Staff Scientist - Anesthesiology

About the role

The Norris Laboratory at WashU Medicine in St. Louis seeks a Staff Scientist to lead design and execution of research protocols in a translational neuroscience laboratory. The Norris Lab studies neural circuits at the intersections of sleep, stress, metabolism, and anesthesia, with a current focus on understanding how the brain regulates stress coping behaviors. The successful candidate will contribute to advancing our understanding of neural mechanisms underlying coping strategies with direct implications for understanding psychiatric resilience. You will work in a professional, collaborative environment that values scientific excellence, rigorous methodology, and the professional growth of all team members.

Responsibilities

• Designs research protocols for behavioral neuroscience studies in rodent models, including experimental design, data collection procedures, and quality assurance frameworks for data management.
• Conducts and supervises behavioral experiments using advanced techniques including fiber photometry, optogenetics, and chemo genetics to measure and manipulate neural activity during stress-coping paradigms; maintains detailed, organized experimental records and databases.
• Performs sophisticated statistical and computational analysis of behavioral and electrophysiological data, including real-time sleep-state classification, behavioral quantification, and neural activity analysis; prepares clear, interpretative reports and data visualizations.
• Contributes to manuscript preparation, including data presentation, methods description, results analysis, and peer-review responses; supports grant preparation and regulatory documentation as needed.
• Troubleshoots technical issues with experimental equipment and animal models; proposes and implements methodological improvements in testing procedures to enhance data quality and scientific rigor.
• Conducts literature reviews to stay current with advances in stress neuroscience, behavioral pharmacology, and optogenetic/fiber photometry methods.
• Maintains high standards of professionalism, scientific integrity, and safety; contributes to a collaborative, inclusive lab culture that supports excellence.

Requirements

Required Qualifications: Master’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education. No specific certifications/professional licenses are required for this position.

Skills

Not Applicable

Benefits

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• Defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
• 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child.
• Eligible for tuition reimbursement for dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.