Research Associate I – Electrophysiology

The mission of the Allen Institute is to unlock the complexities of bioscience and advance our knowledge to improve human health. Using an open science, multi-scale, team-oriented approach, the Allen Institute focuses on accelerating foundational research, developing standards and models, and cultivating new ideas to make a broad, transformational impact on science.

The mission of the Allen Institute for Brain Science is to accelerate the understanding of how the human brain works in health and disease. Using a big science approach, we generate useful public resources, drive technological and analytical advances, and discover fundamental brain properties through integration of experiments, modeling and theory.

This individual will join a larger team to generate high-quality patch-clamp electrophysiology data from mouse, macaque, and human brain slices. They will regularly perform experiments and optimize to maximize the efficiency and quality of data collection. The successful candidate will be a hard worker with attention to detail, willingness to lead smaller projects and excellent lab documentation.

The Allen Institute believes that team science significantly benefits from the participation of diverse voices, experiences and backgrounds. High-quality science can only be produced when it includes different perspectives. We are committed to increasing diversity across every team and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for this role.

Essential Functions

• Perform patch-clamp and patch-seq experiments from mouse, macaque and human brain slice preparations
• Apply established quality control (QC) criteria in all experimental designs
• Help develop new analytical criteria and insights from, both electrophysiological, molecular biology and imaging data
• Work within a busy core facility with tight deadlines
• Perform routine laboratory work including buffer preparation and tissue histology
• Troubleshoot experiment quality in real-time
• Maintain accurate laboratory documentation using established methods, which may include Microsoft Office, Microsoft Access, our custom Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Animal Tracking Database, and others
• Contribute to a cohesive and efficient team environment
• Contribute to and audit SOPs, as requested by departmental Manager/Director
• Other duties as assigned

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a Neuroscience or related field

Preferred Education and Experience

• 0-2 years’ experience in a laboratory or research environment
• Experience with IGOR, Python and/or R programming
• Previous patch-clamp experience is preferred

Work Environment

• Laboratory environment with possible exposure to chemical, biological, or other hazardous substances
• Possible exposure to BioSafety Level 2 organisms, such as recombinant viruses
• This may include wearing personnel protective equipment (PPE)
• Working with dry ice or liquid nitrogen

Physical Demands

• Occasional lifting up to 30 pounds
• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment, repetitive motion with lab equipment
• Push/pull up to 20 lbs
• Stooping, bending, crouching
• Reaching, or climbing ladders

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This is an essential job and expected to report for work regardless of weather and/or other conditions. The primary work location for this role is 615 Westlake Ave N., with flexibility to work remotely on a limited basis.
• Occasional evening and weekend hours required

Annualized Salary Range

• $53,450 - $65,450*

* Final salary depends on the required education for the role, experience, level of skills relevant to the role, and work location, where applicable.

Benefits

• Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.