Technical Associate I, Graybiel Lab

Working at MIT offers opportunities, an environment, a culture – and benefits – that just aren’t found together anywhere else. If you’re curious, motivated, want to be part of a unique community, and help shape the future – then take a look at this opportunity.

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TECHNICAL ASSOCIATE I, McGovern Institute for Brain Research-Graybiel Lab, to assist in ground-breaking, clinically relevant, neuroscience research focusing on the neural mechanisms of decision-making, motivation, and learning in relation to mood-related disorders, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease. Will work closely with a small collaborative team of research scientists, postdoctoral fellows, support staff, and graduate and undergraduate students in a world-established neuroscience lab. Primary responsibilities will include the daily care and maintenance of NHPs (non-human primates, monitoring their health status, maintaining close communication with institutional animal care and veterinary staff, preparing for various procedures and maintaining lab supplies and materials; and assist with training on behavioral tasks, collecting behavioral data, and preparing hazardous material protocols.

The lab’s research offers broad opportunities for personal development and participation in experiments using state-of-the-art methods, including chronic electrophysiology with multiple electrodes, acute electrophysiology with single- and multi-channel probes, fast-scan cyclic voltammetry for dopamine monitoring, electrical microstimulation protocols, various methods for manipulating neural activity, and MRI. Training on basic computer programming and data analysis methodologies will be provided, as will opportunities for potential contribution to manuscripts and presentations directly related to the NHP work.

Job Requirements
REQUIRED: bachelor’s in neuroscience, biology, psychology or related field; at least two years’ related experience, preferably in animal research/care; strong organizational, interpersonal, and leadership skills; and ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment. PREFERRED: knowledge of behavioral and electrophysiological experimental procedures, computational skills, and experience working with NHPs. Job #20548