A Research Technician position is available immediately under the supervision of Dr. Lisa Saksida and Dr. Tim Bussey in the Translational Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (TCNLab) and BrainsCAN Rodent Cognition Core (RCC) at The University of Western Ontario. The research carried out by the TCNLab and the RCC teams combines neurobiological techniques for manipulating and observing brain circuits (e.g., DREADDs, optogenetics, pharmacology, transgenic and knockout mouse models, viral vectors, fibre photometry) with sophisticated analysis of cognition using mainly touchscreen-based assessment systems.
The Research Technician will assist with the research conducted in the TCNLab and the RCC at many levels. They will be expected to have a high degree of technical expertise and will help coordinate the general day-to-day operations in the TCNLab and in the RCC. They will gain proficiency in the scientific techniques used in the lab, and will develop and maintain SOPs and train lab members in their use. The Research Technician will be responsible for maintaining lab space, lab equipment and managing supplies. They will interact with work in collaboration with other lab staff, postdoctoral fellows and students.
Cognitive neuroscience in health and disease is a major research focus at Western, which is currently supported by BrainsCAN, a $66M Canada First Research Excellence Fund grant awarded to Western in 2016. The Robarts Research Institute and the Brain and Mind Institute together create a vibrant neuroscience research community with many opportunities for collaborations. The University of Western Ontario (www.uwo.ca) is a major educational and research center in Ontario with over 25,000 undergraduate and 5,000 graduate students. London, also known as the Forest City, is an affordable and lively community close to the Great Lakes and two hours from Toronto. The city offers many options for outdoor and cultural activities.
Qualified applicants should have at minimum a 2 year Community College Diploma in Biotechnology, Veterinary Technician or related discipline, and 1-2 years experience in a neuroscience related research laboratory environment with experience in molecular and cellular analysis of brain tissue and in behavioural analysis of rodents. Undergraduate or Masters degree in Life Sciences, prior experience in rodent models of brain disease, molecular and cellular biology, optogenetics and/or DREADDs will be an asset. Salary will be paid commensurate with experience.
Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.
Contact information All applications must be submitted through https://www.uwo.ca/hr/working/staff/ (Job ID 16987)
TCNLab: http://www.tcnlab.uwo.ca @TCNLab
BrainsCAN: https://brainscan.uwo.ca/ @Brains_CAN
Touchscreens: https://touchscreencognition.org/ @TouchScreenCog
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Posting end date: 2019/07/19
