I. DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
| Job Description Summary: |
Founded in 1824, the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences (
SMHS) is the 11th oldest medical school in the country and the first in the nation's capital. Since its establishment, the school has been at the forefront of medical education and has grown to include highly-ranked programs in the health and biomedical sciences. With dozens of top-tier residency programs,
SMHS is a competitive and esteemed destination for medical school graduates across the country. Find out more here:
http://smhs.gwu.edu/
The Bethea Lab at
GWU is seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant to join an interdisciplinary neuroimmunology research program investigating central nervous system (
CNS) cytokine receptor signaling and neuroinflammation in the context of chronic pain.
The Research Assistant will contribute directly to in-vivo and molecular studies examining how injury-induced pain-driven inflammatory signaling within the
CNS alters neural function and contributes to disease-related pathologies.
This position is intended for individuals seeking substantial research training and technical expertise in neuroimmunology/in-vivo neuroscience as preparation for post-graduate programs in biomedical science, neuroscience, immunology, or related disciplines.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain and manage mouse lines, including breeding, genotyping coordination, colony organization, and accurate record keeping.
- Perform in-vivo mouse experiments, including handling, anesthesia, post-operative monitoring, and tissue collection.
- Execute behavioral assays relevant to chronic pain and neuroinflammation.
- Perform standard wet lab techniques including immunohistochemistry, ELISA, Western blotting, PCR/qPCR.
- Assist in stereotaxic surgeries for targeted CNS manipulations, including intracranial injections, viral vector delivery, or pharmacological interventions.
- Maintain detailed experimental records, analyze data, and prepare figures or datasets.
- Contribute directly to manuscript preparation and be eligible for co-authorship based on contribution.
- Support laboratory organization, including reagent preparation, inventory management, and compliance with safety/animal care protocols.
- Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
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| Minimum Qualifications: |
Qualified candidates will hold a BA/BS in a related discipline. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. |
| Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications: |
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| Preferred Qualifications: |
- Prior experience with basic wet lab techniques preferred
- Prior experience in in-vivo mouse work, including stereotaxic surgery or intracranial injections, preferred
- Prior experience maintaining mouse lines, including breeding strategies and colony management, preferred
- Familiarity with neuroinflammation or cytokine receptor signaling-related research preferred
- Familiarity with behavioral neuroscience assays, especially pain-related behavioral testing preferred
- Prior experience with immunohistochemical, molecular, or imaging-based analyses preferred
- Demonstrated ability to work productively in a collaborative research environment with investigators at multiple training levels
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| Hiring Range |
$17.95 - $22.51 |
| GW Staff Approach to Pay |
How is pay for new employees determined at GW? |
Healthcare Benefits
GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs. II. POSITION INFORMATION
| Campus Location: |
Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C. |
| College/School/Department: |
School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) |
| Family |
Research and Labs |
| Sub-Family |
Laboratory Research |
| Stream |
Service and Support |
| Level |
Level 2 |
| Full-Time/Part-Time: |
Full-Time |
| Hours Per Week: |
40 |
| Work Schedule: |
8:30 am - 5:30 pm, Monday - Friday |
| Will this job require the employee to work on site? |
Yes |
| Employee Onsite Status |
On-campus (in person) |
| Telework: |
|
| Required Background Check |
Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search |
| Special Instructions to Applicants: |
Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status. This position is a grant-funded position. Continuation of the position is contingent on grant funding. |
| Internal Applicants Only? |
No |
| Posting Number: |
R002375 |
| Job Open Date: |
02/19/2026 |
| Job Close Date: |
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| Background Screening |
Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire. |
| EEO Statement: |
The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law. |
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George Washington University
Feb 20, 2026