Department of Neuroscience and Medical Discovery Team on Optical Imaging and Brain Science, University of Minnesota, MN

We are seeking a Research Professional 2 for the Integrated Circuit Neuroscience labs (icnlabs.org), which are part of the Department of Neuroscience and the Medical Discovery Team on Optical Imaging and Brain Science at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. The labs are located at the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR), home to some of the most advanced MR instrumentation in the world. In addition, the Optical Imaging team has access to state-of-the-art single- and multiphoton instruments for cellular resolution calcium and voltage imaging in behaving animals. The multipopulation voltage imaging technique, developed by the principal investigators (see refs.: Kannan, Vasan et al., Nature Methods, 2018; Science, 2022) is uniquely poised to provide insights into the dynamics of genetically targeted neuron types in cortical and subcortical areas, during rodent behavior, at single-neuron, single-spike resolution.

Position Responsibilities

80% - Perform Laboratory Research
The candidate will work closely with the principal investigators to carry out high-throughput protein engineering and platform-based screening of genetically encoded indicators of neuronal activity (See refs.: Kannan, Vasan et al., Nature Methods, 2018; Science, 2022). They will participate in creating novel optogenetic/CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing tools to aid our investigations of brain function in health and disease with single-neuron, single-spike precision. The candidate will establish standard operating procedures to run our automated voltage-screening platform and participate in data curation and management. The approach aims to create ultrasensitive protein sensors for targeted voltage imaging in behaving mice. To this end, the candidate will also be involved in our animal colony maintenance and perform stereotaxic rodent surgeries such as intracranial viral vector injections.

20% - Laboratory Management and Upkeep
The candidate will contribute ~20% of their effort to lab management, including ordering supplies and training incoming personnel, under the advice of the PIs.

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials

Required Qualifications:
⢠A bachelorâ™s degree, with 2 years of laboratory experience, in molecular biology, neurobiology, or related fields, or biomedical engineering; or a combination of education and experience to equal 6 years.
⢠Experience with (a) molecular biology techniques such as PCR, site-directed mutagenesis, recombinant DNA cloning using Gibson assembly, (b) aseptic techniques involving eukaryotic cell culture (immortalized cell lines and primary neurons), plasmid DNA transfections, (c) biochemical techniques such as column-based protein purification, and/or (d) live cell fluorescence imaging/immunohistochemistry.
 

Preferred Qualifications:
⢠A masterâ™s degree with at least 2 years of academic research experience in molecular biology, neurobiology, or related fields, or biomedical engineering. 
⢠Prior experience with stereotaxic rodent surgeries and small animal imaging and/or histology is desired.
⢠Familiarity with DNA and protein bioinformatics tools and knowledge of programming languages, such as MATLAB, are a plus.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

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