Junior Specialist - Alexander Laboratory, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences
The Alexander Laboratory within the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of California, Santa Barbara invites applications for an open, full-time Junior Specialist position, with an anticipated start date of September 1, 2023 or later. The salary is based on UCSB’s salary scales. The laboratory is looking for an exceptional individual with interest in the areas of behavioral and systems neuroscience. The Alexander laboratory examines the contribution of corticothalamic circuits to spatial cognition and episodic memory in health and disease. To these ends, the laboratory pairs sophisticated rodent behaviors with methods for observing neural activity (high-density electrophysiology and neuroimaging) and perturbing circuits. The Junior Specialist will engage in specialized research, professional activity, and University and/or public service. Specialists use their professional expertise to make scientific and scholarly contributions to the research enterprise of the University and to achieve recognition in the professional and scientific community.
The Junior Specialist will participate fully in neuroscience and behavior research focused on the neural circuits supporting spatial navigation and spatial memory. Specifically, this position involves assisting with study design and conducting rat and mouse behavioral experimentation involving goal-directed spatial navigation. The Junior Specialist will perform inactivation experiments as well as those involving one-photon neuroimaging or in vivo electrophysiology in freely moving rodents. Additionally, the Junior Specialist will assist with training undergraduate research assistants, data analysis, scientific communication at conferences, and manuscript preparation. The Junior Specialist will also aid with ordering, animal care, protocol administration, and day-to-day upkeep of laboratory facilities. Given that the laboratory is in the starting phase, the Junior Specialist should expect to contribute significantly to initial research projects.
The Alexander laboratory, and UCSB more broadly, are especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching, and service as appropriate to the position.
Department: https://psych.ucsb.edu/
Lab: https://andrewalexander.co/
QUALIFICATIONS
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Applicants must have completed or be currently enrolled in a BA or BS program in psychology, neuroscience, engineering or a related field at the time of application.
Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
Applicants must have their bachelors degree conferred by the start date of the position.
Preferred qualifications
Experience with rodent handling and behavioral training is preferred but not necessary. Experience with colony management is preferred but not necessary. Programming experience in Matlab or Python for data analysis is also preferred but not necessary.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Document requirements
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Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
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Cover Letter - 1 page or less briefly describing any related experiences and why the position is of interest to you.
Reference requirements
- 3 required (contact information only)
Applicants that are strongly considered will have their references contacted prior to selection for interview
Apply link: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF02565
Help contact: pamelawilks@ucsb.edu
CAMPUS INFORMATION
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
JOB LOCATION
Santa Barbara, CA
