Research Assistant Biology
Position Type: Federal Work Study And Non Work Study
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- The Storks Lab is hiring undergraduate student researchers to assist with a project examining how microplastic exposure affects olfactory neurophysiology in fish.
- Students will help investigate whether exposure to microplastics alters activation of olfactory sensory neurons in the olfactory epithelium of fathead minnows following exposure to ecologically relevant odorants.
- The project combines aquatic animal care, experimental exposures, tissue collection, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence microscopy, and image-based data analysis.
- Student researchers may assist with maintaining fish exposure conditions, refreshing water and microplastic treatments, preparing odorant exposures, collecting and processing tissue, cryosectioning, fluorescence immunohistochemistry, microscopy, image analysis using Fiji, data organization, and preparation of results for presentations or publications.
- This position is intended to provide hands-on training in experimental design, laboratory techniques, quantitative analysis, scientific communication, and collaborative research.
Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications:
- Applicants should be undergraduate students in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, neuroscience, environmental science, or a related field.
- Students must be reliable, detail-oriented, and willing to work carefully with live animals, laboratory chemicals, microscopy equipment, and biological tissues.
- Applicants should be able to follow written protocols, maintain organized records, work both independently and as part of a team, and commit to a consistent weekly schedule during the research period.
- Prior laboratory experience is helpful but not required.
- Students with interest in neuroscience, animal behavior, toxicology, microscopy, fish biology, environmental contamination, or undergraduate thesis research are especially encouraged to apply
Anticipated Schedule:
- Flexible during Monday-Friday 9-5 pm (Part time)
Job Contact:
- Levi Storks – (313) 993-1182 – storksle@udmercy.edu