Research Assistant, Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center

Georgetown University comprises two unique campuses in the nation’s capital. With the Hilltop Campus located in the heart of the historic Georgetown neighborhood, and the Capitol Campus, just minutes from the U.S. Capitol and U.S. Supreme Court, Georgetown University offers rigorous academic programs, a global perspective, and unparalleled opportunities to engage with Washington, D.C. Our community is a close-knit group of remarkable individuals driven by intellectual inquiry, a commitment to social justice, and a shared dedication to making a difference in the world.

Requirements

Job Overview

As a top academic health and science center in the United States, Georgetown University Medical Center seeks to provide, in a synergistic fashion, excellence in education — training physicians, nurses and other health care professionals, as well as biomedical scientists — and cutting-edge interdisciplinary research collaboration, enhancing our basic science and translational biomedical research capacity in order to improve human health. Emphasizing service, we are dedicated to the Catholic, Jesuit principle of cura personalis — “care of the whole person.” Our partnerships with organizations in the region strengthen our work and expand its reach. 

The Research Assistant (RA) will work in the department of Neuroscience, in the laboratory of Dr. Italo Mocchetti, located in the Research Building of Georgetown University Medical Center.  The position is replacing an existing RA position previously created to work on an animal model of neurological disorder.  The previous RA left to go to medical school.  The position is funded by a NIH grant.  The RA major role is to work on an animal study aimed at establishing the role of a receptor in brain function.  The RA is responsible for conducting experiments in mice that are genetically unique.  These experiments include behavioral studies (motor and cognitive) and analyses of brain sections for signs of neuronal abnormalities, using immunohistochemistry.  The RA is expected to conduct statistical analyses of data. Additional duties include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct animal studies on a daily basis

• perform histological examination of mouse brains, which requires sectioning of brains

• perform behavioral studies in mice and, in particular, examine impairment of motor activities

• data analysis, including applying statistical tests. 

Work Interactions

One of the goals of the Medical Center at GU is to find a cure for neurological disorders.  This entails the examination of brains of a mouse model of a neurodegenerative disease.  We have a project, currently supported by NIH, that require examination of brain. In particular, the research assistant must know how to handle mice; including carry out behavioral tests, and perform euthanasia at the end of the experiments, and be able to dissecting their brain areas.   This process is time consuming and requires skill and dedication.  Therefore, a full time RA is required for this project.  The RA reports to Dr. Mocchetti, Professor of Neuroscience and director of the Preclinical Neurobiology laboratory. 

Requirements and Qualifications

• Master degree in Neuroscience

• At least 6 months of experience with rodents are required

Work Mode Designation

This position has been designated as On-Campus. Please note that work mode designations are regularly reviewed in order to meet the evolving needs of the University.  Such review may necessitate a change to a position’s mode of work designation. Complete details about Georgetown University’s mode of work designations for staff and AAP positions can be found on the Department of Human Resources website: https://hr.georgetown.edu/mode-of-work-designation.

Pay Range:

The projected salary or hourly pay range for this position which represents the full range of anticipated compensation is:

$17.95 - $26.84

Compensation is determined by a number of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s individual qualifications, experience, education, skills, and certifications, as well as the University’s business needs and external factors.

Current Georgetown Employees:

If you currently work at Ge