Research Fellow

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Woerman Lab (https://www.woermanlab.com) at UMass Amherst studies the role of protein misfolding in neurodegenerative disease. We are specifically focused on the proteins tau and a-synuclein, which cause Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, respectively. The lab is extramurally funded from several sources. We are recruiting a motivated research fellow to support research on these grants as an animal technician and lab manager. The successful candidate will be responsible for mouse colony maintenance and genotyping, as well as neurological exams on experimental animals, and laboratory management, which will include overseeing undergraduate lab assistants. In additional to providing organizational and laboratory support, the research fellow will aid other lab members in immunohistochemistry analysis of experimental samples. There will also be opportunities for the research fellow to work independently on their own research project. The selected candidate must exhibit exceptional organization and communication skills, as well as the ability to work well with a team. One year initial appointment with reappointment contingent upon performance and funding availability.

Essential Functions

Examples of duties:

• Oversee mouse colony maintenance and genotyping and perform neurological assessments on experimental animals.
• Assist lab members with aseptic survival surgeries and tissue collection
• Aid in processing, embedding, and cutting formalin-fixed tissue.
• Maintain lab inventory and order research supplies, as well as maintain lab equipment
• Contribute to data collection, analysis, and publications on completed research in cooperation with other lab members.
• Managing undergraduate lab assistants with data input and lab maintenance (i.e., dishes, autoclaving, stocking, etc.).
• Actively collaborate and support other team members.

Other Functions

• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.
• The successful candidate may also have the opportunity to perform wet lab research in addition.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• BA/BS in neuroscience, immunology, cell biology, or a related field
• At least 2-3 years relevant lab experience using the techniques or methods required for the position.
• Rodent handling experience.
• Familiarity with common laboratory techniques and equipment.
• Ability to maintain a well-organized laboratory notebook.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with a team, in addition to being a motivated individual capable of independent problem solving.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Experience working in a BSL-2 laboratory
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a breeding colony of transgenic mice and coordinate genotyping
• Excellent oral and written communication, organizational, and record-keeping skills
• Enthusiasm and scientific curiosity for neurodegenerative disease research

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

This position requires working in a BSL-2 and ABSL-2 laboratory.

Work Schedule

40 hours per week with a flexible schedule.

Additional Information

This is a one year, renewable appointment depending on funding and performance.

Salary Information

Salary commensurate with experience.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit letter of application, CV and contact information for three references.

As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community, CNS seeks an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations. ()

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.