Staff Scientist - Houston, United States - Baylor College of Medicine

Description

Job Description:

Summary

The Staff Scientist work is centered around basic mechanisms of glioma-induced neural excitability using cutting-edge neuroscientific methods in mice. Will independently conduct and analyze experiments involving surgical mouse preparation, in vivo imaging, behavior and electrophysiology recordings, design and implementation of experiments to modulate neuronal function, and design of custom computational analysis code including statistical analyses. Other duties include scientific publication and presentation of completed studies, maintenance and organization of laboratory equipment and animal colony.

The ideal candidate for this position will be highly motivated to work both independently to successfully execute the required studies outlined in the NIH-funded project, and will also thrive in a highly collaborative environment where they interact with neurologists, neuroscientists, tumor biologists, geneticists, veterinarians and other scientists on a regular basis. This project is highly interdisciplinary and offers ample opportunity to be involved in the development of novel experimental approaches at the intersection of neuroscience and cancer biology.

Job Duties

Experimental Duties

• Design and prepare experiments using existing lab procedures as a guide, including surgical manipulation of mice, animal drug administration, fluorescent dye/virus injection, operation of in vivo chronic imaging setup including a combined two-photon and widefield fluorescence microscope, EEG recording, and behavioral monitoring.
• Document experimental procedures appropriately.

Data analysis

• Compile data and organize for analysis.
• Use existing computational analysis code and adapts to specific needs, performs appropriate statistical tests, summarizes and presents data on a regular basis.

Mouse Colony Management

• Organize breeder cages, keep records, ensure animal guidelines are followed, transfer animals to/from collaborators, take tissue samples, run and document genotyping process in collaboration with lab technician.
• Communicate with the institutional animal care and use committee and center for comparative medicine to ensure compliance with animal protocol and guidelines.

Lab Maintenance

• Order routine laboratory reagents, regularly perform inventory, ensure supplies are stocked, schedule regular maintenance of biosafety cabinets, fume hoods etc., in collaboration with lab technician.
• Help maintain and update the IACUC animal and biosafety protocols.
• Communicate with department staff as needed for various organizational tasks.

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctoral Degree. Experience may not be substituted in lieu of degree.
• Three years of post doctoral research experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Track record of experimental work or coursework in neuroscience/neurology/tumor biology.
• Laboratory experience handling and breeding mice.
• Experience collecting and analyzing fluorescence microscope images, electrophysiological and behavioral data.
• Experience analyzing scientific data using MATLAB, Python, or other languages.

Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.

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