The Research Intern will be responsible for performing research related activities and assisting with laboratory maintenance within the University of Iowa Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.

This position will provide support by conducting neuroscience research related to mouse models of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, which includes administrative duties related to ordering lab and animal supplies, maintenance and organization of relevant protocols, and remaining in compliance with various standard operating procedures and requirements.  The position also includes performing behavioral, imaging and electrophysiology experiments, collecting and organizing data, and analyzing results.

It is expected that as the research intern gains experience with laboratory techniques and procedures, they will take on increased autonomy and collaboration with other laboratory members. They will also gradually increase the level of their scientific duties by adding experimental design and data analysis as well as preparation of materials for abstracts, reports, grant applications, and manuscripts.

Position Responsibilities

Research

• Perform research activities based upon protocols developed by other research staff or principal investigator of the research project.


• Read and review articles as directed and develop and maintain a working knowledge of the field and concepts pertaining to the project through familiarity with the scientific literature and attendance of internal and external meetings, seminars, workshops, and conferences when appropriate.


• As individual skills develop, search, compile, and critically evaluate scientific literature.

Conduct Experiments, Investigations, Evaluations

• Read and understand protocols; as individual skills develop, troubleshoot and propose modifications to existing protocols or develop new protocols with other researchers or principal investigator.

• Plan and perform experimental procedures assuring fidelity to protocols.


• Perform research activities related to the study of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.


• Perform mouse colony maintenance and husbandry and maintain associated documentation and records.


• Perform mouse handling and behavioral experiments.


• As individual skills develop, perform pharmacological agent and viral vector administration, tissue harvest and processing, and other non-surgical and surgical procedures.


• Carry out fiber photometry and/or electrophysiology experiments in collaboration with Blackwell laboratory

Collect, Analyze and Summarize Data; Prepare Reports; Contribute to Manuscripts, Publications

• Collect, record, organize, and as skills develop, analyze, data.


• Develop familiarity with basic spreadsheets and statistical concepts and software.


• Learn and implement animal monitoring software.


• Prepare figures and methods, bibliographies, and abstracts for use in posters, manuscripts, and grant application.


• Present results at lab meetings and other intra- and extra-mural meetings

Administrative and Project Management

• Assist with procurement of lab and animal supplies and materials.


• Organize and maintain protocols and administrative documents.


• With minimal help from PI, arrange and plan daily, weekly, and monthly activities to prepare for and perform experiments.


• Track progress of research projects and regularly communicate with PI both verbally and through regular written updates.

Facilities and Equipment Management

• Develop and monitor quality control testing of equipment as necessary.

• Assist in the preparation, calibration, and maintenance of laboratory and facility equipment.


• Adhere to safety and compliance guidelines.

Supervision/Staffing

• May train, provide directions, assignments, and feedback to other employees.

• A bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, psychology, , biomedical engineering or a related biological science field or discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience with animal handling and husbandry


• Experience with data entry and analysis.


• Ability to work well both independently and in a team setting.


• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, and attention to detail


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Highly Desired Qualifications

• Experience with animal handling and husbandry, and particularly mouse colony maintenance and management is highly desired


• Experience with data analysis, statistics, programming.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience arranging and planning weekly to monthly activities to prepare for and perform experiments, efficiency, multi-tasking, and prioritization skills.


• Experience preparing materials for use in posters, manuscripts, and grant applications.


• Experience with rodent surgical techniques or brain tissue harvest