Summary

The NIH-funded translational neurogenetics laboratory of Dr. Hsiao-Tuan Chao at the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute affiliated with Texas Children’s Hospital is recruiting a motivated candidate to join a highly collaborative team to discover the genetic causes of childhood neurological disorders (epilepsy, autism, ADHD, and cognitive impairments) and identify therapeutic interventions for rare and common neurologic disorders. The laboratory focuses on understanding neural circuit development and function, and how dysregulation of these processes contributes to brain disorders such as intellectual disability, epilepsy, and autism. The lab is looking for a motivated research technician to assist with fruit fly and mouse studies involving molecular biology, neurohistology, and behavioral studies. The Research Technician II work independently and within a team to process samples and collect data. Research Technician be flexible and complete assigned tasks in a timely manner, be good at multi-tasking, problem-solving, attentive to details, and have strong communication skills. Flexibility with work schedule to occasionally work evenings or weekends. This is an onsite job.

Job Duties

• Performs fruit fly and/or mouse colony maintenance.
• Performs routine technical laboratory and specialized procedures.
• Conducts behavioral studies and histology (rodent and/or fruit fly assays).
• Troubleshoots problematic results, maintains and operate equipment, maintain work area.
• Collects, processes, ships, and maintains paperwork for biological specimens.
• Collects, compiles, records, and analyzes data.
• Retrieves and submits test results to appropriate parties.
• Maintains databases, records, and regulatory documents for studies.
• Maintains and organizes inventory of supplies and equipment.
• Generates data reports to determine feasibility.
• Conducts literature searches and summarizes information.
• Attends and presents at group and individual meetings.
• Moves and lifts items that includes but not limited to mouse cages, fruit fly racks, prepares research samples for processing, prepares samples for shipment with dry ice, restocks laboratory supplies, and maintains laboratory equipment. Has the ability to lift 25 pounds 
• Walks up to 0.5 - 1.5 miles to on-site campus locations, that includes but not limited to Baylor College of Medicine facilities, Texas Children's Hospital complex, and other Texas Medical Center buildings for research samples, specialized equipment, research presentations, and data collection and analysis with specialized equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or related field. Four years of related experience may substitute for degree requirement.
• No experience required

Preferred Qualifications

• Laboratory experience handling mice (breeding, weaning, and maintaining lines, tail DNA prep) and/or fruit flies (maintaining lines, basic fly genetics).
• One year of work experience in a basic science research laboratory.
• Works independently and are good team players.
• Flexible with change, organized with good communication, attentive to details, comprehensive documentation, and be good multi-tasking skills.
• Proficient in Excel spreadsheets and basic statistical analyses.