Optical Lab Assistant Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Open Date 09/22/2025 Requisition Number PRN43138B Job Title Lab Technician Working Title Lab Technician-Luo Lab Career Progression Track C Track Level FLSA Code Nonexempt Patient Sensitive Job Code? No Standard Hours per Week 40 Full Time or Part Time? Full Time Shift Day Work Schedule Summary VP Area Academic Affairs Department 00116 - School of Biological Sciences Location Campus City Salt Lake City, UT Type of Recruitment External Posting Pay Rate Range $19 - 21.63 Close Date 12/22/2026 Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time) Job Summary Responsibilities

• Handle and train rats on complex cognitive tasks.
• Design, build, and maintain custom behavioral rigs for rats, including integrating sensors, actuators, and control electronics.
• Use maker tools (e.g., CAD design and 3D printing) to prototype and refine rig components.
• Run daily behavioral sessions, meticulously collecting and organizing performance data.

• Assist with and, following training, independently perform stereotaxic survival surgeries to implant microelectrode arrays and optic fibers.
• Perform diligent post-operative care and monitoring to ensure animal welfare.

• Conduct in vivo electrophysiology recording sessions from multiple brain regions in behaving animals.
• Implement optogenetic protocols to precisely activate or inhibit neural populations during cognitive tasks.
• Troubleshoot experimental hardware and software setups.

• Assist with computational analysis by executing established data processing pipelines on newly collected datasets.
• Perform data quality control checks to ensure integrity before advanced analysis.
• Manage and curate large-scale neurophysiological and behavioral datasets, ensuring proper organization and documentation.
• Generate standardized figures and summary reports for lab meetings using existing scripts.

• Accomplish day-to-day care and housekeeping of the laboratory.
• Maintain the rodent colony in accordance with all institutional and federal animal care guidelines.
• Manage lab inventory, order supplies, and maintain equipment.
• Prepare sterile surgical tools, solutions, and reagents.
• Keep detailed and accurate experimental records in an electronic laboratory notebook.

Minimum Qualifications Preferences

• A Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience, Biology, Psychology, Bioengineering, or a closely related field. Two years of related work experience can be substituted for one year of education.
• OSHA training and certification in animal care and use or the willingness to complete the certification.
• Exceptional organizational skills, a high level of meticulousness, and strong problem-solving abilities.
• The ability to work independently after training as well as collaboratively within a team.
• Excellent communication skills and a strong desire to learn new techniques.
• Comfortable and willing to work with rodents.
• Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.
• Due to the training required for this role, a minimum of 2-year commitment to this lab is required.

Type Benefited Staff Special Instructions Summary Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah NonDiscrimination page.

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As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.