Research Assistant

Job Description

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The Childs Laboratory in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University is seeking a Research Assistant to join our team studying the neural mechanisms of addiction.

This position is ideal for a recent graduate in biology or a related field who is interested in gaining research experience before applying to graduate, medical, or MD/PhD programs. A commitment of 1–2 years is preferred to allow sufficient time to train and to contribute meaningfully to ongoing projects. However, a longer-term position may be possible for the right candidate.

The Childs Laboratory investigates the neurobiology of drug-seeking and relapse, with a focus on the medial habenula, a critical brain region involved in motivation and addiction. Our research combines behavioral neuroscience and molecular approaches to understand how the medial habenula contributes to addiction.

Research approaches in the lab include:

• Rodent behavioral models of addiction
• In vivo neural activity recording using fiber photometry
• Viral and genetic tools for targeting defined cell populations
• Molecular and epigenetic analyses (RNA-seq, RRBS, RTqPCR, ChIPqPCR, etc.)
• Histology and fluorescence imaging
• Statistical analysis of biological datasets

Principal Responsibilities

• The research assistant will work closely with Dr. Childs and other laboratory members to support ongoing projects. Responsibilities will include:
• Conducting behavioral experiments in mice
• Assisting with or learning surgical techniques in mice, including stereotaxic surgery and intravenous catheterization
• Maintaining and monitoring experimental mouse colonies
• Collecting and processing brain tissue for molecular analyses
• Performing molecular biology techniques such as nucleic acid extraction and qPCR preparation
• Assisting with imaging experiments and data collection
• Organizing experimental data and assisting with basic data analysis
• Working collaboratively with other researchers in the lab

Training and MentorshipThis position offers extensive training in modern neuroscience techniques and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to ongoing research projects. Research assistants will receive mentorship in:

• Experimental design
• Data analysis and scientific interpretation
• Scientific communication and career development
• Research assistants who perform well will have opportunities to contribute intellectually to projects and may earn authorship on resulting publications

Location MUSOM - Marshall University School of Medicine Salary Range Salary is commensurate with experience, education, and internal equity Required Qualifications Education

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field.

Experience

• Some previous lab experience (e.g., undergraduate research, internships, or volunteering). Candidates must be comfortable working with mice.

Preferred Qualifications Education Experience Experience with one or more of the following would be beneficial but is not required:

• Rodent behavioral neuroscience
• Mouse colony management
• Surgical techniques in rodents
• Molecular biology techniques
• Histology or cryostat sectioning
• Fluorescence microscopy or neural imaging
• Data analysis in R or Python

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