Lab Assistant, Psychology at InsideHigherEd

Category:: ProfessionalSubscribe:: Department:: PsychologyLocations:: Binghamton, NYPosted:: Sep 17, 2025Closes:: Open Until FilledType:: Full-timeRef. No.:: xxxxxPosition ID:: 192913About Binghamton University:Binghamton University is a premier public R1 research institution in the State University of New York (SUNY) system that unites more than 130 broadly interdisciplinary educational programs with some of the most vibrant research in the nation. Our unique character - shaped by our mission, outstanding academics, facilities, and community life - promotes extraordinary student success, research, and service; Binghamton University is where our students, faculty and staff thrive.Working at Binghamton University is more than about having a great job - it is about having the opportunity to flourish in an exciting, engaging environment. Our faculty and staff appreciate Binghamton's collegial and inclusive culture and its commitment to excellence, education, innovation and civic engagement. Our diverse campus community contributes to our success.Binghamton merges rigorous academics, distinguished faculty who value cutting-edge, and community-engaged research, teaching and service, exceptional staff, and ultramodern facilities to engage and challenge its 18,000+ students. Our high-achieving student body represents diverse experiences from first-generation college-goers to international students. Beyond their talent, these classmates share a desire to shape the future through technology, insight, intellectual exploration, and community service.We are an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, and in keeping with this commitment, we welcome all to apply, including veterans and persons with disabilities.Job Description:Budget Title: Instructional Support Assistant (SL-1)Salary: $45,372 (full-time, temporary)The Manzano Lab, located at Binghamton University, is seeking a Lab Assistant to participate in conducting behavioral experiments probing circuit development in mice brains. Research will use mice to model neuronal development. These experiments will entail the creation, validation, and running of behavioral experiments on pre-adolescent, adolescent, and adult animals. The Lab Assistant will also have the opportunity to use novel imaging techniques to probe changes in neuronal processing as mice grow from adolescents into adults. Additionally, Lab Assistants will have the opportunity to get involved in the data analysis of behavioral and calcium imaging data. This would involve data processing and computational analysis, in Python or Matlab. Research will use mice to model neuronal development. For more information visit the Manzano Lab Website. This position has the possibility to be extended, based on available funding.Key ResponsibilitiesPerforming in vivo calcium imaging experiments aimed at understanding how neural circuits generate complex behaviors in pre-adolescent, adolescent, and adult micePerforming all aspects of experiment, including surgeries, behavioral assays, and histologyMaintaining the animal colonyProcessing calcium imaging data to extract calcium traces via software packagesAnalyzing and interpreting data - applying systems neuroscience approaches to examine high-dimensional neural data. Approaches used include neural network-based approaches, Bayesian inference, and moreAssisting with the oversight of day-to-day functions of the lab and shared lab spaces dedicated to running research studiesAssisting in lab management, organization, equipment maintenance, and maintaining a safe work environmentKnowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesAbility to solve problems creativelyWillingness to learn new skillsAbility to work in a teamQuantitative and critical thinking skillsBasic familiarity with biology and/or neuroscienceEffective oral and written communication skillsAbility to analyze data and present it in a format suitable for publicationEffective interpersonal and organizational skillsAbility to balance the demands of an immersive research project with basic lab managerial tasksAbility to work independently and collaborativelyAbility to adapt to the project's changing needsResearch interest in developmental neuroscience and/or systems neuroscience in rodent modelsThis is a fully in-person position that may provide opportunities to co-author presentations and publications. Therefore, it is an ideal position for candidates on the path to graduate school with interests in behavioral or circuit neuroscience research.The position could include some non-traditional hours as required by experimental timelines. Details will be defined on a case-by-case basis. However, the ability to work on a flexible schedule (evenings and weekends) to accommodate lab needs is an asset.This is a full-time temporary position for one year from the date of hire with the possibility of extension, contingent on performance and funding each 12 months. Flexible start-date before November 2025. Requirements:Bachelor's degree (or higher) in psychology, computer science, engineering, neuroscience, biology, mathematics, or related field, by November 1, 2025At least 6 months of full/part-time experience working in a research setting in developmental psychology, circuit neuroscience, computational analysis, engineering, or related field (This research experience does not need to be consecutive nor paid)Demonstrated quantitative and critical thinking skills (through coursework or research experience)Demonstrated basic familiarity with biology and/or neuroscience (through coursework or research experience)PreferredExperience in one or more of the following: Python, MATLAB, or RDemonstrated debugging skillsExperience with system neuroscience research using rodent modelsVisa sponsorship is not available for this positionAdditional Information:Offers of employment may be contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check and verification of degree(s) and credentials.Binghamton University is a tobacco-free campus.Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at [email protected] information can be found on our website https://www.binghamton.edu/offices/human-resources/payroll/Cover letters may be addressed "To the Search Committee."Postings active on the website, accept applications until closure.For information on the Dual Career Program, please visit:https://www.binghamton.edu/offices/human-resources/prospective/dual-career/index.htmlEqual Opportunity/Affirmative Action EmployerThe State University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is the policy of Binghamton University to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran or military service member status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or arrest and/or criminal conviction record unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.As required by Title IX and its implementing regulations Binghamton University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs and activities which it operates. This requirement extends to employment and admission. Inquiries about sex discrimination may be directed to the University Title IX Coordinator or directly to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). Contact information for the Title IX Coordinator and OCR, as well as the University's complete Non-Discrimination Notice may be found here.Binghamton University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact the ADA Coordinator by completing the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.Application Instructions:All applicants must apply via Interview Exchange: http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/candapply.jsp?JOBID=192913Deadline for Internal Applicants: October 1, 2025Deadline for External Applicants: Open until filledReview of applications will begin immediately and continue until the vacancy is filled.Please submit:Cover letter describing their research interests, skills and how they align with this position;Curriculum vitae (include your GPA and relevant course work on your resume); andContact information for three professional references (names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses)You may add additional files/documents after uploading your resume. After you fill out your contact information, you will be directed to the upload page. Please login to check/edit your profile or to upload additional documents: http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/login.jsp.