Research Staff Assistant in the Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

Columbia University's Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute unites world-class scientists across diverse academic disciplines to conduct groundbreaking research that transforms our understanding of the brain and its influence on the mind and behavior.

As a leading neuroscience institute, our mission is to decipher the mind and brain to better understand behavior. Our researchers are committed to foundational science, uncovering the principles that shape how the brain develops, functions, and recovers.

With more than 50 labs, the Zuckerman Institute serves as a hub for collaboration, bringing together Columbia's top scholars to drive research in bold new directions.

Located in Manhattanville, our state-of-the-art Jerome L. Greene Science Center provides an inspiring home for discovery in one of the world's most dynamic cities.

The laboratory of Huston at the Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute has an open position for a highly motivated Research Staff Assistant to assist working in a cutting-edge neuroscience laboratory. The Research Staff Assistant is to perform behavioral and genetic experiments on Drosophila melanogaster to understand the integration of visual and proprioceptive sensory inputs and their consequences for motor control.

Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of the PI, develop and run behavioral or electrophysiological protocols that measure how visual and proprioceptive inputs influence motor behavior in the flies.
• Creating transgenic fly lines, crosses and maintaining fly stocks.
• Collecting and analyzing data using Matlab, Excel, and / or Python.
• Document and train other lab members in lab protocols.
• Help with general lab maintenance.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant scientific or engineering field required.
• A minimum one (1) year of related experience in a research environment is required.

Preferred Qualifications

Applicants with previous experience working with sensory or motor systems are especially encouraged to apply.

Hands-on experience in at least two of the following areas preferable :

• Patch clamp electrophysiology
• Electrophysiology in insects
• Drosophila genetics
• Quantitative behavior
• Immunohistochemistry and confocal imaging
• Prototyping and debugging experimental apparatus
• Computer programming (especially Matlab or Python)

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.