Principal Investigator, Celine Riera, PhD is looking for a Research Associate to join the team!

When the work you do every single day has a crucial impact on the lives of others, every effort, every detail, and every second matters. This shared culture of happiness, passion, and dedication pulses through Cedars-Sinai, and it’s just one of the many reasons we rank as one of the top hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Are you ready to be a part of breakthrough research?

The Riera Laboratory studies the neurocircuits controlling energy homeostatic processes in response to environmental cues. We investigate how sensory information is processed in the hypothalamus in response to predator smell, temperature changes and food cues. Our long-term goal is to understand how impaired processing of sensory information can alter metabolic health and contributes to the aging process. For example: Is the reduced ability to detect cold temperatures associated with decreased sympathetic activation of brown adipose tissue thermogenesis and/or white adipose tissue lipolysis and therefore increased weight gain? We use cell-specific viral vectors targeting brain neurons, neuron activity mapping, chemogenetic stimulation and neuron calcium imaging to examine the role of specific cell types in metabolism. We also use diet-induced obesity, diabetes and neurodegenerative disease models, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease-like pathologies to examine the maladaptive consequences of neuronal dysfunction in disease. To learn more, please visit Riera Research Lab | Cedars-Sinai.

Working under direct supervision, the Research Associate II performs routine and increasingly complex laboratory tasks and procedures and develops technical expertise in one or more areas relevant to research projects. The Research Associate II will participate in research activities involving all aspects of the research process, to include, but not limited to; investigation, technical, testing/validation of results, and report findings. The Associate will perform a variety of routine experimental protocols and procedures to support the objectives of laboratory research projects. The Associate will observe and comply with safety standards and procedures, assist in preparation of data for publication and/or presentation at scholarly meetings, and assist in general laboratory maintenance. This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs a variety of increasingly complex experimental protocols and procedures and assist in the design of new complex or unusual protocols and techniques.
• Keeps accurate and detailed records of experiments and results, and assist in identifying and troubleshooting of unexpected results.
• Orders laboratory supplies and supports laboratory operations.
• Maintains lab equipment and related records and may coordinate use of lab equipment.
• Assists in the operation of specialized equipment, as required by the area of research.
• Assists in preparation of data for publication and/or presentation at scholarly meetings.
• Observes and complies with safety standards and procedures.
• Orients research laboratory assistants or lower level research associates and undergraduate student researchers on day-to-day lab operations and routine procedures.

Education:

• Minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience, Bioengineering, or related field required.

Experience and Skills:

• One (1) year of research laboratory experience is required.
• Understanding of general research objectives.
• Working knowledge of database management, personal computers, and presentation and imaging software.
• Solid understanding of routine laboratory procedures and experimental protocols.
• Must possess computer skills to include, but not limited to, Excel and Word.