Lab Coordinator

The Krieger Mind/Brain Institute is seeking a Lab Coordinator who will work under the supervision of the Principal Investigator, and support neuroscience research projects involving neurophysiological and behavioral studies of spatial navigation and episodic memory in rodents.

Duties include ordering and maintaining lab supplies; setup for surgeries and assisting investigators during surgery; monitoring animal colony rooms for compliance with animal care protocols; maintaining drug, surgery, and animal log books; interact with veterinary staff as needed; preparing animal care protocols; preparing for animal care, lab safety, and controlled substance inspections; assisting in controlled substance registrations; maintaining biosafety registrations; communicating with facilities management regarding building issues; maintaining safe and clean lab environment (e.g., schedule cleanings by custodians, hazardous waste pickup, proper storage of chemicals, drug disposal, etc.); training and assisting postdoctoral, graduate and undergraduate students in conducting experiments, analyzing data, and using experimental equipment properly; assisting grant and manuscript preparations; maintaining and updating lab website; and ensuring that as new lab members come on board, they take the requisite health, animal care and safety courses prior to working in the lab.

Experiments typically involve surgical implantation of arrays of delicate microelectrodes or silicon probes to record neuronal firing in rats. The position requires fine motor skills. Our lab also uses optogenetic techniques to characterize cell activity by calcium imaging with miniscopes. An openness to learning and advancing the following technologies used in the lab is essential: fabrication of in-house recording apparatus with 3D printers; commercially available silicon probes; off-line behavioral characterization using deep learning software such as Deep Lab Cut, manual or automated characterization of neuronal data, histological approaches for improved visualization of recording sites or viral injections. Ability to implement new methods with supervision is essential.

Assistance during surgeries, behavioral training and in experiments involving neurophysiological recording will require at times a flexible work schedule.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Order lab supplies as necessary, pick up and unpack packages.
• Maintain surgical suite (check for expired items, return of equipment for calibration, etc.). Setup for surgeries (sterilize instruments, etc.) and assist during surgery.
• Maintain freezer and refrigerators in histology and animal rooms.
• Monitor main animal room and satellite animal facility for compliance with animal housing protocols.
• Keep drug, surgery, and animal log books up to date.
• Assist in rat care and handling of animals. Interact with veterinary staff as needed.
• Train and assist lab personnel in handling animals, conducting experiments, analysis of data, and the use of experimental equipment.
• Assist in grant preparation, progress reports, manuscript preparation, and drug license renewal.
• Update animal care and use protocols and assist in their renewal.
• Maintain safe and clean environment in lab and workshop (schedule cleanings by custodians, hazardous waste pickup, proper storage of chemicals, drug disposal, etc.)
• Communicate with facilities management regarding building issues.
• Keep lab website up to date.
• Prepare for lab safety, animal care, and controlled substance inspections by university offices and federal agencies.
• Set up weekly lab meetings in conference room.
• Assist in preparation for annual Society for Neuroscience meeting (poster preparation, etc.)
• Ensure that as new lab members come on board, they take the requisite health, animal care and safety courses prior to working in the lab.
• Perform tasks requiring standing or walking around for up to 2 hours, and lifting items weighing up to 25 lbs.

Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Demonstrated proficiency in windows-based word processing, internet, and spreadsheet.
• Ability to work independently, as a team member, and under direct supervision.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to follow protocols, policies and procedures and respond appropriately when presented with novel situations.

• High School Diploma or graduation equivalent and some college course working the Biological Sciences, with Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• One year of related laboratory experience.
• Additional education may substitute for experience to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Experience in data analysis with Python or Matlab and knowledge of statistics is desirable.

Classified Title: Laboratory Coordinator
Job Posting Title (Working Title):Lab Coordinator
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/02/CD
Starting Salary Range: $17.20 - $30.30 HRLY (Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday through Friday hours varies
Exempt Status:Non-Exempt
Location:Homewood Campus
Department name: Mind Brain Institute
Personnel area: School of Arts & Sciences