RESEARCH SCIENTIST/ENGINEER ASSISTANT - University of Washington

Req #: 241637 Department: NEUROBIOLOGY AND BIOPHYSICS Posting Date: 12/10/2024 Closing Info: Open Until Filled Salary: $3,990 - $4,200 per month Shift: First Shift Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academic-staff-20230701\_a11y.pdf) As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world. UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty. **The Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Scientist/Engineer Assistant to join their team.** The Research Scientist/Engineer-Assistant will work in a lab studying neural mechanisms of mechanosensation and motor control. The long-term goal of the lab's research is to understand how proprioceptive feedback contributes to adaptive motor behaviors. This position will assist the Principal Investigator and other researchers in investigating how mechanosensory neurons contribute to controlling dynamic behaviors, particularly walking. They will use optogenetic manipulations of specific neurons in behaving Drosophila while tracking 3D joint kinematics with the machine learning toolbox Anipose ( www.anipose.org ). **DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES** 60%: Experimental Procedures and Analysis + Maintain Drosophila stocks and perform genetic crosses. + Operate a behavioral imaging rig to record 3D walking kinematics of tethered, walking fruit flies. + Analyze 3D behavior kinematics using custom Python scripts.40%: Laboratory Maintenance and Collaboration + Prepare laboratory reagents, instruments and equipment for experiments. + Participate in lab meetings and planning sessions. + Collaborate with other lab members to build models for neural control of locomotion. **MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS** + Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, physics, math, computer science, or a related field and less than one year of relevant experience, OR Equivalent combination of education/experience. **Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.** **DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS** + Experience with general lab procedures. + Computer programming skills, including proficiency with Python. + Experience with animal behavior and systems neuroscience. **Application Process:** The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed. University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.