Research Scientist I

Job Title: Research Scientist I

Grade: 18

Salary:$67,552-$81,257

The Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene is seeking a qualified candidate to fill a full-time position of Research Scientist I at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. The role of this Research Scientist will be to perform research in a neuroscience laboratory investigating mechanisms underlying brain disorders using rodent models of these disorders. The research seeks to understand the neural mechanisms underlying normal cognitive function, in order to determine how they are disrupted in models of mental illness and neurodegeneration.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• This research utilizes several techniques in mice to investigate hippocampal neuronal structure, function, and impact on behavior. Responsibilities will vary depending on experimental demands and may include:
• Handling research rodents
• Performing stereotaxic surgeries and monitoring during recovery
• Conducting behavioral testing
• Performing histology/immunohistochemistry on samples
• Performing advanced microscopic imaging of samples
• Analysis and computational modeling of data
• Utilizing nuclear isolation, flow cytometry, and RNA sequencing to profile neurons for single-nucleus transcriptomics
• Flexible scheduling, including availability for evening and weekend work
• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous record-keeping
• Proper management of shared laboratory tasks such as animal husbandry, including breeding, weaning, genotyping, drug administration, post-surgical care, and maintenance of accurate colony records
• Regular discussion of progress with project supervisors and the Principal Investigator(s)

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and (2) years of professional research experience in an appropriate field or master's degree in an appropriate field may substitute for (1) year of the experience or a Ph.D.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD education in a neuroscience-related field
• At least (2) years of experience in at least 3 of the above-listed techniques
• At least (2) years of proficiency in single cell/nucleus transcriptomics and advanced imaging methods
• At least (2) years of familiarity with rodent research and animal husbandry
• At least (2) years of experience with rodent stereotactic brain surgery for virus injection surgeries
• Advanced skills in histology/immunohistochemistry
• Basic skills in flow cytometry
• Advanced skills in programming using R to analyze RNA sequencing data

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.