Research Assistant 2 - Oregon Health & Science University

Department Overview:

The Oregon National Primate Research 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, a pond, 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:

The Research Assistant 2 will support the ongoing and newly funded research projects of the Axthelm Laboratory at the Oregon National Primate Research Center of OHSU. The incumbent will perform a variety of hands on procedures with non-human primates (NHPs) and may assist with and perform technical and laboratory procedures. The applicant may work in concert with other laboratory staff on the West Campus to accomplish a variety of hands-on procedures with NHPs such as collecting and processing tissues, phlebotomy, administrating experimental compounds/ anti-retroviral drugs/ medications, and monitoring of NHPs during procedures as dictated by study design. They may provide technical and administrative support for a range of projects, prepare data sets and reports, coordinate with surgical and clinical teams, and regulatory documentation as applicable. They will be responsible for general lab support duties, including maintenance of laboratory supplies/ equipment, sample collection preparation, sample storage and organization, and sanitation. The Axthelm Laboratory also has a strong emphasis on supporting pathology and necropsy for research purposes. Assistant will contribute to general lab support duties, including cleaning, stocking and maintenance of laboratory supplies and equipment.

 

Technical Research:

• Coordinate with the veterinary, animal care, and surgical staff, as well as Dr. Michael Axthelm and other investigators to facilitate project expectations, schedules, and progress for projects
• Preparation and collection of blood, urine, feces, hair, bronchoalveolar lavage, lymph node, bone marrow, mucosal swabs, and other samples in non-human primates within the scope of infectious disease research for the Axthelm Lab and associated collaborators
• Assist pathologists with experimental necropsy of non-human primates, including scheduling, prosection, sample collection, tissue processing, and inventory management 
• Provides assistance/support for pathologists with necropsies of non-human primates, including scheduling, sample collection, and processing of tissues for terminal timepoints.
• Shipping and handling of animal tissues to various collaborators
• Administration of anti-retroviral therapy, antibody therapy, drugs, oral medications, and sedatives to non-human primates
• Assist with surgeries of non-human primates, (including scheduling, anesthesia monitoring, recovery, aseptic technique, and administration of drugs), and assistance with necropsies.
• Assisting with specialized projects including, but not limited to stem cell transplants, gastrointestinal parasite free animals, and ABSL3 work
• Facilitate social environmental enrichment of and clinical support for non-human primates
• Assist with surgeries of non-human primates (including scheduling, anesthesia monitoring, recovery, aseptic technique, and administration of drugs) 
• Will perform intubation and catheter placement in non-human primates, and may assist with necropsies and terminal tissue sampling, handling, and processing

Laboratory and Records Management

• Analyze and summarize data from ongoing projects and SPF breeding colonies
• Schedule procedures, communicate changes, review for compliance, and update documentation
• Order and restocking reagents, supplies, and equipment
• Make reagent solutions; routine equipment maintenance, cleaning, and preparation for procedures
• May perform laboratory assays such as running complete blood cell counts (CBCs), PBMC isolation, serum chemistry panels, etc
• Participate in meetings, facilitate communications, and support teammates

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's in relevant field OR
• Associate's AND 3 years of relevant experience OR
• 4 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
• 6 months relevant work experience in 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's degree in Biology, Zoology, Animal sciences, Immunology, Pathology or similar
• Demonstrated experience supporting in vivo research with laboratory animals, especially nonhuman primates; molecular/cellular biology, animal physiology or endocrinology, and one-year laboratory work experience performing technical procedures covered by the USDA and/or OLAW
• Experience maintaining inventories of laboratory supplies and equipment
• Experience working with non-human primates, conducting sedation, phlebotomy, aseptic technique, injections, sample collections (BAL, feces, urine) and/or necropsies

Additional Details:

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Evening and weekend work may be required by scope of the position
• 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 DEMANDS & EQUIPMENT USAGE: 

• 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

 

All are welcome:Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.