Research Technician

at  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

POSITION SUMMARY

Under supervision of the Principle Investigator and postdoctoral researchers, the candidate selected for this position will perform behavior, histology, and molecular biology experiments to discover novel treatments against pain and opioid addiction. Behavior experiments include assays to evaluate the analgesic or addictive properties of drugs in mice. Histology and molecular biology experiments include immunohistochemistry or fluorescent in situ hybridization experiments to determine the expression of proteins and RNAs in the nervous system.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES, AND EXPERIENCE

Strong work ethic, ability to multi-task, ability to trouble-shoot, highly organized, communicates clearly, works well with others, willing to learn, and invested in scientific and intellectual goals of the laboratory.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES, AND EXPERIENCE

Prior experience working with mice in a laboratory setting is strongly preferred. Experience with histology and molecular biology techniques is preferred.

POSITION/SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS

Animal Handler (non-DLAM)

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT

The Scherrer lab is part of the UNC Department of Cell Biology and Physiology and UNC Neuroscience Center. Our laboratory investigates the neurobiology of pain and opioid addiction. Additional information about our research can be found at https://www.scherrerlab.com/ The UNC Neuroscience Center is an interdepartmental research center on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine. Our mission is to promote various and extensive neuroscience research with a specific emphasis on developmental, cellular and disease-related processes. The Center supports research training through close collaboration with the Curriculum in Neuroscience, one of the oldest and most respected neuroscience training programs in the country. In addition, the Center sponsors post-graduate training in several ways including a major endowment that supports the Helen Lyng White Fellowships in Neuroscience research. The Neuroscience Center is organized into Research Working Groups that represent key areas in the neurosciences. Each working group includes researchers with both basic and disease related research. The goal is to harness advances and use them to alleviate or cure neurological and psychiatric disorders. The Center has several internal core facilities to expedite the mission of our researchers. These include Confocal Microscopy, Bioinformatics and the recently established BRAIN Initiative Viral Vector Core.