Laboratory Assistant

Summary

The Magee Lab at Baylor College of Medicine seeks a Laboratory Assistant to support studies of the synaptic and circuit mechanisms underlying learning and memory in mouse cortex and hippocampus. The technician will contribute to experiments examining stabilization of active synapses during memory formation, with responsibilities spanning mouse behavioral training, optogenetic and chemogenetic manipulations, two-photon imaging, and histology. The role is well suited to a student seeking immersive research experience prior to graduate or medical school, and reports to the research faculty in the lab.

Job Duties

• Assists in  experiments: Trains mice on behavioral tasks; assists with preparation for stereotaxic viral injections, two-photon imaging, and optogenetic/chemogenetic manipulations under supervision.
• Collects data when trained: Organizes behavioral, imaging, and histology data; 
• Documents results: Maintains detailed electronic lab notebooks per BCM and IACUC standards.
• Applies routine techniques: Performs perfusions, immunohistochemistry, and fluorescence microscopy under supervision.
• Mouse colony support and equipment upkeep
• Daily mouse handling and behavioral training under IACUC protocols; assist with operation and routine maintenance of surgical suites and two-photon microscopes; brain tissue processing through to imaged slides; compliance with EHS, biosafety, and animal-use training.
• Perform other job related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED.
• Six months of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior wet-lab and rodent experience preferred; exposure to neuroscience methods (microscopy, behavior, histology, electrophysiology) a plus.
• Meticulous recordkeeping, strong initiative, and comfort handling live mice required.
• This role is structured around a project arc that typically spans approximately twelve months, reflecting the training time required for the lab's techniques and the timeline over which technicians contribute meaningfully to ongoing studies.