Research Assistant – Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics

About the role

The Research Assistant in the Wang Lab at Texas A&M Health supports the Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics. The position provides skilled, administrative, and technical assistance across multiple phases of projects investigating neural mechanisms of substance use disorders, cognitive flexibility, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Key responsibilities

• Assist in the design, planning, and coordination of experiments supporting various research projects.
• Perform rodent behavioral experiments such as operant self‑administration, extinction, reinstatement, novel object recognition, and Barnes maze.
• Conduct stereotaxic procedures, viral‑vector delivery, and in‑vivo neural recording or manipulation under approved protocols.
• Carry out tissue collection, brain sectioning, immunohistochemistry, microscopy, and verification of experimental targeting.
• Organize, analyze, graph, and document behavioral, imaging, electrophysiological, or other neuroscience data while maintaining accurate laboratory and animal‑study records.
• Assist in preparing grant proposals, maintaining financial accounts, and generating reports, invoices, and cataloging records.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (required); Master’s degree in neuroscience, biology, psychology, biomedical sciences, or related field (preferred).
• Experience working with mice or rats in behavioral neuroscience research.
• Familiarity with techniques such as operant behavior, stereotaxic surgery, viral‑vector delivery, histology, microscopy, electrophysiology, or in‑vivo neural imaging.
• Proficiency in quantitative data analysis using software such as GraphPad Prism, MATLAB, Python, R, or equivalent tools.
• Strong organizational, communication, and scientific writing skills; ability to work cooperatively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Record of co‑authored peer‑reviewed publications, preprints, or conference presentations.

Required skills

• Operant behavior
• Stereotaxic surgery
• Viral‑vector delivery
• Histology
• Microscopy
• Electrophysiology
• In‑vivo neural imaging
• GraphPad Prism
• MATLAB
• Python
• R

What we offer

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, flexible spending accounts, and long‑term disability insurance with employer contributions.
• 12‑15 days of annual paid holidays, up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month.
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas and access to free exercise programs and wellness initiatives.
• Professional development opportunities including free LinkedIn Learning training, conference support, tuition assistance, and educational release time.