Research Assistant

Department Overview

The Oregon National Primate Center (ONPRC) is located 12 miles west of the OHSU main campus, and sits on 162 acres of land featuring forested areas, research and administration buildings, indoor and outdoor animal housing, and 2-mile perimeter walking path. Our mission is to improve human health and the quality of life through the support of nonhuman primate research programs that advance our knowledge of the causes, preventions, treatments, and cures of debilitating diseases.

Function/Duties of Position

This individual will be responsible for specific sections of ongoing and newly funded projects using non-human primates in the study of the immune system, immunodeficiencies, infectious diseases, and specific pathogen free non-human primate projects supported by infectious disease research laboratories and the Infectious Disease Resource in the Division of Pathobiology at ONPRC. They may have responsibility for overseeing labs or research units, collecting and processing animal tissues, training and supervising of research assistants (1 and 2), and preparation of written reports and, as applicable, regulatory documentation. They may assist with necropsies and sample collection and processing of terminal tissue samples. They may provide technical and administrative support for principle investigative staff and the pathologists of the Experimental Pathology Unit to ensure terminal endpoints are coordinated and performed efficiently. Coordinate with the veterinary, animal care, surgical, and principle investigative staff to facilitate project expectations, schedules, and progress, and in some cases to facilitate social environmental enrichment of non-human primates. They will also be responsible for various general lab support duties, including maintenance of laboratory supplies and equipment, autoclaving, and disposal of waste.

Specialized Area of Responsibility

• Assist with specialized projects and procedures including but not limited to coordination with multiple research groups to help ensure that the thousands of procedures expected each year are appropriately organized and scheduled in ways that allow for them to be successfully performed by IDR and associated collaborating groups.
• Coordinate and execute specialized projects and procedures in ABSL2+ and ABSL3 level work with non-human primates.
• Maintain and execute protocols for gastrointestinal pathogen free and MRSA free colonies.
• Perform antibody infusions, drug infusion, hematology, cell transfers in non-human primates.
• May provide training and oversight of staff for projects and procedures.
• Develop written reports, laboratory practices/guidelines, and regulatory documentation as appropriate.
• Assists with acquiring computerized tomography images in non-human primates.
• Provide detailed observation and communication to veterinarians/PIs for obese, highly immunosuppressed, geriatric, and infant macaques.
• Possess general knowledge of research practices, and assists others the methodology and laboratory practices.
• Administration of therapies and medications (oral, IV, IM, or SQ).
• May perform floubeam, flow cytometry, cell separation and proliferation, and additional benchwork duties as assigned.
• Maintain working knowledge of regulations set forth by the USDA, OLAW, AAALAC, and other agency guidelines that govern research in non-human primates and ensure regulatory compliance.

Technical Skills

• Perform a variety of laboratory maintenance including, but not limited to machine maintenance, cleaning instruments, running assays and processing samples, and maintaining an organized work space.
• Assist with and perform biopsies (LN, BM) and Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) on non-human primates.
• Coordinate scheduling and drug administration for various projects.
• Perform Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) administration.
• Collection and preparation of blood samples, shipping and handling of animal tissues to various support laboratories.
• Collection, data entry, and statistical analysis of data and reporting of research findings in written and oral formats.

Laboratory Management, Administrative Duties, and Records

• Managing production, supplies, and coordination with research units.
• Training and supervising of research assistants.
• Order reagents, supplies and equipment.
• Make reagent solutions; routine equipment maintenance.
• Maintain accurate animal health records.
• Participate in meetings, facilitate communications, and support teammates within group and associated collaborators.

Data Analysis and Report Preparation

• Prepare reports containing descriptive and analytical data, evaluate data that may be submitted for publication or contribution to grant application(s), progress reports, etc.
• Analyze and summarize data from ongoing projects and SPF breeding colonies.
• Present research findings to fellow laboratory staff and researchers in the Division of Pathobiology.

Perform other duties as needed to successfully fulfill the function of the position.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's in relevant field AND 1 years of relevant experience; OR
• Equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively, including use and meaning of scientific terminology, in both written and oral formats.
• Ability to work both independently and in a small group setting.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word.
• Demonstrated independence and competence to perform data management and analysis of research finding, including use of spreadsheets, graphics and statistical programs.
• Ability to interact in a positive and productive manner, and to work efficiently and skillfully with a variety of diverse staff.
• Ability to prioritize work demands, and coordinate research protocols with other staff.
• Organizational skills and careful attention to details to satisfactorily perform job duties requiring procedural steps to be consistent and completed fully and timely.
• Detailed record keeping, cataloging of samples, data entry and statistical analysis, laboratory maintenance, autoclaving and use of sterile techniques.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Biology, Zoology, Animal sciences, immunology or pathology.
• Preferred current Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) license.

• Has a minimum of 1 year of laboratory experience in molecular/cellular biology, animal, and/or invivo research.

• 2 years laboratory work experience performing immunoassays and cell separation techniques.

• Experience in managing labs or research units, training and supervising of students and RA’s.

• Experience assisting with necropsy in non-human primates.

• Experience administering drugs and medication to non-human primates.

• Maintaining inventories of laboratory supplies and equipment.
• Experience with geriatic or immune compromised and ABSL3 with non-human primates.

Additional Details

Hourly position. Work schedule is routinely Monday - Friday (from 7:30am to 4:00pm) to start, and schedule may shift to a 4-10s schedule (6:30am-5:00pm) after initial training period which may include weekend days. Evening and weekend work may be required by scope of the position; position is eligible for overtime.

Working Conditions

• Work performed in laboratory setting, with potential risk of exposure to chemicals and ultra low freezers.
• Work in areas where there is risk of exposure to zoonotic agents through injury, by direct contact with animals (NHP) or their tissues and body fluids, or by contact with equipment contaminated by animals or their tissues and body fluids.
• Work where there is risk of exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals and sanitizing chemicals.

Physical Conditions

• Must be able to lift and move equipment/items/animals weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Work in a biosafety hood for long periods; physical dexterity to work in areas that may have slippery conditions and ability to minipulate exsisting animal housing.
• Ablity to stand/walk for extended periods of time (4+hours/day).
• Ability to kneel/lift/reach for short periods of time. 

Why apply to OHSU?

We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact [email protected]