Research Associate

Department:

SOM KC Department of Cell Biology and Physiology

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Del Rio Lab

Position Title:

Research Associate - CBP Del Rio Lab

Job Family Group:

Professional Staff

Job Description Summary:

A full-time Research Associate position is immediately available for a highly motivated individual to support an NIH-funded R01 project investigating the neural mechanisms underlying cardiorespiratory regulation.

Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in biology, neuroscience, physiology, biomedical sciences, or a related field with substantial relevant research experience; a Master’s degree or other advanced training is preferred. Experience with rodent models, in vivo physiology, neurophysiology, fiber photometry, electrophysiology, stereotaxic procedures, or related experimental approaches is highly desirable.

The Research Associate in Dr. Del Rio’s laboratory will independently conduct and support experiments aimed at defining neuronal activity and neural mechanisms involved in cardiorespiratory regulation. The position will involve advanced in vivo and ex vivo/in situ experimental approaches, quantitative data analysis, troubleshooting of experimental procedures, and contributions to the interpretation and dissemination of research findings.

The research is conducted in modern laboratory space equipped with state-of-the-art systems for integrative physiology, neural recordings, and fiber photometry within the collaborative research environment of the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Job Description:

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Perform research experiments under the direction of the PI and contribute to the development and optimization of experimental protocols

• Conduct in vivo fiber photometry experiments to assess neuronal activity in rodent models

• Perform in situ brainstem neural recordings and related neurophysiological experiments

• Perform rodent handling, surgical procedures, physiological monitoring, experimental preparation, and post-procedural care as required by approved protocols

• Maintain mouse and/or rat colonies, including breeding, record keeping, and genotyping as needed

• Perform histological, molecular, and other endpoint analyses associated with ongoing studies

• Process, analyze, interpret, and organize complex physiological and neurophysiological datasets

• Troubleshoot experimental procedures, instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and analytical workflows

• Maintain laboratory equipment, experimental supplies, inventories, and records necessary for ongoing research activities

• Participate actively in laboratory meetings and individual meetings with the PI, including presentation and interpretation of experimental results

• Contribute to the preparation of figures, scientific manuscripts, abstracts, presentations, progress reports, and grant applications

• Assist with training and technical guidance of junior laboratory personnel and students when appropriate

• Follow established quality control, quality assurance, animal-use, biosafety, and regulatory procedures, including appropriate documentation

• Assist with maintaining laboratory regulatory, animal-use, and research compliance documentation

• Perform other research-related duties as assigned

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. It is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, duties, and assignments. Furthermore, job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Required Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in biology, neuroscience, physiology, biomedical sciences, or another related scientific field with substantial relevant research experience.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have the foundational knowledge and skill set required to perform the duties of the position.  The level of degree is based on accreditation requirements, institutional standards of academic and professional excellence, alignment with peer institution benchmarks, and contributes to the credibility and effectiveness of the role within the university community.

Work Experience:

• Experience in neuroscience, physiology, integrative physiology, or a related biomedical field
• Experience with rodent handling and in vivo experimental procedures
• Experience with neurophysiological techniques such as fiber photometry, electrophysiology, neural recordings, stereotaxic surgery, or physiological data acquisition
• Experience with quantitative analysis of physiological or neurophysiological data
• Experience in training or providing technical guidance to students and junior laboratory personnel
• Conducting experiments with increasing independence, troubleshoot technical problems, and maintain accurate research documentation

Preferred Qualifications:

Education: MS or PhD in neuroscience, physiology, biology, biomedical sciences, or a related field from an accredited institution.

Skills:

• Analytical Skills

• Organizational Skills
• Time Management Skills

• Written and Verbal Communication Skills

Required Documents:

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

Employee Type:

Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Time Type:

Full time

Rate Type:

Hourly

Compensation Statement:

The pay range listed for this position is determined by our compensation program using market data and salary benchmarking. A combination of factors is considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, education, experience and training, qualifications relative to the requirements of the position, and funding. At the University of Kansas Medical Center, a reasonable estimate for the starting pay range will be the minimum to midpoint of the posted range, taking into account the combination of factors listed above. 

Pay Range:

$24.71 - $35.82

Minimum

$24.71

Midpoint

$30.29

Maximum

$35.82