DESCRIPTION

UCSD Department of Psychiatry is one of the most innovative and productive academic departments in the country, offering challenging career opportunities in the diverse areas of advanced educational programs, cutting-edge research, and state-of-the-art clinical services. The department is committed to offering a dynamic learning environment and growing opportunities to its talented and dedicated employees.

This work will be performed in a pre-clinical research laboratory within the Department of Psychiatry, which focuses mainly on behavioral pharmacology in translational animal models of Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, PTSD, and other psychiatric illnesses.

Under supervision, the incumbent will work as a Laboratory Assistant, assisting with conducting multiple types of behavioral experiments with mice and/or rats as well as biochemical and molecular assays on animal and human tissues. The incumbent will also maintain accurate records of testing and euthanize mice and rats as instructed. The incumbent will be required to document and use procedures to weigh and dissolve drugs, weigh animals and assist with administering drugs, assist with processing tissue for assays (e.g. blood or brain), perform standard laboratory assays such as ELISAs, DNA/RNA extraction and immunohistochemistry. Collect and sort data using specialized software on lab computers, maintain neat and accurate records, as well as assist with a variety of laboratory administrative tasks. Finally, assisting in maintaining lab cleanliness will be required, as will assisting supervisor with tasks as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Two years of college including college level coursework completed in Psychology, Neuroscience, Biology or other related field and one year of laboratory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience handling rats and mice in a research setting (restraining, eartagging, injections, etc.).

• General laboratory experience (behavioral lab preferred).

• Experience with calculating dosages and dissolving a variety of chemicals.

• University coursework in organic/inorganic chemistry and laboratory techniques (pipetting, solution preparation, dosage calculation, etc.).

• Experience with DOS, Windows operating systems and Microsoft Office software (emphasis on Excel).

• Experience ordering and receiving supplies from scientific suppliers (Sigma, Fisher etc.).

• Demonstrated detailed organizational and record-keeping skills.

• Experience with filing, alphabetizing, organizing and maintaining research files.

• Proven ability to assist and perform standard laboratory assays such as but not limited to ELISAs, DNA/RNA extraction, immunohistochemistry.

• Excellent ability to communicate with all levels of laboratory personnel.

• Knowledge of general laboratory safety practices and requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of stereotaxic surgery.

• Experience with specialized behavioral testing equipment (Med Associates, San Diego Instruments, Coulbourn, Noldus).

• Experience with laboratory computers and specialized data collection software (Med Associates, San Diego Instruments, Noldus).

• Knowledge of small animal perfusion.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

• Must be willing to handle and euthanize rats and mice.

• Must be willing to collect and handle animal tissue.

• Must be willing to handle human specimens.

• Must be willing to work nights and/or weekends if necessary for experimental purposes.