The School of Humanities and Sciences (H&S) is the foundation of a liberal arts education at Stanford. The school encompasses 24 departments and 24 interdisciplinary programs. H&S is home to fundamental and applied research, where free, open, and critical inquiry is pursued across disciplines. As the university’s largest school, H&S serves as the foundation of a Stanford undergraduate education no matter which discipline students pursue as a major. Graduate students work alongside world-renowned faculty to pursue and shape foundational research that leads to breakthroughs and discoveries that shed new light on the past, influence the present, and shape the future. Together, faculty and students in H&S engage in inspirational teaching, learning, and research every day.
Department Description: The department of Biology at Stanford University is devoted to discovering fundamental knowledge of the living world: from the behavior of single molecules to dynamics of cells, organisms, populations, and interactions of biological systems with our planet. We are dedicated to developing innovative training experiences for the next generation of biologists, and to building an inclusive learning environment that unites scientists from diverse disciplines and life experiences to creatively address critical questions for today’s world. Learn more at https://biology.stanford.edu/
Position Summary: The Laboratory of Organismal Biology at Stanford University has a position for a motivated research assistant at the Life Science Research Professional II level with interests in amphibian neuroscience and behavior. Our lab focuses on behavior and physiology in amphibians and this position will focus on (1) understanding the neural mechanism of caregiver recognition in social tadpoles and (2) using machine learning tools such as DeepLabCut to quantify video recordings of behavioral experiments, making protocols accessible to the broader scientific community, and community engagement through partnerships with science classrooms in K-12 education. This is a great opportunity for people interested in amphibians, neuroscience, and science communication.
The main responsibilities of the successful candidate are to detect specific proteins in brain tissues with immunohistochemistry, clear whole brains using the iDISCO technique, probe neural circuits using approaches such as dye electroporation, and optimize DeepLabCut for quantifying tadpole behavior. Other responsibilities include performing routine laboratory techniques maintain records of lab work, assisting in data analysis, and conducting behavior experiments. The earliest start date for this position is October 2024.
If you believe that this opportunity is a match for your knowledge, skills and abilities, we encourage you to apply. Thank you for considering employment opportunities with the School of Humanities and Sciences.
CORE DUTIES:
- Independently conduct a portion of the research project(s). Make recommendations on experimental design and/or research direction to principal investigator.
- Independently conduct complex (lab and/or field) experiments to gather data for a portion of a major research project.
- Interpret and analyze results, often where few guidelines exist, and make modifications to existing procedures and protocols.
- Develop new research protocols where appropriate protocols are not described in the literature or where modification or adaptation of standard procedures and protocols is required.
- Participate in multidisciplinary teams across different faculties or schools.
- Perform ongoing literature review to remain current with new procedures and related research; apply to ongoing research and development of new protocols.
- Contribute substantively to the preparation of papers for publication, especially in the results section, and to publication of findings. Present ongoing work to colleagues and/or academic conferences.
- Oversee supply and equipment budget under supervision of principal investigator or business manager.
- Work with health and safety department to ensure lab complies with regulations and all required trainings.
- Supervise (either formally or informally) staff or students as needed, including oversight and direction on techniques, as well as consultation on project work. Serve as a technical resource for other research staff.
- Oversee the daily activities of the laboratory including lab maintenance; maintain lab stock, manage chemical inventory and safety records, and provide general lab support as needed. May assist with purchasing laboratory equipment.
* Other duties may also be assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
● Bachelor's degree in related scientific field and two years of relevant work experience; or Master’s degree in a related scientific field.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Comprehensive understanding of scientific principles.
- General computer skills and ability to quickly learn and master computer programs, databases, and scientific applications.
- Strong analytical skills and excellent judgment.
- Ability to maintain detailed records of experiments and outcomes.
- Ability to work under deadlines with general guidance is essential.
- Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to accurately complete detailed work.
In addition, preferred requirements include:
- Laboratory techniques such as immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization
- Knowledge of animal behavior processing platforms such as DeepLabCut
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- May require working in close proximity to blood borne pathogens.
- May require work in an environment where animals are used for teaching and research.
- Position may at times require the employee to work with or be in areas where hazardous materials and/or infectious diseases are present.
- Employee must perform tasks that require the use of personal protective equipment, such as safety glasses and shoes, protective clothing and gloves, and possibly a respirator.
- May require extended or unusual work hours based on research requirements and business needs.
Why Stanford is for You
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