Research Assistant

Job Title

Research Assistant

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Psychology

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment    

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences.  Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.   

Who We Are

The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences is engaged in research that falls into all five graduate areas of specialization:  

• Behavioral and Cellular Neuroscience  

• Clinical Psychology  

• Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience Psychology  

• Industrial/Organizational Psychology 

• Social & Personality Psychology  

In addition to the Department of Psychological and Brain Science’s 5 areas of specialization, we have overlapping research interests that bridge traditional areas of psychology. These primary research themes include Affective Science; Diversity Science; Neuroscience; Personality and Individual Differences. To learn more please visit our site at https://liberalarts.tamu.edu/psychology/research/    

What We Want

The Research Assistant will be involved in research examining factors that influence tissue loss after neural injury. Responsibilities for the selected candidate will include assisting in animal surgery, behavioral testing, tissue collection, tissue preparation, and cellular assays (western blotting). In addition, the individual will need to enter and maintain data logs and assist trainees as needed. If the description sounds exciting to you, we invite you to apply to be considered for this opportunity to join our team.

What You Need to Know

Salary: Compensation will be commensurate based on the selected candidate's education and experience.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, niology, or related field

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Past experience with rodent surgeries, behavioral assessment, and tissue collection

• Ability to work with rodents

• Ability to multi-task and work in a collaborative research environment

• Good organizational skills

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Past experience with cellular assays (e.g., western blotting) and histology

• Research experience in the area of spinal cord injury

Responsibilities:

• Animal surgeries: Perform neural injuries using MASCIC Rodent Impactor, ovariectomies, and catheter implantations.

• Behavioral testing: Assess locomotor and cardiovascular function.

• Tissue collection: Collect blood and region of neural injury.

• Cellular assays/histology: Assist in the design, planning, and coordinating of research that examines factors that influence tissue loss after neural injury. Perform western blotting, tissue staining, and microscopy. Enter and maintain detailed data logs. Evaluate and summarize results

• Ordering: Catalog and order research supplies for surgery and cellular analyses. 

• Data entry: Use Excel and jamovi to perform data analysis and statistical analysis of research experiments and results.

Why Texas A&M University? 

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.  Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you.  Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes. 

• Health , dental , vision , life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

• 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

• Automatically enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas 

• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time

• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning  training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more 

• Employee Tuition Assistance and Educational Release time   for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.