Research Staff Assistant in the Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute

Position Summary

Columbia University's Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute brings together world-class scientists across academic disciplines conducting pioneering research to transform our understanding of how the brain works and gives rise to mind and behavior.

The Institute fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment across 50+ labs, advancing insights into human health by exploring how the brain develops, performs, endures and recovers.

At the Zuckerman Institute, we are committed to becoming a more inclusive, equitable and diverse place of scientific discovery and support a culture of respect.

Promoting diversity in science will help drive the transformative science that can change the world.

Situated in the Jerome L. Greene Science Center on Columbia’s Manhattanville campus, the state-of-the-art building offers an environment where the highest level of scholarly scientific research takes place on a daily basis, with the benefit of being located in the heart of New York, one of the world’s most vibrant and culturally rich cities.

The laboratory of Dr. Richard Axel is seeking a Part-time Research Staff Assistant (Cephalopod Facility Technician) to assist in their cutting-edge aquatic facility, which houses up to 300 cuttlefish (cephalopods similar to octopuses).

The Axel lab is investigating the neural basis of cuttlefish camouflage by developing technologies (e.g. gene editing) in the dwarf cuttlefish and analyzing their dynamic camouflage behavior.

The Part-time Research Staff Assistant (Cephalopod Facility Technician) will work directly with the Cephalopod Facility Manager to maintain the cuttlefish facility and run a comprehensive breeding program.

Cuttlefish are extremely delicate and sensitive animals. We are therefore seeking highly motivated, reliable and organized individuals with great attention-to-detail.

This is a part-time position (all-day Tuesday, all-day Wednesday). There may be occasional opportunities to work overtime, including weekends, holidays and during inclement weather. 14 hours per week.

This is a part-time grant-funded position.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following :

• Carefully hand-feed live shrimp to
• Monitor water quality (e.g. pH, salinity and ammonia levels) for six aquatic systems.
• Clean debris from tanks and salt build-up.
• Maintain excellent records of animal age, location, breeding success and behavior.
• Perform additional related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Marine Science, or a related field. A combination of work and education can be substituted for a Bachelor’s degree.
• Experience maintaining fish tanks or other aquatic animals.
• Must be comfortable handling live animals.
• Extremely reliable and organized.
• Strong communication skills.
• The ability to work with accuracy and attention-to-detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of water chemistry (e.g. the nitrogen cycle).
• Experience working with aquatic filtration.
3 hours ago