RESEARCH TECHNICIAN
The Shahmoradian lab at the UT Southwestern Medical Center O’Donnell Brain Institute is seeking a full-time Research Technician to perform small animal surgeries and neuronal cell culturing. Our investigations focuses on cellular components and macromolecular assemblies involved in the neurodegenerative disease, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, using multi-scale and high-resolution correlative microscopy approaches.
Lab duties will be centered around surgical procedures in mouse models including but not limited to: stereotaxic brain injections and biopsies (survival and non-survival), tissue retrieval, dissection, and initiation/maintenance of neuron cell cultures (i.e., nigral and striatal) from embryonic tissues. If you do not have extensive experience in some of these areas, you will receive expert training.
Requirements:
- B.S. in biology, neuroscience, physiology, or closely related field
- Prior experience with rodent (brain) surgery
- Good manual dexterity/technical skills
- Excellent communication skills (oral and written)
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills
- A team-centered, collaborative mindset
- Problem-solving ability
- Proactive approach
Physical Requirements:
- Able to work with animals (rodents), lift animal cages onto a cart, perform routine animal injections, perform animal surgery
- Manipulate fine surgical instruments, perform routine animal injections
- Load cages onto a cart and transport them between the animal facility and the laboratory
Main tasks:
- Performs veterinary procedures on animals, including rodent survival and non-survival surgery
- Successfully uses stereotaxic tools for rodent brain injections and biopsies
- Routinely performs neuronal tissue harvesting and cell culturing
- Performs immunohistochemical techniques and microscopy on cells and tissues
- Sets up and sterilizes equipment, maintains detailed record keeping of experiments
- Assists in the day-to-day running of the lab – for example, ordering supplies pre-emptively, working with vendors and preparing regulatory paperwork
- Learns and applies new techniques for cell culturing and cell/tissue preservation
University Highlights:
- Highly collaborative and inclusive environment encompassing the entire spectrum of basic, translational, and clinical research
- Six Nobel Prize Winners and 25 members of the National Academy of Sciences
- Ranked No. 1 in the world among healthcare institutions in biomedical sciences (Nature Index 2019)
- Several employee benefits including free health insurance for full-time staff, and excellent coverage for dependents.
Living Environment:
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is home to:
- Top educational school systems in Texas and the nation
- Dallas Arts District, the largest contiguous urban arts district in the United States, covering contiguous ~120 acres (0.5 square kilometer)
- “Deep Ellum”, the live music capital of North Texas and a hub for the performing arts from theater to comedy
- Several parks and lakes great for boating and camping
- Multitude of great dining and shopping options
- Central location in the US, with easy access to major international airport and a smaller national airport