Job Duties:
The laboratory technician will conduct research on the behavioral, neural, and physiological basis of obesity. They will be involved in the daily operations of the laboratory, and after training, expected to independently perform a variety of standardized tests and routine procedures, all of which are covered by established methods, procedures, and techniques. The technician will learn to recognize and help solve problems that develop in the laboratory.

90% Primary Duties
â¢Conduct animal (rat and mouse) behavioral testing, including, but not limited to: metabolic phenotyping (i.e., energy expenditure), food intake and preference measurements, and cognitive and anxiety testing.
â¢Inject various compounds and solutions into experimental animals.
â¢Assist with surgery and perfusions on experimental animals.
â¢Collect tissue and fluid samples (e.g., body fat, brain tissue, blood) from experimental animals; store and analyze the tissue (e.g, ESLISA kits, PCR, immunohistochemistry, estrous classification).
â¢Prepare buffers, reagents, and other solutions and test for pH.
â¢Keep meticulously detailed records of all experiments and procedures in a laboratory notebook; perform statistical analyses of data obtained from experiments and render interpretations of the data.

10% General Responsibilities
â¢Keep the laboratory stocked, maintain inventories of supplies and order items as necessary.
â¢Properly handle hazardous materials and dispose of all waste materials in an appropriate manner. Maintain chemical inventories and read and maintain appropriate Material Data Sheets and safety files.
â¢Adjust, calibrate, and perform minor repairs on equipment used in the laboratory.
â¢Become familiar with the assigned literature, attend weekly lab meetings, participate in laboratory journal clubs, and report regularly on progress.

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials

Required Qualifications:
⢠A Bachelorâ™s Degree in relevant scientific fields (neuroscience, physiology, nutrition, psychology) or a combination of related education and work experience to equal four years. 
⢠Previous Laboratory experience
⢠Knowledge of the basic principles of biological science is required to assess observations, prepare specimens, run a variety of biological assays, interpret the results of standardized tests, etc. 
â¢Sufficient knowledge of mathematics and statistics is required to analyze and interpret test results. Knowledge and skill sufficient to maintain and operate standard instruments (fluorescence microscopes, pH meters, etc).

Preferred Qualifications:
⢠Must possess or be able to readily obtain certification to perform animal studies and procedures.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

Connections working at University of Minnesota Twin Cities