Research Technician II, Neurology

Location

Type, TX | United States

Job description

Research Technician II – Department of Neurology , Whole Brain Microscopy Facility 

The Department of Neurology UT Southwestern Medical Center is a nationally recognized leader in the comprehensive management of neurological conditions. Our vibrant department comprises more than 75 full-time faculty in 12 subspecialty sections, supporting a spectrum of complex and innovative approaches to neurological care, a broad range of novel research programs, and a panoply of educational opportunities for trainees. The department offers access to the latest innovative treatments in one of the most rapidly advancing fields of medicine and features an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center and a Level-4 NEAC Epilepsy Center. Through collaborations with the O’Donnell Brain Institute, the department is building state-of-the art facilities for drug and device testing and bringing current and new faculty together for collaborative research on brain disease therapy.

Job Summary

A full-time Research Technician II position is available immediately in the Whole Brain Microscopy Facility (WBMF), a core facility in the Department of Neurology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. The goal of the WBMF is to enhance basic neuroscience and neurological disease research at UTSW by enabling high-throughput visualization of entire rodent brains at high resolution. The WBMF offers fee-for-service access to a number of unique microscopes, custom image analysis workflows, and standard histology services. We are seeking a candidate with interest and/or experience in both the microscopy and computational image processing aspects of the facility. A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required. Experience in microscopy, tissue clearing and/or automated image analysis is highly desirable. Applicant must be able to work independently and among a multidisciplinary team, display a high degree of initiative, and have excellent interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills.

Experience and Education

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor\’s degree with major coursework in field of assignment and no experience required. OR
• Two (2) years college with emphasis in coursework in field of assignment and two (2) years of laboratory experience at level of Laboratory Technical Assistant or equivalent. OR
• High school graduation or GED and four (4) years laboratory experience to include two (2) years at level of Laboratory Technical Assistant or equivalent. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Data acquisition and analysis from sophisticated microscopy systems, especially large volume images.
• Application of automated cluster computing workflows for large scale image analysis.
• Neuroscience coursework and/or laboratory experience, especially with rodent brain anatomy and histology.
• Tissue clearing and/or light sheet microscopy.

Primary Job Duties

• Computational image processing and analysis of serial two-photon fluorescent whole brain image volumes using open-source and commercial packages (ImageJ, lastik, Matlab, etc.) as part of a custom built existing pipeline (see Ramirez et al, 2019:
• Operation of TissueCyte 1000 serial two-photon microscopes and/or other volumetric imaging modalities (e.g. light sheet; Olympus Phase view Alpha3).
• Develop and implement methods for optical clearing of various tissues including mouse brain and spinal cord.
• Data backup and storage management via local servers and cloud-based systems.
• Utilize automated slide scanning microscopes to scan slides for clients, develop and implement quantitative methods for analysis of whole slide images, and conduct regular maintenance of this equipment.
• Training of new users on facility equipment (slide scanning microscopes).
• Coordinate new project requests and ongoing projects with individual investigators via online core facility management software (iLab).
• General laboratory procedures (buffer preparation, maintenance and cleaning of small equipment, cleaning laboratory glassware).

Other Duties

• Performs routine scientific and medical research work in science area such as biology, chemistry, physics, or other related scientific field.
• Assembles and/or operates various laboratory equipment and apparatus.
• Records research data in accordance with prescribed procedures, discussing results with supervisor.
• Assists in collection of data for project reports.
• Reads literature and confers with supervisor concerning implementation of new procedures. 
• May plan for, and provide working supervision to, work of laboratory personnel of lower grade engaged in limited phase of research project.
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

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This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information. UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status. To learn more, please visit: .

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