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Research Assistant - Neurology

Washington University in St. Louis
Jeffrey T. Fort Neuroscience Research Building, United States, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 28 Jul 2026
💰 $58,000/yr($34,000/yr$58,000/yr)

About the role

Location

SAINT LOUIS, MO 63110

Scheduled Hours

40

Position Summary

The Orr Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant to support an active translational neuroscience research program focused on brain aging, Alzheimer's disease, tau biology, and cellular senescence. The successful candidate will provide technical and organizational support for laboratory operations while assisting with experiments involving cell culture, molecular biology, spatial biology, and animal studies. This position is ideal for an individual seeking hands-on research experience in an academic laboratory.

Assists with research study, experiments, preparation of material, and documentation.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Conducts research studies, experiments and surveys.
  • Prepares reagents, media, buffers, and laboratory solutions.
  • Performs routine molecular biology techniques including PCR, Western blotting, immunostaining, and protein/RNA extraction.
  • Assists with tissue processing, histology, immunohistochemistry, and microscopy.
  • May assist with mammalian cell cultures, including neuronal and iPSC-derived cell models.
  • May assist with rodent colony maintenance, genotyping, tissue collection, and basic animal procedures, as appropriate.
  • Organizes biological samples and maintain laboratory inventories, and databases.
  • Evaluates research results, reports findings and discusses project outcomes with staff involved.
  • Performs data entry and maintains data files on research.
  • Prepares findings and draft interpretive reports/ summaries for publications.
  • Complies with established safety procedures and maintains required documentation on laboratory and specimen conditions.
  • Coordinates research project with other institutions and investigators.
  • Participates in developing hypotheses to be tested and ways of testing it.
  • Assists with general supply/equipment orders, lab maintenance and cleaning.
  • Supports multiple research projects across the laboratory as needed.

Working Conditions:

  • Works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards.
  • Must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.


Certifications/Professional Licenses:

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.


Work Experience:

Laboratory Operations (2 Years)


Skills:

Not Applicable


Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

WashU seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to perform duties in a manner consistent with our core mission and guiding principles.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.


Certifications/Professional Licenses:

No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.


Work Experience:

No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Skills:

Document Research, Laboratory Processes, Scientific Research

Grade

R07-H

Salary Range

$17.10 - $29.09 / Hourly

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our Ex