We are seeking a Sr. Research Specialist who will utilize their knowledge and skills gained through education and significant research experience. The Sr. Research Specialist will be responsible for conducting behavioral and neurobiological experiments with animal models primarily in studies of aging and neuropsychiatric disorders, maintaining the research facilities, and organizing the various projects within the scope of the laboratory research programs.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform all aspects of experiments including, but not limited to, coordinating with members of the various laboratory programs, acquiring animals from collaborators and vendors, maintaining a colony of pathogen free animals, maintaining animal inventories, and monitoring their health status and environment, and maintaining an animal testing facility.
• Planning and scheduling experiments on various behavioral tasks, where duties related to behavioral testing include handling, and placing the animals in experimental chambers for experimental sessions.
• Data collection and analysis on behaviorally tested animals includes scoring of behavior from videotapes and the use of simple computer analysis programs, spreadsheets, and statistical/graphical software packages.
• Transfer of behavioral data to a central data management facility and providing the collaborators with the data from the experiments.
• Neuroanatomical and histological procedures include surgery, fixation, dissection, slicing, and staining brain material from laboratory animals. Responsible for the screening of data from said experiments, for experimenter error and/or tracking error before supplying data to other personnel and collaborators and thorough record keeping.
• Responsible for instructing the laboratory personnel on various laboratory protocols and procedures as well as training students, staff, and scientists on various methods. These may include animal perfusion and histology such as brain slicing and immunohistochemistry, appropriate cleaning of glassware, preparation of stock solutions and buffers according to standard protocols.
• Assists in hiring and training and supervising undergraduate researchers, including organizing and scheduling experiments.
• Instruct lab personnel in the use of various computer software packages and computer interfaces.
• Maintains the computer automated animal behavioral testing facilities, including consultation for usage, software and/or hardware modifications and/or upgrades.  Ensures that computers and other behavioral testing equipment are operating correctly, and that data are being appropriately and accurately compiled for analysis.
• Responsible for maintaining a clean and safe lab space. This includes cleaning and maintaining experimental rooms and equipment; proper labeling of new supplies/materials and proper disposal of chemicals and other waste.
• Remains up to date on training and safety requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Ability independently run Morris water maze and radial arm maze tasks.
• Exceptional organizational and analytical skills, with careful attention to detail.
• Able to organize and prioritize work and follow through on assignments.
• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to work independently with little or no supervision.
• Ability to follow protocols, policies and procedures and respond appropriately when presented with novel situations.
• Proficiency in the use of software applications, spreadsheets, and word processing, in both Macintosh and PC computers, is required.
• Ability to work with a diverse research staff and with confidential materials.

• Bachelor's Degree in biology, chemistry or related field.
• Four years laboratory experience performing relevant techniques.
• Master's degree, with related graduate research, may substitute for experience to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Working knowledge of one or more of the following disciplines achieved through coursework and laboratory experience: behavioral psychology, biology, biochemistry, neuroscience and/or genetics.
• Laboratory experience with methods identified under primary research duties and/or techniques and familiarity with some of listed equipment.
• Knowledge of other rodent learning and memory behavioral tasks (and associated equipment such as HVS-Image Tracking system, Med-pc and Colbourn behavioral testing apparatus), surgical and histological skills, immunohistochemistry, microscopy, imaging/scanning, windows-based and Macintosh computers (for automated behavioral testing, data analysis, and general lab work).

Classified Title: Research Specialist 
Working Title: ​​​​​​​Sr. Research Specialist   
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/MC  
Starting Salary Range: $23.88-$32.87-$41.87 HRLY (Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm 
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt 
Location: ​​​​​​​Homewood Campus 
Department name: ​​​​​​​Psychological and Brain Sciences  
Personnel area: School of Arts & Sciences 

Total Rewards
The referenced salary range is based on Johns Hopkins University's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/

Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines:

JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

**Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate's conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.

The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

EEO is the Law
Learn more:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf

Accommodation Information

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu.

Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional provisions may apply, depending on campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

Note: Job Postings are updated daily and remain online until filled.

About Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University remains committed to its founding principle, that education for all students should be grounded in exploration and discovery. Hopkins students are challenged not just to learn but also to advance learning itself. Critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and entrepreneurship are all encouraged and nourished in this unique educational environment. After more than 130 years, Johns Hopkins remains a world leader in both teaching and research. Faculty members and their research colleagues at the university's Applied Physics Laboratory have each year since 1979 won Johns Hopkins more federal research and development funding than any other university. The university has nine academic divisions and campuses throughout the Baltimore-Washington area. The Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, the Whiting School of Engineering, the School of Education and the Carey Business School are based at the Homewood campus in northern Baltimore. The schools of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing share a campus in east Baltimore with The Johns Hopkins Hospital. The Peabody Institute, a leading professional school of music, is located on Mount Vernon Place in downtown Bal...timore. The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies is located in Washington's Dupont Circle area.

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