Part-Time Lab Assistant

The Natividad Lab is looking for an undergraduate or post-bachelor student interested in working as a part-time research assistant for the Spring 2023 semester (or longer, depending on interest). We are a neuroscience lab located in the BME building at UT Austin. We are interested in defining the changes which take place in the brain (on a behavioral and molecular level) during chronic alcohol exposure and subsequent withdrawal. We use rat models to understand cognitive behavioral phenotypes, and mass spectrometry to interrogate molecular changes underpinning these behavioral phenotypes. This data helps inform advances in the field of addiction, particularly alcohol use disorder.

This student should be a strong independent worker, organized with high attention to detail, reliable and responsive, curious, and excited to learn about addiction research! Interested students should contact Dr. Luis Natividad (Principal Investigator) or Abby Askins (Lab Technician) via email. Please send your major and current year in school, any relevant coursework or prior lab exposure (not required), and a brief description of your scientific interests and career aspirations. Applicants will be notified for interviews.

Qualifications:

While there are no formal qualifications for this position, we strongly consider applicants who:

• Are interested in and excited about our research
• Are planning on joining us for more than one semester (most assistants have worked with us for 2-3 years)
• Are neuroscience or related majors
• Work well in a collaborative environment
• Show initiative

Timeline:

• Weekly contribution for 1 semester (or more)

Contributions:

All lab members are expected to attend bi-weekly lab meetings and journal clubs. In lab, assistants can work in a variety of capacities:

• Animal behavior
• Data analysis
• Wet lab biological assays

Time commitment:

• 10-15 hours per week, average (flexible), spread over 3-5 days per week
• Possible weekend duties (minimal)