Research Assistant I - Hoffman Lab

Loyola University Chicago

United States, Illinois, Maywood

Aug 29, 2025

Position Details

Job Title	RESEARCH ASST I
Position Number	8150996
Job Category	University Staff
Job Type	Full-Time
FLSA Status	Non-Exempt
Campus	Maywood-Health Sciences Campus
Department Name	PHARMACOLOGY
Location Code	PHARMACOLOGY (06230A)
Is this split and/or fully grant funded?	Yes
Duties and Responsibilities	The Hoffman Lab in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience at Loyola University Chicago is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Research Assistant I to support ongoing studies investigating the neural mechanisms underlying alcohol use disorder. The lab uses a multidisciplinary approach, including behavioral assays in mice, molecular and biochemical techniques, and tissue-based analyses. This is an excellent opportunity for recent graduates interested in gaining research experience in neuroscience and preparing for graduate or professional school. Key Responsibilities Perform rodent behavioral experiments (e.g., operant self-administration, open field, elevated zero maze, Morris water maze). Assist with animal handling, husbandry support, and routine health monitoring. Collect and process brain and peripheral tissue for molecular and biochemical assays (e.g., western blotting, RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry). Maintain accurate and detailed experimental records. Manage laboratory supplies, equipment, and basic organizational tasks. Work collaboratively with graduate students, postdocs, and the PI to support ongoing research projects. Follow IACUC protocols and institutional safety guidelines. Attends weekly lab meetings, departmental seminars, and other professional development opportunities as applicable. Performs related duties as assigned.
Minimum Education and/or Work Experience	Required: Education: HS Diploma Experience: None Preferred: Education: Bachelor's Degree Experience: 1-2 years of previous experience
Qualifications	Prior laboratory experience (coursework or research setting) strongly preferred. Experience with rodent handling and behavioral testing is a plus, but training will be provided. Familiarity with molecular biology techniques (e.g., PCR, protein assays, microscopy) is desirable. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and willingness to learn new methods. Ability to work independently as well as courteously in a team-oriented environment. Ability to follow oral and written instructions and established procedures.
Certificates/Credentials/Licenses	Preferred: Bachelors Degree Specify Degree(s): Neuroscience, biology, psychology, or a related field
Computer Skills	General lab software: Microsoft Office Suites (excel, word, etc.; required) Data analysis and statistical software: GraphPad Prism, SPSS, jamovii (preferred, training will be provided) Image analysis: ImageJ/Fiji, Photoshop (preferred, training will be provided) Behavioral tracking software: EthoVision, ANY-maze (preferred, training will be provided)
Supervisory Responsibilities	No
Required operation of university owned vehicles	No
Does this position require direct animal or patient contact?	Yes
Physical Demands	Lifting, Carrying, Standing, Repetitive Motions
Working Conditions	Odors
Open Date	08/25/2025
Close Date
Position Maximum Salary or Hourly Rate	$22.00 /hr
Position Minimum Salary or Hourly Rate	$18.00 /hr
Special Instructions to Applicants	As a Jesuit, Catholic institution of higher education, we seek candidates who will contribute to our strategic plan to deliver a Transformative Education in the Jesuit tradition. To learn more about Loyola University Chicago's mission, candidates should consult our website at www.luc.edu/mission/. For information about the university's focus on transformative education, they should consult our website at www.luc.edu/transformativeed.
About Loyola University Chicago	Founded in 1870, Loyola University Chicago is one of the nation's largest Jesuit, Catholic universities, recognized for its academic excellence, commitment to community engagement, and leadership in sustainability. A Carnegie R1 research institution, Loyola leverages its status as one of an elite group of universities with the highest level of research activity to advance knowledge that serves communities and creates global impact. With 15 schools, colleges, and institutes-including Business, Law, Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences-Loyola operates three primary campuses in the greater Chicago area and one in Rome, Italy, that provide students a transformative, globally connected learning experience. Consistently ranked among the nation's top universities by U.S. News & World Report, Loyola is a STARS Gold-rated institution that is ranked as one of the country's most sustainable campuses by The Princeton Review and has earned distinctions from AmeriCorps and the Carnegie Foundation for its longstanding record of service and community engagement. Guided by its Jesuit mission and commitment to caring for the whole person, Loyola educates ethical leaders who think critically, act with purpose, and strive to create a more just and sustainable world. Loyola University Chicago strives to be an employer of choice by offering its staff and faculty a wide array of affordable, comprehensive, and competitive benefits. To view our benefits in detail, click here. Loyola adheres to all applicable federal, state, and/or local civil rights laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination in private institutions of higher education. Please see the University's Nondiscrimination Policy.
Quick Link for Posting	https://www.careers.luc.edu/postings/33758