavioral, genetic, viral, and neurophysiological approaches to study neurobiological changes that underlie stress effects on substance use disorder, learning and memory, and neuropsychiatric disorders.

The Research Assistant will assist in the designing, performing, and analyzing of neurobiological studies that investigate the effect of stress on substance use disorder as well as be responsible for general lab maintenance and coordination of wet lab-based or behavioral projects in the lab.

Essential Functions

• Assist in the execution of rodent behavioral studies.
• Assist in the execution of wet lab-based projects in the lab including tissue sectioning, immunohistochemistry, microscopy, and PCR-based projects.
• Perform experiments and record data according to research protocols.
• Perform analysis of microscopy and PCR-based projects and may perform statistical and graphical analysis of data.
• May assist in animal colony management and animal husbandry.
• Apply research principals for less complex assignments.
• Perform general lab maintenance duties including, but not limited to, organization and maintenance of the wet lab space, managing protocols, ordering of supplies and tracking of inventory.
• Perform related duties based on departmental need. This job description can be changed at any time.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Five (5) years of relevant work experience and/or other specialized training can be used in lieu of education requirement.

Additional Qualifications Considered

• At least one (1) year of research study experience is ideal.
• Experience with the following laboratory procedures and techniques are ideal: rodent handling, rodent behavioral testing, small animal colony maintenance, immunohistochemistry, microscopy, and microscopy analysis with Image J. Successful applicants should also have working knowledge of software applications (i.e. Microsoft Office or equivalent). Ideal applicants will have experience with data management and analysis.
• Successful candidates will be expected to exhibit individual initiative, work independently, be technically proficient and accurate, effectively communicate in both written reports and presentations, initiate and ensure compliance with applicable safety procedures, and possess attention to detail.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Office environment/no specific unusual physical or environmental demands.

Compensation and Benefits

UC offers a wide array of complementary and affordable benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, health, and wellness needs of you and your family. Eligibility varies by position and FTE.

• Competitive salary range dependent on the candidate’s experience.
• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts and an award-winning employee wellness program, plus an employee assistance program.
• Financial security via our life and long-term disability insurance, accident and illness insurance, and retirement savings plans.
• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, annual holidays, and winter season days in addition to paid parental leave.
• Tuition remission is available for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Enjoy discounts for on and off-campus activities and services.

The University of Cincinnati, as a multi-national and culturally diverse university, is committed to providing an inclusive, equitable and diverse place of learning and employment. As part of a complete job application you will be asked to include a Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion statement.

As a UC employee, and an employee of an Ohio public institution, if hired you will not contribute to the federal Social Security system, other than contributions to Medicare. Instead, UC employees have the option to contribute to a state retirement plan (OPERS, STRS) or an alternative retirement plan (ARP).

The University of Cincinnati is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer / Minority / Female / Disability / Veteran.

REQ: 90965 

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