In Vivo Research Associate II, Konermann Lab

About the Position

We are seeking an In Vivo Research Associate II to join the Konermann Laboratory at the Arc Institute. You will collaborate closely with experienced scientists to advance in vivo projects focused on understanding brain development. This project builds on previous work in genome-scale CRISPR screening and aims to combine modern functional genomics and neuroscience tools to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying brain development and function. The ideal candidate will have experience in animal handling and colony management, intracerebral injections, sample processing for single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial pipelines, and imaging. This position offers an excellent opportunity for candidates considering PhD programs, as it involves participation in all stages of a research project under the guidance of an experienced scientist.

About You

• You love science and learning. Whether it's a new field or a new bench technique, you stay curious and enjoy stepping outside your comfort zone.
• You are detail-oriented. You're careful and diligent about documentation and good lab practice, and you like keeping things organized.
• You collaborate and help others. Science is a team effort, and you take the initiative to pitch in.
• You are a problem solver. Experiments rarely work the first time. You bring patience and confidence to complex technical troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, analyze, and troubleshoot experiments with a high degree of independence, with continued support from the rest of the team
• Perform in vivo mouse experiments, including stereotaxic surgeries, as well as IV and IP injections
• Collect and process tissue, including vibratome and/or cryostat sectioning, immunostaining, and imaging
• Comply with federal, Arc, and local IACUC/AAALAC regulations governing animal research
• Follow Arc's standards for code of conduct, safety, and the handling of hazardous materials, biological materials, and controlled substances
• Analyze and present data at subgroup meetings and seminars
• Maintain an organized, detailed lab notebook

Requirements

• BS with 2+ years of relevant experience, or MS, in molecular biology, neuroscience, or another relevant field. Relevant experience includes independent lab work during undergraduate studies
• Strong experience working with laboratory animals, including handling, restraint, and procedures under an approved protocol (intracranial, IV, and IP injections, as well as perfusions)
• Detail-oriented, with excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Outstanding critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Highly motivated and curious, with the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team
• Ability to work some weekends as needed (days off can be swapped for weekdays)

Preferred Skills

• Prior experience with cloning via Gibson assembly or Golden Gate protocols (library cloning experience is a plus)
• Knowledge of and experience with NGS library preparation, particularly single-cell and spatial workflows
• Computational skills (Python or R)

Pay

The base salary for this position is $75,900. This amount does not include benefits or other forms of compensation.