RESEARCH TECHNICIAN, III, PSYCHOLOGY & NEUROSCIENCE

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

THIS IS A FULLY FUNDED POSITION, RENEWABLE AFTER ONE YEAR

Occupational Summary

The Yin Lab, created by Dr. Henry Yin, studies neural circuits underlying the learning and generation of actions. The lab uses in vitro and in vivo electrophysiology, optogenetics, and quantitative analysis of behavior in rodents.

The Research Technician III (RTIII) will provide professional engineering services by performing a variety of technical duties involved in the design, fabrication, construction, alteration and testing of behavioral and neural equipment for the Yin lab, in support of research activities. The RTIII will also manage the corrective and preventive maintenance of said equipment.

Work Performed

• Design, fabricate, construct and test behavioral and neural recording setups used in neuroscience research. Design equipment that studies mouse behavior while measuring neural activity at the same time.

• Design, fabricate, construct and test multi-electrode arrays used in neuroscience research. Design equipment for stimulating the mouse brain in a closed-loop manner that’s contingent upon behavioral and neural measures.

• Perform routine maintenance on lab equipment and systems; troubleshoot problems and perform repair work as needed.

• Provide training, engineering assistance and consultation to Dr. Yin and the research staff, including new personnel on operating custom-made, specialized equipment. Maintain and demonstrate professional competency according to laboratory and departmental policies, procedures and protocols.

• Recommend and procure electrical, mechanical, biomedical, video and optical equipment appropriate for laboratory needs.

• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Preferences:

Five years of experience designing, building and testing equipment used in scientific research labs.

Experience with electronic circuit design, development and troubleshooting of analog, digital and electromechanical systems and devices.

Experience with MIG welding, TIG welding and metal fabrication of surgical instruments, scientific instruments, pneumatic and hydraulic devices, and systems used in neuroscience research.

Work generally requires skills acquired through the completion of a bachelor's degree in botany, biology, zoology, psychology or other science related scientific field program.

Work requires two years of research experience. A related master's OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OFRELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE degree may offset required years of experience on a 1:1 basis, e.g., a two year master's degree in lieu of two years of experience.

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Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.