Research Assistant in the Department of Psychology

Haverford College invites applications to our available part time (30 hours per week), fixed term, Research Assistant position in the Developmental Behavioral Neuroscience lab at Haverford College.

This position is for two years (one initial year, with the possibility for an additional one year renewal following evaluation), also with the possibility of a shift to full-time status in the future depending on funding. The preferred start date is September 1, 2021. The lab uses rodent models to study the ontogeny of learning and memory as well as the mechanisms by which normal development can be disrupted following early-life events. We are looking for a research assistant to help manage the rodent facilities, collaborate with undergraduates on their thesis projects and support the general research program. A successful candidate will have animal handling experience, be independent, have excellent time management and communication skills and be able to adapt to evolving research needs.

Essential Functions & Primary Responsibilities:

• Helping with lab organization and other support duties relating to lab operations
• Assisting undergraduates with thesis projects including assisting with behavioral procedures and the collection, analysis, and interpretation of thesis data
• Performing rodent colony management, husbandry, breeding and maintenance of real-time animal colony database
• Independently scheduling and conducting experimental studies including behavioral assays, surgical procedures, and tissue dissection
• Assist with routine terminal procedures, performing necropsy procedures to collect brains, blood or other tissue types, and histological procedures, such as cryo-sectioning, immunohistochemistry and microscopy
• Performing injections via various routes including s.c., i.p., i.v., and oral gavage and blood draws
• Working with potentially hazardous chemicals, and biological materials, surgical anesthesia, and histochemical assays
• Knowledge of and strict adherence to safety procedures IACUC protocols and compliance with all safety training protocols

Line of Report:

This position will report directly to the Principal Investigator (PI) of the lab, Dr. Patrese A. Robinson-Drummer and work closely with the Sharpless vivarium manager. There are no positions that report to this Research Assistant.

Education, Training, & Experience:

• Required
  
  
  • Bachelor's degree in neuroscience, psychology, biology or related field required.
  • At least one year of hands-on experience with rodent research models
  • Excellent analytical and organizational skills
  • Ability to work both independently and as a team member
  • Able to learn complex tasks with general instruction, and to use experience to perform a variety of new techniques
  • Strong time management and record-keeping skills with meticulous accuracy and attention to detail
• Preferred
  • Prior practical experience with animal husbandry (including breeding and colony management) and lab management
  • Previous training in tissue sectioning, stereotaxic surgery, immunohistochemistry and transcardial perfusion

Essential or Non-essential Employee:

This status determines for the identification, treatment of time, and use of “Essential Personnel” during campus emergencies, including those that dictate suspension of services and/or closure of operations, i.e. inclement weather. During an emergency, Essential Personnel are required to be on campus in order to provide services that relate directly to the health, safety, and welfare of the College, ensure continuity of key operations, and maintain and protect College's properties.

X This is an Essential employee role

☐ This is a Non-essential employee role

Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions Required of this Position:

• Lifting (to exert strength to move objects from one place to another):
  
  
  • Sedentary Lifting: (0-10 pounds)Three to six hours
  • Light Lifting (10-20 pounds):Up to three hours
  • Moderate Lifting (20-50 pounds):Never
  • Heavy Lifting (50 to 100 pounds):Never
• Pulling (to draw an object toward oneself to move or change its direction:Up to three hours
• Pushing (to exert force upon an abject to move or change its direction):Up to three hours
• Carrying (to hold objects while moving entire body):Up to three hours
• Reaching or working above shoulder (to extend arms upward or outward away from body):Up to three hours
• Walking (to move entire body in erect position):Three to six hours
• Standing (to maintain body in erect posture in stationary position):Three to six hours
• Sitting (to rest weight on buttocks and back of thighs with legs bent at knees):Three to six hours
• Crouching/Stooping (to bend upper body forward while fully flexing knees):Up to three hours
• Kneeling (to maintain upper body in erect position while resting knees on ground):Never
• Climbing (to ascend or descent heights using ladders, scaffolding, stairs, poles, inclined surfaces):Up to three hours
• Twisting (to rotate upper body while feet remain stationary):Never
• Driving (operating a motor vehicle, crane, tractor, forklift, etc.):Never
• Exposure Limitation (i.e., Gas anesthesia used during rodent surgery, Odorous histological chemicals used, Cold temperatures during Cryo-sectioning, handling rodents):Up to three hours

Special Requirements:

- All faculty and staff (including contract workers) who are employed or engaged by Haverford College, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and provide proof of vaccination, unless an exemption from this policy has been granted as an accommodation or otherwise.

-This position may require periodic evening, weekend, and holiday hours for animal care.



Please note 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. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

To Apply : Interested applicants should complete an application, to include a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information of three (3) references as a single Word document or pdf by visiting https://haverford.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External/job/Haverford-Campus/Research-Assistant_R321 . The application deadline is Monday, August 9, 2021. Failure to provide the required documents may result in lack of consideration. Haverford College does not sponsor work visas.