At the forefront of medical discovery as it relates to understanding the causes of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia, Pennington Biomedical Research Center is a campus of Louisiana State University and conducts basic, clinical and population research. The Center includes Basic Science, Clinical Research, and Population and Public Health, enabling both focused research and translational science. Research at Pennington Biomedical is supported broadly by multiple NIH Research Centers, and includes approximately 65 faculty and 20 postdoctoral fellows who comprise a network of 44 laboratories and 13 highly specialized core service facilities. Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the-art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Position Type:Other Academic
Department:LSUPBRC Basic - Integrative Stress Metabolism (Christopher David Morrison (00010271) (Inherited))
Work Location:LSU - Pennington Biomedical
Pay Grade:Other Academic
Job Description:
Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a world-renowned academic research institute of Louisiana State University, is seeking a Research Assoicate 2 or 3 in the Integrative Stress Metabolism Laboratory.
This position supports the research objectives of the Integrated Stress Metabolism Laboratory through hands-on participation in the planning, execution, troubleshooting, and analysis of molecular, biochemical, cellular, and physiological experiments. The Research Associate will contribute to ongoing research projects, perform specialized laboratory techniques, collect and analyze research data, and assist with the interpretation and communication of research findings. The ideal candidate is proactive, detail-oriented, and able to work independently while collaborating effectively with the research team. This position requires the ability to balance scientific and technical responsibilities with project coordination and laboratory activities to support an efficient, productive, and innovative research environment.
Major Responsibilities
- Independently plan, execute, troubleshoot, and optimize complex molecular, biochemical, cellular, and physiological experiments in support of research investigating integrated stress and metabolism.
- Develop and implement experimental approaches in collaboration with the Principal Investigator and research team, selecting appropriate assays, cell culture models, molecular techniques, and biological analyses to address research questions.
- Analyze and interpret experimental data, including application of appropriate statistical methods, identification of trends and discrepancies, evaluation of experimental quality, and development of scientifically sound conclusions.
- Manage research activities across multiple projects, coordinating experimental timelines, maintaining research records and materials, troubleshooting technical challenges, and ensuring reproducibility and adherence to established protocols.
- Contribute to the development and dissemination of scientific findings through preparation of manuscripts, abstracts, presentations, figures, research reports, and grant proposals.
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to research staff and students by training personnel in laboratory techniques, experimental methods, safety procedures, data management, and quality-control practices.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Physiology, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biostatistics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related field.
- Two years of relevant research or laboratory experience, preferably in molecular, cellular, physiological, metabolic, or biomedical research.
- Demonstrated hands-on experience with rodent behavioral and physiological research techniques, including drug self-administration, drug discrimination, tail-flick assays, osmotic minipump insertion, and intracranial self-stimulation.
- Demonstrated wet-laboratory experience, including Western blotting and RT-qPCR, with the ability to independently perform established protocols and troubleshoot experimental procedures.
- Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently, exercise sound scientific judgment, and troubleshoot research challenges.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate research findings and collaborate with investigators, research staff, and students.
Preferred Qualifications
- Three (3) or more years of laboratory research experience, with demonstrated proficiency in molecular biology and biochemical techniques, including PCR/RT-qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA, cell culture, and metabolic assays.
- Experience conducting rodent behavioral and physiological assays, including drug self-administration, drug discrimination, tail-flick testing, osmotic minipump insertion, and intracranial self-stimulation.
- Experience with research data collection, management, analysis, and interpretation, including proficiency with statistical software and/or data analysis tools.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple research projects and priorities, maintain accurate research records, adhere to applicable laboratory and regulatory requirements, and assist with laboratory purchasing, inventory, and budget management.
- Strong organizational, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently, collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary research teams, and contribute to a productive and efficient laboratory environment.
*As part of a career progression group, this vacancy may be filled as a Research Associate 2 or 3 depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant.
Pennington Biomedical Research Center seeks to recruit a highly productive workforce with a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non-merit factor.
Additional Job Description:Competencies:NoneSpecial Instructions:Interested candidates should include a resume and a list of three (3) professional references to the online application. Professional references should be the name, title, company, and contact information from past employers. Professional references should include current or previous supervisors and/or coworkers. Personal references should not be considered for the reference check process. We will respect the request that we not contact a current employer. However, we will need to contact a prior supervisor if such a request is made.
A letter of application/cover letter is recommended but not required. Official transcripts are required prior to hire and are not required at the time of application.
Posting Date:September 9, 2026
Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):September 23, 2026
Additional Position Information:
Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the-art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For more information, visit PBRC.
Questions regarding career opportunities at Pennington Biomedical should be sent to [email protected].
Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.
Benefits - Pennington Biomedical Research Center offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!
Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.
Essential Position (Y/N):
Pennington Biomedical Research Center/LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Contact Information:
Questions or concerns can be directed to PBRC Human Resources at 225-763-2776 or [email protected].
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Physiology, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biostatistics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related field.
- Two years of relevant research or laboratory experience.
- Hands-on experience with rodent behavioral and physiological research techniques, including drug self-administration, drug discrimination, tail-flick assays, osmotic minipump insertion, and intracranial self-stimulation.
- Wet-laboratory experience with Western blotting and RT-qPCR, including independent protocol execution and troubleshooting.
- Strong critical-thinking, problem-solving, independent judgment, and research troubleshooting skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to collaborate with investigators, staff, and students.
- Three or more years of laboratory research experience.
- Proficiency in molecular biology and biochemical techniques, including PCR/RT-qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA, cell culture, and metabolic assays.
- Experience with rodent behavioral and physiological assays.
- Experience with research data collection, management, analysis, and interpretation using statistical software or data analysis tools.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, maintain research records, follow laboratory and regulatory requirements, and assist with purchasing, inventory, and budget management.
- Strong organizational, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
What We Do
LSU is the flagship institution of Louisiana and is one of only 30 universities nationwide holding land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant status. Since 1860, LSU has served its region, the nation, and the world through extensive, multipurpose programs encompassing instruction, research, and public service. The university brings in more than $150 million annually in outside research grants and contracts, a significant factor for the Louisiana economy
