Behavioral Research Assistant Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Research Assistant/Associate - Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Research Assistant/Associate - Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
Essential functions (job duties):
JOB PURPOSE
Under the direction of the Principal Investigator, provide scientific and technical assistance to complete laboratory based, clinical or population science research. May assist in writing research protocols and in manuscript preparation. Design and perform research protocols independently or as directed through training in more difficult or specialized procedures to meet the needs of the research protocol.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Perform laboratory based scientific techniques or clinical/population science (human subjects) research. Design and perform experiments, recruit participants for studies by developing surveys and interviewing candidates. Participate in implementing research objectives, ensuring compliance with all legal, regulatory and protocol guidelines. Assist staff with experiments/research protocols as required. Communicate with principal investigator and Postdoctoral scholars/fellows on the status of research.
Collect and log laboratory results, clinical outcomes and/or survey data. Evaluate and perform data analysis using graphs, charts or tables to highlight the key points of the research results collected in accordance with the research protocols as stipulated. Proofread and edit research data and documents to ensure accuracy.
Research Assistant:
Assist principal investigator with writing methods and summarizing/organizing data to be used in preparing and presenting presentations for professional, scientific and academic conferences and submittal to academic and scholarly peer-reviewed journals.
Research Associate:
Prepare and present presentations regarding research results for professional, scientific and academic conferences. Summarize and organize data results for submittal to academic and scholarly, peer-reviewed journals. Write scientific manuscripts and other documents for publication. Fact-check, proofread, and edit research documents to ensure accuracy.
Maintain the laboratory work areas including routine maintenance on laboratory equipment as required. Order and organize required research supplies and records. Maintain cleanliness and organization of work station.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Unique duties:
The major responsibility will be performing methamphetamine self-administration and other behavioral tests with laboratory rats. Performing assigned molecular biology techniques. Performing stereotaxic surgeries for AAV vector deliveries. Learning new techniques in a timely manner if required. Assisting the PI with lab managementOther responsibilities will include maintaining good safety practices in the lab, maintaining accurate records of research experiments in the lab notebook, communicating the progress of experiments and research results to the PI in a timely manner, maintaining a clean working environment, and assisting the PI in training new lab members.
Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree in a related field of study, preferred. Requires advanced knowledge predominantly intellectual in character in a field of science or learning acquired by a prolonged
course of specialized intellectual instruction.
Experience
Research Assistant:
Entry level (less that a year of job-related experience)
Experience performing basic research techniques or interacting with human subjects, preferred.
Research Associate:
Experienced (minimum 2 years of job-related experience)
Experience performing basic research techniques, preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Research Assistant:
Ability to work independently. Ability to analyze, summarize and interpret research findings and
data in reports and spreadsheets and communicate results. Knowledge of scientific integrity principles. Excellent time management and organization skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrated ability to work with others in a collaborative environment. Microsoft office software skills.
Research Associate:
Ability to work independently. Ability to analyze, summarize and interpret research findings in reports and communicate results. Knowledge of scientific integrity principles. Excellent time management and organization skills. Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work with others in a collaborative environment. Microsoft office software skills.
Preferred qualifications:
BSc or MSc in Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, or related discipline. Hands-on experience with measuring drug reward and reinforcement in rodents, particularly operant conditioning, is highly desired. The candidates with such experience will be considered first for the position. Hands-on experience in molecular biology techniques. Lab management experience. Motivation and the ability to learn quickly. Verbal and written communication skills. Ability to work independently. Ability to work flexible hours if needed. The ideal candidate will have a solid hands-on experience with tests measuring drug reward and reinforcement in rodents (operant conditioning tasks, instrumental learning tasks), as well as experience performing rodent brain stereotaxic surgeries.
School/College/Division:
H18 - Pharmacy & Health Science
Primary department:
H1822 - Pharmaceutical Sciences
Employment type:

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full Time
• Job category: Research

Funding/salary information:

• Compensation type: Annual Salary
• Salary minimum: TBD
• Salary hire maximum: TBD

Working conditions:
Typical work environment may include a laboratory and/ or office environment. May require working non-standard business hours including evenings and weekends. May be required to travel to scientific conferences.
Job openings:

• Number of openings: 1

Background check requirements:
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.