HS/Associate Scientist 1 at University of New Mexico – Albuquerque, New Mexico

Requisition ID: req35769

Working Title:
HS/Associate Scientist 1

Position Grade:
12

Position Summary:
Funding available through 8/31/2026; continuance beyond that date is subject to the Department's operational needs as outlined in UBPPM #3200, Employee Classifications, Click here.

The Department of Neurosciences seeks an HS Associate Scientist 1 to work within a neurosciences research lab focused on the neurobiological mechanisms of drug and alcohol use/exposure.

The HS Associate Scientist 1 participates in the planning, development, and implementation of laboratory, clinical, and/or field research within a health science specialization. Designs and executes standard research studies within a narrowly-specified component of an integrated study. Analyzes, evaluates, and interprets data, and contributes as appropriate to the development of summary reports, presentations, and manuscripts associated with research findings.

This is a full-time, benefits eligible position.

The University of New Mexico (UNM) provides a diversified package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs. For a more complete explanation of the benefits, Click here.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborates with and assists investigators or staff scientists in the planning, development, and implementation of laboratory, clinical, and/or field research studies.

• Designs and independently executes standard research methods, protocols, and procedures.

• Analyses, evaluates, and interprets research data, and prepares summations and inferences for review by investigators.

• Contributes as appropriate to the development of summary reports, presentations, and manuscripts associated with original research findings.

• Provides professional guidance, leadership, and instruction to technical support staff and/or students engaged in specific project activities; may provide full supervision to technical support staff, as appropriate.

• Ensures proper care in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies; promotes continuous improvement of workplace safety and environmental practices.

• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Specific Technical Duties and Responsibilities Include:

• Setting up and performing alcohol exposure experiments in mice.

• Performing stereotaxic survival surgery in mice to implant neural electrodes and infuse viruses.

• Performing behavioral testing in mice while recording neurophysiology and conducting optogenetics.

• Collect and prepare brain tissue for ultrastructural transmission electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, slide scanning microscopy, or single nuclei sequencing.

• Performing histological sectioning and immunofluorescence histochemistry on mouse brain tissue.

• Performing confocal stereological analysis on histological sections.

• Compile and analyze data for publication and research presentations using the above-stated methodologies.

• Training undergraduate students, graduate students, postdocs, and staff how to perform the above-stated methodologies.

• Writing and submitting IACUC protocols

• Managing/ordering research supplies and research supplies budget.

See the Position Description for additional information.

Conditions of Employment:

• For individual positions in which driving is a job requirement, a valid NM driver's license and valid UNM driver's permit will be required.
• Successful candidate must submit to post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check.

Campus:
Health Sciences Center (HSC) - Albuquerque, NM

Benefits Eligble:
This is a benefits eligible position. The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs. See the Benefits home page for a more information.

Department:
Neurosciences (993A)

Employment Type:
Staff

Staff Type:
Term - Full-Time
Term End Date:
08/31/2026

Status:
Exempt

Pay:
Monthly: $3,844.53 - $5,399.33, DOE DOQ

Benefits Eligible:
This is a benefits eligible position. The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs. See the Benefits home page for a more information.

ERB Statement:
As a condition of employment, eligible employees working greater than .25 FTE as determined by the New Mexico Education Retirement Act must make mandatory retirement contributions. For more information, review the Benefits Eligibility at a Glance grid.

Background Check Required:
Yes
For Best Consideration Date:
2/25/2026

Application Instructions:
Only applications submitted throughthe official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this jobadvertisement on a 3rd party site, pleasevisit UNMJobs to submit an application.
Provide a resume and cover letter detailing your suitability for the advertised position.Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree; at least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications: • B.S. in Neuroscience and/or Developmental Biology with at least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Experience in:

• Working with and performing necropsies on laboratory animals, particularly mice and/or rats, is highly preferable.

• Experience with stereotaxic surgeries in rodents is highly preferable.

• Experience with cardiothoracic perfusions for tissue preservation.

• Biomedical laboratory research, including techniques such as tissue staining, RNA/DNA extraction and processing, PCR, electrophoresis, Immunofluorescence histochemistry, protein analysis (Western blots), and behavioral experiments.

• Handling and working with very small parts (e.g. building models/bead work).

• Compiling and organizing very large datasets.

• Monitoring laboratory equipment, chemical/supplies inventory, and purchasing.

• Making research presentations (i.e. a poster presentations) and drafting/publishing manuscripts and abstracts.

• Training staff on technical duties.