The O'Shea Glia Engineering Lab within the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Boston University is seeking a research assistant to join our cutting-edge research program. In the O'Shea Glia Engineering Lab, we use bioengineering tools to regulate functions of glia to treat brain and spinal cord disorders. The person for this advertised position will perform a wide range of research duties that support the activities of several current PhD students to progress our research efforts forward. The individual will receive direct training and mentorship from the Principal Investigator, Timothy O'Shea, to enhance their professional and technical skills needed for a successful career in research. The fast paced, rigorous, fun, and supportive environment would be suitable for an individual who has recently completed their undergraduate training and who is looking for a research-based opportunity before pursuing graduate school. The candidate should have demonstrated some prior scientific laboratory experience and have an interest in conducting team-based research at the intersection of biomedical engineering and neuroscience.

Essential Duties of the Research Assistant:

• Participate in lab duties for maintaining shared lab space. 
• Cell culture - standard cell culture techniques for maintaining lines of mouse embryonic and neural progenitor cell lines, media preparation, cell expansion, cell passaging, and cell storage. 
• Cell characterization using molecular biology (qPCR) and protein assessment techniques (Western Blotting, immunocytochemistry), as well as imaging of fixed cell preparations. 
• Supporting PhD students with in vivo mouse brain and spinal cord injury experiments including surgery support, behavioral testing, and animal husbandry. 
• Help with analyzing mouse behavioral testing videos. • Help with processing mouse brain and spinal cord tissue immunohistochemistry (perfusions, cryosectioning, immunohistochemistry staining, and microscope imaging). 

Skills

• Knowledge and skills typically acquired by a BS degree in biomedical engineering, bioengineering, neuroscience, or related field.
• Wet lab, biological laboratory experience, experience with mammalian cell culture is essential and mice handling experience is preferred.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment, conduct independent experiments once trained, and ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines.
• Ability to manage work with minimal supervision.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; highly self-motivated.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to pay close attention to detail.
• Motivation to learn and grow in scientific expertise.
• Ability to trouble-shoot technical issues and to seek help when needed.
• Ability to plan and prioritize work while responding flexibly to rapidly changing priorities. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• BS degree in biomedical engineering, neuroscience, or related field. 
• Research experience in an academic wet lab setting. 
• Experience with mammalian cell cultures, mouse handling, histology, and microscopy.
• Ability to read scientific literature and adapt/design new protocols. 
• Ability to maintain accurate and detailed records and notes.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.