The O'Shea Glia Engineering Lab within the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Boston University is seeking a research assistant to join our cutting-edge research program. In the O'Shea Glia Engineering Lab, we use bioengineering tools to regulate functions of glia to treat brain and spinal cord disorders. The person for this advertised position will perform a wide range of research duties that support the activities of several current PhD students to progress our research efforts forward. The individual will receive direct training and mentorship from the Principal Investigator, Timothy O'Shea, to enhance their professional and technical skills needed for a successful career in research. The fast paced, rigorous, fun, and supportive environment would be suitable for an individual who has recently completed their undergraduate training and who is looking for a research-based opportunity before pursuing graduate school. The candidate should have demonstrated some prior scientific laboratory experience and have an interest in conducting team-based research at the intersection of biomedical engineering and neuroscience.

 

Essential Duties of the Research Assistant:

Participate in lab duties for maintaining shared lab space.  Cell culture - standard cell culture techniques for maintaining lines of mouse embryonic and neural progenitor cell lines, media preparation, cell expansion, cell passaging, and cell storage.  Cell characterization using molecular biology (qPCR) and protein assessment techniques (Western Blotting, immunocytochemistry), as well as imaging of fixed cell preparations.  Supporting PhD students with in vivo mouse brain and spinal cord injury experiments including surgery support, behavioral testing, and animal husbandry.  Help with analyzing mouse behavioral testing videos. • Help with processing mouse brain and spinal cord tissue immunohistochemistry (perfusions, cryosectioning, immunohistochemistry staining, and microscope imaging).