Primary Work Address: 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA, 20147
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The Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus is a pioneering research center in Ashburn, Virginia, where scientists pursue fundamental questions in the life sciences. Our integrated teams of biologists, computational scientists, and tool-builders innovate research practices and technologies to solve biology’s deepest mysteries. HHMI launched Janelia in 2006, establishing an intellectually enriching environment for scientists to do creative, collaborative, hands-on work. We share our methods, results, and tools with the scientific community.
The Liu lab is interested in understanding the cellular and circuit mechanisms underlying communication between the respiratory and nervous systems. We combine molecular, genetic, imaging, and whole-animal physiology approaches to investigate how internal states of the lungs are encoded by sensory neurons and downstream circuits and how these signals regulate physiology and behavior.
About the role
We are seeking a highly motivated and well-organized Research Technician to contribute to our research on lung–brain communication and support the lab's transition to a new institution.
The Research Technician will perform mouse surgeries, tissue staining and imaging, and molecular assays to investigate the anatomical and molecular properties of the pulmonary sensory circuit. In addition to experimental research, the Research Technician will help maintain laboratory records, organize research protocols and inventory, and track mouse colonies. These responsibilities will be particularly important during the lab's transition and establishment at a new institution.
The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on experience working with mice, excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and enthusiasm for learning new experimental techniques. Prior experience with animal surgery is highly preferred, while experience in histology, microscopy, or RNA in situ hybridization would be advantageous.
We are looking for someone interested in a long-term research staff position who is willing to relocate with the lab to a new institution within the next 1–2 years.
About Janelia
Janelia Research Campus is a pioneering research center in Ashburn, Virginia, where scientists pursue fundamental questions in biology. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) launched Janelia in 2006, establishing an intellectually distinctive environment for scientists to do creative, collaborative, hands-on work.
Our integrated teams of biologists, computational scientists, and tool-builders pursue scientific questions with the potential for transformative impact. We share our methods, results, and tools with the scientific community.
To learn more about Janelia, please visit https://www.hhmi.org/research/janelia .
What we provide
One-on-one mentoring and scientific training with the lab head.
Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and a highly collaborative research environment.
Opportunities to develop expertise in animal surgery, advanced molecular assays, imaging, and computational analysis.
Opportunities to interact with experts in neuroscience, cell biology, genetics, imaging, and computational biology.
Opportunities to contribute to the establishment and development of a research laboratory at a new institution.
Opportunities to attend scientific workshops and conferences.
What you'll do
Experimental research
Perform mouse surgeries for cell population targeting, physiological monitoring, and neural activity recording.
Perform tissue dissection, fixation, and immunostaining.
Conduct confocal and light-sheet microscopy and assist with image acquisition, organization, and analysis.
Learn, implement, and perform multiplexed fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to characterize gene expression in tissues.
Optimize experimental protocols, troubleshoot technical…