The Mello (Dept. Behavioral Neuroscience) and von Gersdorff (Vollum) labs have close collaborative projects (funded by the NIH and NSF) to study the neurobiology of vocal learning, using as model organism the zebra finch, a songbird species. We use a combination of molecular, neuroanatomical, behavioral, electrophysiological and computational approaches to understand how the specialized vocal control brain circuitry enables male zebra finches to produce complex learned songs. We also study how these birds learn their vocal-motor patterns guided by auditory feedback, similar to how infants acquire speech and language skills.

We are recruiting an entry-level RA to assist with zebra finch colony husbandry tasks, song recording and analysis, basic histological and molecular biology tasks, viral injections of zebra finch brains, post-recording brain slice processing for cell morphometry and imaging, as well as general laboratory management.

• Manage husbandry of the zebra finch colony during breeding, post-surgical and/or custom diet protocols.
• Help record and analyze zebra finch songs from normal and experimental birds.
• Perform support histological tissue processing and basic molecular biology tasks, including brain cryosectioning, staining, and probe synthesis and processing for in situ hybridization.
• Assist with viral preps and stereotaxic viral injections of zebra finch brains.
• General laboratory management including handling of purchases and inventories.
• Assist other lab members in performing experiments and troubleshooting,
  attend lab meetings and present data, other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field; OR

• Associate's AND 3 years of relevant experience; OR

• 4 years of relevant experience; OR

• Equivalent combination of training and experience.

• Bachelor's Degree in Neuroscience, Molecular Biology or Cell Biology.

• Undergraduate research experience in areas like neuroscience, molecular biology, molecular genetics.

• Computer and data management skills.
• Attention to detail, strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to multitask and follow direction.
• Animal handling skills.
• Experience with histology, including tissue cryosectioning and staining.
• Experience with basic molecular tasks (plasmid preps, PCR, agarose gels, etc).

Work is 40 hours per week, normal working hours; some evening and weekend work may be necessary on occasion.

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