Lab Assistant 2

LAB AST 2 (009603)

UCPath Position ID: MI-DPT087500-JC009603-PD232367

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

5/12/2025 8:51:44 PM

Date Last Edited:

5/12/2025 8:51:39 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

11/25/2024

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1300O

Organization:

LETTERS AND SCIENCE

Division Code:

1330D

Division:

L&S LIFE SCIENCES

Department:

087500 - PSYCHOLOGY

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

MI-DPT087500-JC009603-PD232367

Position Description ID

232367

UC Payroll Title:

LAB AST 2 (009603)

Business Title:

Lab Assistant 2

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

STEPS

Job Code FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

TX: Technical

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40045073

Reports to Payroll Title:

Assistant Professor

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40041384

Department Head Payroll Title:

Department Chair

CLOSE SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent is assigned duties according to specific procedures. Work is checked frequently, and in addition there may be formal training.

POSITION SUMMARY

The lab assistant will provide research support for behavioral and electrophysiological studies of rodent decision making, and oversee general lab operations of the Wikenheiser laboratory. Responsibilities include assisting with routine animal care tasks, experimental data collection, and data analysis. Additionally, the lab assistant will supervise undergraduate research assistants within the lab. 

The UCLA Department of Psychology is an exceptional department known for its excellence in research, teaching, and service. With a distinguished faculty comprising more than 60 ladder rank members, it is one of the nation's top psychology departments. Its undergraduate program is the largest within the Division of Life Sciences and the UCLA College, with more than 4,700 undergraduate students enrolled across three majors: Psychology, Psychobiology, and Cognitive Science. The department also offers a comprehensive Ph.D. program with eight areas of study to approximately 200 enrolled graduate students.

Performance of Laboratory Procedures

A1. Work alongside the Principal investigator and other lab members to assist them with experiments involving behavioral testing experiments on rats. This involves routine tasks that include putting animals in and out of behavioral testing chambers or mazes, attaching neural recording devices, and processing data using Matlab, Python, and other software packages.

A2. Under the direction and immediate supervision of the Principal investigator, fabricate neural recording devices and other experimental equipment following a provided protocol.

A3. With immediate supervision, assist the Principal investigator with prescribed behavioral neuroscience tasks following a provided detailed protocol.

A4. Assist the Principal investigator with routine histological processing of tissue post-experimental based on specific, detailed, pre-established protocols.

50%

Animal Care

B1. Assist Principal investigator with animal care, including feeding and weighing rodents and recording information, and with routine post-operative care following stereotaxic surgery.

20%

Laboratory Maintenance

C1. Assist in the organization and upkeep of laboratory supplies, workspace, and equipment in line with standards dictated by the Principal investigator.

C2. Maintain established laboratory and biosafety safety and inspection records and protocols following templates provided by senior lab members.

C3. Regular examination of laboratory equipment and shared resources and reporting of any issues outline in template to PI.

C4. Carry out routine lab caretaking tasks such as preparing solutions, washing glassware and maintaining lab cleanliness.

20%

Regulatory Compliance

D1. Assist PI with research lab compliance with all Animal Research Committee (ARC) as well as associated regulatory requirements following established templates and protocols.

10%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree

in Behavioral Neuroscience or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experienced.

Required

At lease one year

of experience of handling and caring for rats in a behavioral neuroscience lab, including proficiency at common experimental procedures such as behavioral testing and IP injections.

Required

Experience and basic familiarity with in vivo electrophysiological techniques in awake, behaving rats.

Required

Experience in designing and validating rodent tasks modelling human mental illnesses, such as obsessive compulsive disorder.

Required

Experience working in laboratory research settings.

Required

Proficiency in using Matlab and Python programming languages for computational analysis of behavioral and electrophysiological data.

Required

General awareness of, or willingness to learn animal, lab, and biosafety regulatory procedures.

Required

Excellent organization and communication skills that convey sensitivity, empathy, and respect for other lab personnel.

Required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

Franz hall, B366

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

Bending/Stooping

X

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 1: Position in which required tasks routinely involve a potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids or tissues, potential spills, and splashes. Use of appropriate measures is required for every employee in this position.