Lab Technician - Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology - Virginia Commonwealth University

VirginiaCommonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medicalcenter located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’ssponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized forpatient care and education.

VirginiaCommonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action universityproviding access to education and employment without regard to race, color,religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status,genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ordisability.

The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology is actively seeking a Lab Technician to assist in the Lab of Dr. Damaj. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Behavioralstudies: Evaluate mice in different painstudies. Administer drugs orally, subcutaneously and i.p
• Reward and drinkingstudies: Alcohol, opiates and nicotine drinking studies and conditioned placepreference test in mice.  May have to come some week-ends. Use of thetwo-bottle choice test and vaping model in mice for reward studies. Measurespontaneous activity, light dark boxes, rotarod test and rectal temperature
• Data reduction, statistical analysis, graphicpresentation: Complete analysis of all experiments on a weeklybasis.  Have data ready to present at weekly meetings
• Generallaboratory maintenance, clerical and library work: Perform asinstructed without delay or error.  Order supplies and animals asneeded
• Performbehavioral work with rodents and study reward, dependence and pain by using invivo models
• Compileresults and report to supervisor

Required Qualifications: 

• Requireda B.S. in Chemistry or Biology or equivalent
• Required Previous research labexperience in a research lab setting (as student or employee) and general labskills (weighing, making solutions, etc.).
• Required experience with rodents andlab animals
• Musthave a demonstrated commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in pastexperiences or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knows how to administer drugs to rodent lab animals
• Knowledge in behavioral models of pain
• Willingness to learn and use behavioralmodels of reward and dependence
• Good communication skills

The School of Medicine continuously strives for our workplace and learningenvironment to reflect the demographic and social milieu of the communities we serve. Allqualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

VCU is committedto hiring veterans! VCU will include a veteran's period(s) of military servicein the calculation of their annual leave accrual rate. This may provideveterans with an increased leave accrual!

Thisis a restricted position with no set end date and continued employment isdependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.

ORP Eligible? No

University Job Code: 34054N

Salary Range: $38,000-$42,000

Position Details:

Department: Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology
Employment Type: UF - University Employee FT
Restricted Status: Yes
FTE: 100
Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Contact Information:

Contact Name: Noah Craig

Contact Email: Noah.craig1@vcuhealth.org

Contact Phone: