Senior Research Assistant

Oregon Health & Science University•Beaverton, OR

2d•Onsite

About The 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Requirements

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.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

Overseeing labs or research units
Collecting and processing animal tissues
Training and supervising of research assistants (1 and 2)
Preparation of written reports and, as applicable, regulatory documentation
Assist with necropsies and sample collection and processing of terminal tissue samples
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
Maintenance of laboratory supplies and equipment, autoclaving, and disposal of waste
Coordinate 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
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
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
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