Research Assistant II

Job Title: Research Assistant II

Grade: 10

Salary:$43,700-$52,101

The Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene is seeking a qualified candidate to fill a full-time Research Assistant II position in our neuroscience laboratory, in which they will provide research support for several projects focused on understanding the circuit neurobiology of learning and flexible behavior in mice using tools such as fiber photometry recording and optogenetic manipulations as well as advanced microscopy for anatomic/histologic analysis. The qualified candidate will work closely with division members, including undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral research scientists, and faculty members. The Research Assistant must be highly organized, detailed-focused, and results driven. The candidate should also possess exceptional communication skills and work effectively with a diverse group of researchers. The Research Assistant must be capable of working with minimal supervision, and capable of thoroughly documenting and communicating daily activities and experiments.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct mouse colony maintenance, including breeding, drug administration, postsurgical care, etc.
• Independently execute behavioral assays of mouse behavior, including motor function, attention and memory, anxiety and fear, and motivation.
• Perform stereotaxic surgical procedures on mice.
• Process brain tissue for immunohistochemical analysis.
• Acquire, process, and perform quantification of images obtained by microscopy.
• Analysis of data using statistical techniques.
• Keep detailed records and reports and discuss progress of work regularly with project supervisor and Principal Investigators.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA or equivalent degree in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or related field
• At least (6) months of experience in the handling of laboratory mice.
• At least (1) year of experience using standard graphing software and Microsoft Office suite.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in conducting mouse behavioral tests.
• Experience in circuit-based analysis of behavior using, e.g., stereotaxic surgeries, viral expression of proteins of interest, behavioral analysis, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence microscopy.
• Familiarity with Graphpad Prism, MATLAB, and/or MedPC.

Work Location: 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032

To Apply: Submit an application through our website at https://rfmh.applicantpro.com/jobs/. Please note only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

The Mission of the Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. (RFMH) is to promote the mental health of all New Yorkers, with a focus on providing hope and supporting recovery for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. Applicants with lived mental health experience are encouraged to apply. RFMH is deeply committed to supporting underserved individuals, organizations, and communities. To this end, RFMH is focused on implementing activities and initiatives to reduce disparities in access, quality, and treatment outcomes for underserved populations. A critical component of these efforts is ensuring that RFMH is a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees' unique attributes and skills are valued and utilized to support the mission of the Agency. RFMH is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

The Research Foundation is a private not-for-profit corporation and is not an agency or instrumentality of the State of New York. Employees of the Research Foundation are not state employees, do not participate in any state retirement system, and do not receive state fringe benefits. Excellent Benefits Package. Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer - Disabled/Veteran, 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) compliant.