Research Assistant

Columbia University (Staff Jobs)

Position Summary

Columbia University’s Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute unites world-class scientists across diverse academic disciplines to conduct groundbreaking research that transforms our understanding of the brain and its influence on the mind and behavior.

As a leading neuroscience institute, our mission is to decipher the mind and brain to better understand behavior. Our researchers are committed to foundational science, uncovering the principles that shape how the brain develops, functions, and recovers.

With more than 50 labs, the Zuckerman Institute serves as a hub for collaboration, bringing together Columbia’s top scholars to drive research in bold new directions. Located in Manhattanville, our state-of-the-art Jerome L. Greene Science Center provides an inspiring home for discovery in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

The research assistant will work closely with a postdoctoral researcher to conduct laboratory experiments and data analysis within a project studying olfactory neural processing and olfaction-guided learning and memory in mice. This position provides the opportunity to participate in the vibrant intellectual community of the Axel laboratory within the Zuckerman Institute, located in the state-of-the-art Jerome L. Greene Science Center on Columbia’s Manhattanville campus in Manhattan. The Axel laboratory is a world leader in the study of the brain’s transformation of olfactory information in the external world into thoughts, meaning, and action. We seek someone who is eager to learn, enthusiastic about our science, organized, and responsible.

This is a full-time grant-funded role.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Under the direction of the PI, perform animal manipulations, including non-survival and survival surgeries

• Perform behavioral training on rodents

• Perform data collection and basic behavioral and imaging data analysis

• Collecting and analyzing behavioral and neural activity data using Matlab, Excel, and/or Python

• Assist with administrative and documentation relating to experiments

• Other duties assigned

• Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in neuroscience, biology, chemistry or another related area of science is required. A minimum of 2 years of related experience in a research environment

• Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with molecular biology, histology, micro-dissection, or programming (Matlab, Python, or similar language) are a plus.

• The ideal candidate must show an ability to work independently with accuracy and attention to detail. They must be flexible in nature and exhibit a willingness to learn new techniques and function in a fast-paced and changing work environment. They must possess strong organizational skills, keep excellent notes, show sound judgment, and have a collaborative style that fosters teamwork and cooperation as well as the ability to work independently within a diverse and dynamic team environment.

• Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

• Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.