• Job Type: Support Staff - Non-Union
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building: Jerome L Greene Science Center
• Salary Range: $42,000 - $50,000

Position Summary

Columbia University's Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute brings together world-class scientists across academic disciplines conducting pioneering research to transform our understanding of how the brain works - and gives rise to mind and behavior. The Institute fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment across 50+ labs, advancing insights into human health by exploring how the brain develops, performs, endures and recovers.

At the Zuckerman Institute, we are committed to becoming a more inclusive, equitable and diverse place of scientific discovery and support a culture of respect. Promoting diversity in science will help drive the transformative science that can change the world.

Situated in the Jerome L. Greene Science Center on Columbia's Manhattanville campus, the state-of-the-art building offers an environment where the highest level of scholarly scientific research takes place on a daily basis, with the benefit of being located in the heart of New York, one of the world's most vibrant and culturally rich cities.

The Gottlieb Lab studies the mechanisms that underlie the brain's higher cognitive functions, including decision making, memory, and attention - and could offer insight into disorders that involve deficits of attention, such as attention deficit disorder, depression and drug addiction. More information about the lab can be found in the lab's web page.

The Ferrera Lab seeks to understand how the brain makes decisions when faced with incomplete information. This work is bringing much-needed insight into the neural circuits that enable the brain to perform complex feats, such as navigating social relationships or adapting to changing circumstances. These investigations are particularly important for psychiatric disorders characterized by dysfunctions in social functioning and reasoning, including autism, schizophrenia and depression. More information can be found on the lab's webpage.

The Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute is seeking a highly motivated individual to fill the position of a Research Staff Assistant to support both The Gottlieb and Ferrera Labs. Reporting directly to the Principal Investigators, the candidate will provide assistance with behavioral and neurophysiological experiments in large vertebrates.

This position provides a unique experience of working in a collaborative environment supporting the mission of the laboratory and allows plenty of opportunity for learning and growth -- and is ideal for someone seeking intensive research experience in preparation for graduate school.

This is a full-time grant funded role.

Responsibilities

• Assist in conducting behavioral training and neurophysiological experiments with large vertebrates, as directed by the PI.
• Assist in preparation of procedures including conducting experiments that involve intracranial injections and recordings with electrodes and photometry fibers, as directed by the PI.
• Collect data using software applications and assist in data analysis.
• Assist with maintenance of compliance related to protocols and regulations.
• Other duties as assigned by the PI.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, physics or related science or equivalent in education, training and experience. Six (6) months of related lab experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will have strong interest in research (including past research experience), as well as solid computer programming and statistical/data analysis skills, and must be hard-working, independent and disciplined, and have good communication and team work skills.
• The ideal candidate must possess sound judgment with a collaborative style that fosters teamwork and cooperation beyond the immediate team to the broader organization.