Research Assistant (Contractor) – Neuropsychopharmacology

Why RTI

RTI International is an independent, scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world's most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach—one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world’s most challenging problems.

We believe in the promise of science and technical solutions, and we push ourselves every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses in the US and around the world. If you are looking for the opportunity to make a real difference, RTI is the place for you.

About the Hiring Group

Discovery Sciences at RTI International conducts innovative research to better understand biological mechanisms underlying health and disease. Our research teams in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, conduct nonclinical and preclinical studies across a range of areas, including neuropsychopharmacology.

This position will support a neuropsychopharmacology laboratory focused on understanding the neural mechanisms underlying reward, stress, and pain . The Research Assistant will contribute to laboratory studies involving behavioral testing, pharmacological interventions, neural activity monitoring, and data collection in rodents.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a background in neuroscience, pharmacology, psychology, or a related field who is interested in gaining hands-on experience in preclinical research and laboratory operations.

What You'll Do

As a Research Assistant, you will support nonclinical and preclinical neuropsychopharmacology studies investigating the neural mechanisms underlying reward, stress, and pain. You will work closely with the research team to conduct behavioral and dosing studies in rodents, collect and manage study data, and support laboratory operations. This role provides hands-on experience with behavioral research, rodent procedures, neural activity monitoring, and data collection in a collaborative research environment.

In this role, you will:

Conduct behavioral and dosing experiments in laboratory rodents.

Perform rodent surgeries, including intracranial procedures, and provide pre- and post-operative care.

Manipulate and monitor neural activity in rodents during behavioral tasks.

Collect, document, and maintain accurate behavioral observations and study data.

Review study data and associated records for accuracy and completeness.

Monitor laboratory rodents and assess animal health and well-being.

Maintain laboratory supplies, equipment, records, and inventory.

Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment as needed.

Follow established protocols, standard operating procedures, health and safety guidelines, and applicable regulatory requirements, including NIH, GLP, and DEA regulations, as applicable.

Assist with laboratory inspections and preparation of inspection materials.

Support the training of new or less experienced laboratory staff.

Communicate effectively with supervisors, team members, and external collaborators.

Occasionally work evenings, nights, weekends, or holidays based on study

What You'll Need

Ongoing or completed bachelor's degree in neuroscience, pharmacology, psychology, biology, or a related scientific discipline.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate data collection and documentation.

Ability to follow established protocols, standard operating procedures, health and safety guidelines, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively to a collaborative research team.

Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced research environment.

Ability to perform mathematical calculations required for data analysis and drug dosing.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

Hands-on research or laboratory experience working with rodents.

Experience with behavioral or pharmacological models in rodents.

Experience with rodent surgery and/or pre- and post-operative care.

Experience with neural recording techniques or monitoring neural activity in behaving animals.

Experience analyzing and interpreting data generated from in vivo neural recordings.

Familiarity with MATLAB, Python, R, or other statistical/data analysis software.

Experience with microscopy or analysis of microscopy-generated data.

Experience working in a regulated laboratory environment or following GLP principles.

EEO & Pay Equity Statements

For San Francisco, CA USA Job Postings Only: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Further information is available here.

RTI accepts applications to our job openings from candidates with criminal histories or conviction records in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

For Applicants in Massachusetts Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below. Our pay ranges represent national averages and may vary by location as a geographic differential may be applied to some locations within the United States. RTI considers multiple factors when making an offer including, for example: established salary range, internal budget, business needs, and education and years of work experience possessed by the applicant. Further, salary is merely one element to our offer.

At RTI, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes (among other things) a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave for all parents, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.

Equal Pay Act Minimum/Range

$20 - $25 per hour

As a Research Assistant, you will support nonclinical and preclinical neuropsychopharmacology studies investigating the neural mechanisms underlying reward, stress, and pain. You will work closely with the research team to conduct behavioral and dosing studies in rodents, collect and manage study data, and support laboratory operations. This role provides hands-on experience with behavioral research, rodent procedures, neural activity monitoring, and data collection in a collaborative research environment.

In this role, you will:

Conduct behavioral and dosing experiments in laboratory rodents.

Perform rodent surgeries, including intracranial procedures, and provide pre- and post-operative care.

Manipulate and monitor neural activity in rodents during behavioral tasks.

Collect, document, and maintain accurate behavioral observations and study data.

Review study data and associated records for accuracy and completeness.

Monitor laboratory rodents and assess animal health and well-being.

Maintain laboratory supplies, equipment, records, and inventory.

Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment as needed.

Follow established protocols, standard operating procedures, health and safety guidelines, and applicable regulatory requirements, including NIH, GLP, and DEA regulations, as applicable.

Assist with laboratory inspections and preparation of inspection materials.

Support the training of new or less experienced laboratory staff.

Communicate effectively with supervisors, team members, and external collaborators.

Occasionally work evenings, nights, weekends, or holidays based on study

Ongoing or completed bachelor's degree in neuroscience, pharmacology, psychology, biology, or a related scientific discipline.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate data collection and documentation.

Ability to follow established protocols, standard operating procedures, health and safety guidelines, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively to a collaborative research team.

Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced research environment.

Ability to perform mathematical calculations required for data analysis and drug dosing.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

Hands-on research or laboratory experience working with rodents.

Experience with behavioral or pharmacological models in rodents.

Experience with rodent surgery and/or pre- and post-operative care.

Experience with neural recording techniques or monitoring neural activity in behaving animals.

Experience analyzing and interpreting data generated from in vivo neural recordings.

Familiarity with MATLAB, Python, R, or other statistical/data analysis software.

Experience with microscopy or analysis of microscopy-generated data.

Experience working in a regulated laboratory environment or following GLP principles.