Research Scientist I

Grade: 18 | Salary: $67,552–$81,257

The Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene is seeking a qualified candidate to fill a full-time Research Scientist I position at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. This role will perform research in a neuroscience laboratory investigating mechanisms underlying brain disorders using rodent models.

About the role

The research seeks to understand the neural mechanisms underlying normal cognitive function, in order to determine how they are disrupted in models of mental illness and neurodegeneration. The work utilizes several techniques in mice to investigate hippocampal neuronal structure, function, and impact on behavior.

Responsibilities

• Handling research rodents
• Performing stereotaxic surgeries and monitoring during recovery
• Conducting behavioral testing
• Performing histology/immunohistochemistry on samples
• Performing advanced microscopic imaging of samples
• Analysis and computational modeling of data
• Utilizing nuclear isolation, flow cytometry, and RNA sequencing to profile neurons for single-nucleus transcriptomics
• Flexible scheduling, including availability for evening and weekend work
• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous record-keeping
• Proper management of shared laboratory tasks such as animal husbandry, including breeding, weaning, genotyping, drug administration, post-surgical care, and maintenance of accurate colony records
• Regular discussion of progress with project supervisors and the Principal Investigator(s)

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of professional research experience in an appropriate field, or
• Master’s degree in an appropriate field (may substitute for 1 year of the experience), or
• Ph.D.

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD education in a neuroscience-related field
• At least 2 years of experience in at least 3 of the above-listed techniques
• At least 2 years of proficiency in single cell/nucleus transcriptomics and advanced imaging methods
• At least 2 years of familiarity with rodent research and animal husbandry
• At least 2 years of experience with rodent stereotactic brain surgery for virus injection surgeries
• Advanced skills in histology/immunohistochemistry
• Basic skills in flow cytometry
• Advanced skills in programming using R to analyze RNA sequencing data

Benefits

Excellent benefits package.

Pay

$67,552–$81,257

Schedule

Full-time, flexible scheduling including availability for evening and weekend work.

Work Location: 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032