Research Specialist II

The Dickerson lab at the Princeton Neuroscience Institute is looking for a motivated full-time research assistant. Research in the Dickerson lab is at the interface of neurobiology, biomechanics, and behavior and seeks to understand how mechanosensory input structures locomotor output. The lab studies the flight behavior of the fruit fly, Drosophila, combining the powerful genetic tools available for labeling and manipulating neural circuits with cutting-edge imaging in awake, behaving animals (current site: https://www.dickerson.bio.unc.edu). This is a one-year position with the possibility of renewal contingent upon satisfactory performance and funding

- Fly husbandry: daily maintenance of dozens of fly stocks through fly "flipping"; weekly acquisition of vials and bottles for housing flies from the fly kitchen on campus; maintaining a reasonable density of fly bottles and vials in the lab's incubators to prevent overcrowding and humidity issues; shipping and receiving flies to and from collaborators; teaching these skills to new lab members as appropriate.

- Experimental support: planning and executing genetic crosses, performing dissections, confocal imaging for neuroanatomy, simple image analysis and neural tracing using programs such as ImageJ; transferring skills to lab members as needed.

- Digitizing lab protocols; collaborating with PI on the creation of lab manual/handbook; purchasing of supplies and equipment; tracking lab inventory; organizing group meetings; maintaining basic lab safety and EHS compliance.

Essential Qualifications:

B.A. and 2+ yrs experience or equivalent (master's degree) majoring in neuroscience, computer science, engineering, or related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Proficiency in Drosophila genetics, fly rearing techniques, experience with fly dissections, confocal imaging.
- Experience with dissections, molecular techniques common in Drosophila, immunofluorescence, and confocal imaging are highly advantageous.

This position is subject to the University's background check policy.

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