Animal Behavior Research Assistant Jobs in Virginia

The Connelly Laboratory at the University of Virginia is seeking a highly motivated, detail-oriented Laboratory Research Operations Assistant to join our interdisciplinary research team. This position is ideal for candidates interested in gaining hands-on experience at the intersection of molecular biology, neuroscience, and animal behavior. The Connelly Lab conducts cutting-edge research in translational neuroepigenetics, with a focus on how DNA methylation and gene regulation shape brain development, behavior, and health across the lifespan. Our work integrates molecular biology, genomics, imaging and animal models to understand how early-life experiences-particularly birth interventions-impact the oxytocin system in mothers and offspring. We are a well-funded, collaborative, and highly productive lab, offering opportunities for meaningful scientific contribution and professional development.

Position Overview The Laboratory Research Operations Assistant will work closely with Professor Jessica Connelly and lab members to support both research execution and laboratory operations. This role combines molecular biology, imaging, and animal behavior research, and lab management, making it ideal for candidates seeking a broad and immersive research experience. The successful candidate will play a key role in maintaining an active animal colony, generating molecular data, collecting imaging data and supporting experimental workflows, while also contributing to the overall functioning of a dynamic research environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and manage a small animal breeding colony, including daily husbandry
• Conduct and record behavioral observations and analyses
• Assist with small animal surgical procedures
• Perform tissue collection, processing, and biobanking
• Isolate and analyze DNA and RNA from tissues and cells
• Assist with cell culture and molecular biology workflows
• Assist with confocal and other imaging modalities, including neuroimaging
• Maintain accurate, detailed experimental records and ensure data quality
• Manage laboratory inventory, reagents, and supplies
• Ensure compliance with institutional animal care and safety protocols
• Train and supervise undergraduate research assistants
• Support general laboratory operations, including organization, maintenance, and workflow optimization
• Contribute to manuscripts, grant preparation, and scientific presentations
• Other duties as assigned

What We Offer

• Direct mentorship from the PI and senior scientists
• Opportunities for authorship on scientific publications
• Experience contributing to grant writing and experimental design
• Opportunities to present research at national and international conferences
• A collaborative, intellectually engaging lab environment

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• At least 1 year of laboratory experience (including undergraduate research); Bachelor's degree may substitute for experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a life science discipline
• Experience with rodent models and animal handling
• Background in animal behavior analysis
• Experience with dissection and/or small animal surgery
• Familiarity with DNA/RNA extraction, qPCR, or molecular biology techniques
• Experience with cell culture
• Experience with neuroimaging pipeline design and analysis

Salary range: $19.00-$21.50/hour (commensurate with experience) Physical Demands: This position can spend extensive periods of time standing and squatting while conducting experiments or caring for animals. Also requires keyboarding and other benchwork and animal procedures requiring fine finger manipulation. This is a restricted position; continuation is dependent on funding and satisfactory performance. This position is located in Charlottesville, Virginia. This is a full-time benefited position. For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit www.hr.virginia.edu/benefits . Visa sponsorship is not available for this role The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. A completed pre-employment health screen is required for this position prior to employment. Application Process: Please apply online, and search for R0082682. Internal applicants may search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website . Complete an application online with the following documents:

• CV/Resume
• Cover Letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all the required documents will not receive full consideration. This position is open until filled. References will be completed via UVA's standardized process SkillSurvey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process. A minimum of three are required. For information regarding the position or the application process, please contact Jessica Speth, Academic Recruiter, js9rk@virginia.edu. Job Profile J1882 - Laboratory Research Operations and Service 1 Career Stream and Level Operations and Service-O1 The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.