Research Technician

The role

Our research group studies how the brain controls behaviour, specifically cognition and emotional behaviour. The majority of our work involves carrying out behavioural experiments in laboratory mice and rats and testing the effects of different drug treatments or targeted manipulations of the brain. We have recently developed a new piece of equipment which enables the automated behavioural testing of rodents in tasks designed to replicate aspects of natural foraging. We have submitted a patent for this equipment and recently been awarded funding to test a prototype design. This role will provide technical support for the management of the animals involved in the experiments and performing the training and testing of the animals under supervision. There will also be some basic data analysis and roles associated with supporting the lab on a day-to-day basis. You will join a team of PDRAs, technicians and PhD students working on related projects with the overarching aim to identify new treatments for the symptoms of psychiatric disorders.

What will you be doing?

You will require a passion for animal welfare and excellent animal handling skills. The role will involve training and testing animals in behavioural tasks and a basic analysis of the data using customised templates. It may also include administering drugs to the animals using refined methods and under delegates authority. You will also provide support for the other members of the research team and will include some weekend and out of hours working.

You should apply if

You are an enthusiastic animal technician with excellent animal handling skills and are motivated to learn about behavioural methods. You have a willingness to learn new techniques and motivation to be part of a research team are essential.

Additional information

For informal enquiries please contact Professor Emma Robinson via email: pmesjr@bristol.ac.uk

Contract type: Fixed term until 28/03/2025

School/Unit: School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 03/10/2024

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

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