Behavioral Biology Research Assistant

McLean Hospital is a comprehensive psychiatric hospital committed to providing easy access to superior quality, cost-effective mental health services in the Boston area, Massachusetts and beyond. Since 1811, McLean Hospital has been a world leader in the treatment of mental illness and chemical dependency, research into the cause of mental illness and the training of generations of mental health care providers. McLean's multidisciplinary programs treat a broad range of psychiatric illnesses across the full continuum of care.

Behavioral Biology Research Assistant

Job Description:

• This research assistant position is at McLean Hospital in Belmont Massachusetts and will involve performing behavioral pharmacology and neuroscience studies in laboratory animals. Responsibilities include conducting daily experiments in behavioral pharmacology and neuroscience using: a) cognitive assays to characterize how drugs and/or environmental stressors impact complex behavioral processes; b) neurochemical assays to determine how drugs and/or environmental stressors induce changes in brain neurotransmitters; and c) physiological assays to determine how drugs and/or environmental stressors alter biological activity.

• The successful applicant will have the opportunity to learn a variety of cognitive and behavioral assays, drug preparation and administration protocols, in vivo microdialysis techniques, and stereotaxic surgery skills. They will be responsible for analyzing data using computer-based statistics/graphics programs and prepare reports of results.

• In addition, the successful applicant will assist with maintaining the laboratory, including monitoring safety protocols, and assisting with maintenance of animal care and husbandry.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in behavioral neuroscience, pharmacology, or the biological sciences required.

• Previous experience working with laboratory animals is preferred but not required.