Department

SSD Institute for Mind and Biology: Staff and Temporary Employees

About the Department

The Institute for Mind and Biology is comprised of twelve faculty Members from the Department of
Comparative Human Development and Psychology. In addition to their department appointments,
Members contribute significantly to the University's interdisciplinary approach to Neuroscience and
Committees on Computational Neuroscience, Evolutionary Biology, Integrative Neuroscience, and
Neurobiology. Members also collaborate with other faculty at UChicago in the Biological Sciences
Division and Division of the Social Sciences as well as colleagues from around the globe.
The London Lab investigates how the brain develops, with special focus on how early experience can
alter neural function and behavior. The London Lab applies molecular and genomic tools in
combination with behavioral manipulations to uncover biological processes that promote and limit the
ability to learn across development. The lab uses the zebra finch songbird as the model system because
there are life-long behavioral effects of developmental experience, but only when that experience occurs
during specific phases. Despite outward differences, zebra finches have strong genomic, molecular,
neural, developmental, social, and behavioral parallels with humans. As such, the lab’s research
strategy discoveres mechanisms that may also be involved in human speech acquisition and other
developmentally learned behaviors.

Job Summary

The job performs routine assignments related to scientific research projects. Ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates. Analyzes possible solutions using standard procedures. Writes articles, reports and manuscripts. Assists in drafting presentations on research findings.

The job facilitates and promotes a research project or contributes to the scientific direction of a research resource. Receives a moderate level of guidance and direction. This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance.

The London Lab is seeking an individual to fill the position of Research Professional, Sr. Analyst. The Sr. Analyst performs routine assignments related to scientific research projects. They ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates. They analyze possible solutions using standard procedures. They will rigorously test the connections between epigenomic regulation of molecular processes, learning, and behavioral outcomes of neural circuit function.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects that test neural mechanisms that promote and limit the ability to learn from juvenile experience, using behavior and molecular genomic data as functional readouts. Experiments will utilize a suite of molecular, epigenomic, genomic, in vivo, and behavioral methods, and consider a variety of processes.
• Serves as a resource for collecting data and performing analysis. Contributes to facilitating and promoting a research project by providing scientific or intellectual information.
• Reviews laboratory protocols and training on new techniques. Manage complex data sets for research.
• Leads the contributions to scientific writing and publications, including preparation of reports, manuscripts, protocols and grants.
• Trains new laboratory personnel.
• Maintains technical and administrative support for a research project in a neuroscience laboratory environment performing molecular and small animal laboratory techniques, research and analysis.
• Installs, sets up and performs experiments; interacting with students and other laboratory staff under the direction of the principal investigator.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications
 

Education:

• PhD in neuroscience, molecular biology, or related disciplines.

Experience:

• Postdoctoral training in neuroscience, molecular biology, or related disciplines.
• At least four years’ experience in the application of molecular biology, genomics and/or epigenomics, and next-generation sequencing methods to answer neuroscientific questions.
• Expertise in behavioral analysis, microscopy, genomics, anatomical methods, and/or physiology is a plus.
• Expertise with non-rodent systems in neuroethologically-relevant research questions.

Preferred Competencies

• Knowledge of regulatory policies and procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently on own projects and as part of a team.
• Familiarity with grant preparation.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to supervise and train others.
• Ability to critically evaluate data to optimize procedures and write papers.

Working Conditions

• The work will take place in a combination of wet lab, animal lab, and dry/computer lab spaces.
• Weekend or evening hours may be required to complete project timelines.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (required)
• References (required)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$52,020.00 - $67,320.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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