Lab Assistant
The University of California, San Diego
About this position
Position Description
The Department of Psychology (http://psychology.ucsd.edu/) consistently ranks among the top experimental psychology programs in the country. Currently there are 30 senate faculty, 5 adjunct professors, 5 research faculty, 25 staff and 65 graduate students. The department has over 50 active federal contracts/grants and gift funds. The annual expenditures total over $10 million across federal, state, and gift funds. Psychology faculty conduct research within four broad areas: Cognitive Psychology, Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, Developmental Psychology, and Social Psychology. The department has a strong tradition of interdisciplinary research at UCSD, and many faculty maintain collaborative relationships with campus units including Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, UCSD's Medical School, Rady School of Management, and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. Our forward-looking perspective and rich collaborative environment offers a unique opportunity for cutting-edge research that is changing the face of modern psychology. Under supervision, the Lab Assistant will be involved in research in the lab that is aimed at understanding the neural basis of natural behavior. Work in the lab combines studies of animal behavior with techniques for recording and quantifying neural activity in the brain. This position is for a person who will both be involved in managing the logistical aspects of the laboratory. The responsibilities of this position include overseeing the daily health and well being of two large (~200) animal colonies, coordinating all health care of both colonies with veterinarian staff, overseeing animal transfers within and between campuses, conducting behavioral experiments, training and managing undergraduate students, scheduling and performing surgeries and managing lab supplies. Those with experience in animal behavior and neuroscience, as well as working in high paced research laboratories, are well suited for this position. The nature of the work requires that the employee also be comfortable with wet lab and surgical techniques.
Qualifications
Minimum two years of research experience working in an animal laboratory. Experience programming in Matlab. Experience maintaining and generating a filing and record system. Two years of College-level coursework in psychology, or in a related area. Interpersonal skills including appropriate interview techniques, diplomacy and confidentiality. Excellent organizational, scheduling, and record keeping skills. Experience interacting effectively with co-workers as well as subjects. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.