We are seeking a Sr. Research Specialist who will provide technical assistance in rat colony management (breeding, maintaining colony census, genotyping), and molecular and histological analysis of rat brain tissue. In addition to this primary responsibility, the Sr. Research Specialist will assist with other ongoing experiments such as behavioral testing of young and aged rats and surgical procedures.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Scientific Research and Reporting

• Maintains experimental animals, strategizes breeding, training, and behavioral testing, performs basic histological techniques.
• Performs all aspects of experiments related to investigation of cognitive function in aging including, but not limited to DNA/RNA/protein extraction, in situ hybridization, western blotting, real time PCR, immunohistochemistry, maintenance of experimental and laboratory records.
• Designs experiments and develops/tests protocols.
• Understands the operational modalities of collaborative labs to perform and track the progress of interdependent experiments.
• Evaluates experimental results, identifies problems, and proposes and implements plans for solutions.
• Actively engage in ongoing research projects and provide support as necessary to ensure that researchers achieve milestones.
• Meets regularly with Principal Investigators and other research staff members to review data accuracy and overall study progress.
• Determines course of action for research projects regarding assessment, revision of objectives, or altering scientific direction as needed.
• Manages independent projects.
• Independently evaluates whether scientific component parts of experiments are working as expected.
• Serves as liaison with various entities throughout the scientific community.
• Contributes to data interpretation, manuscript preparation and publishing.
• Intellectually contributes to moving the project forward.
• Duties may also include preparation and performing animal perfusion and brain dissection.
• Stay updated on scientific literature, seminars, and lectures to make informed decisions on scientific strategies and research development.
• Continuously learn new techniques and methods as required for the advancement of research goals.

Data Management

• Performs data analysis.
• Ensures that research data is properly recorded and managed, including analyzing whether data makes sense based on calibrations and scientific hypothesis.
• Uses specialized software applications to assemble, manipulate, and/or format data and reports.
• Maintain data archives and organize study files.

Technical Support

• Provides on and off-site technical consultation and training to associate research scientists, post-doctoral fellows, and laboratory staff members.
• Provide technical support and assistance jointly between collaborative labs that study cognitive aging.
• Apply technical knowledge to support ongoing research activities.

Laboratory Support

• Responsible for maintaining a clean and safe lab space, including proper labeling of new supplies/materials and proper disposal of chemicals and other waste, and other duties as assigned.
• Conduct routine review of, troubleshoot, and resolve any problems with lab equipment.
• Monitors inventory levels of laboratory materials and supplies, facilitates purchase of supplies/materials as needed, and verifies orders upon receipt.
• Independently identifies and resolves operational issues as needed.
• Serves as emergency contact for laboratories and back-up to the laboratory manager when required due to inclement weather or laboratory member absences.

Safety and Training

• Trains and manages undergraduates, graduate students, and others rotating through the laboratory.
• Responsible for monitoring radiation usage and disposal, as well as associated record maintenance for the lab.

Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Organizational skills and attention to detail are essential.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and able to communicate effectively and proactively in a collaborative team environment.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects, and effectively prioritize each.
• Experience in using and maintaining electrophysiology recording probes and their related electronic/computer interfaces is desired.
• Knowledge of standard protocols for PCR, basic molecular biology techniques, immunohistochemistry, tissue processing, and maintenance of experimental/laboratory records.
• Must be familiar with office and laboratory applications of Microsoft Office programs (especially Excel) and/or data analysis software (SAS, SPSS).
• Ability to work highly independently, but also collaboratively with individuals within the laboratory as well as from other research groups.
• Knowledge of dosing, preparation and delivery of centrally acting drugs.

Level of Independent Decision Making

• Highly independent.

Technical qualifications or specialized certifications

• DNA/RNA/protein extraction, in situ hybridization, western blotting, real time PCR, immunohistochemistry, basic histological techniques, animal handling, rodent husbandry, utilizing rodent behavioral paradigms, perfusion and brain dissection.
• No specific certifications

Physical Requirements 

• No allergy to rodents.
• Able to stand for extended periods of time and reaching by extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.
• Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with whole hand(s) or arm(s).
• Ability to move some moderately-large equipment (under 50lbs) and boxes in a laboratory environment. Ability to move within a laboratory environment where space can be very tight/small.

• Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry or related field.
• Four year's experience in a comparable laboratory performing relevant techniques.
• Master's degree, with related graduate research, may substitute for experience to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Previous experience working with animals, rodent husbandry, utilizing rodent behavioral paradigms, PCR, and/or immunohistochemistry.
• Previous experience with or other similar behavioral testing/data collection programs.
• Coursework in basic cell or molecular biology or neuroscience.

Classified Title: Sr. Research Specialist   
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/MC  
Starting Salary Range: $48,000 - $84,100 Annually (Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: M-F/9:00AM-5:00PM - Some weekends may be required based on timing of experiments. 
Exempt Status: Exempt 
Location: Homewood Campus 
Department name: ​​​​​​​Psychological and Brain Sciences  
Personnel area: School of Arts & Sciences