Research Project Manager

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 a 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.

Responsibilities

• Independently contribute to ongoing research using the nonhuman primate as a model.
• Manage several major research projects across multiple divisions at ONPRC.
• Direct all studies assigned to the Collaborative Research Unit.
• Contribute to all stages of research projects, including animal research, protocol designs, IACUC applications, manuscript preparation, and presentation of data at national meetings.
• Assist in writing grant proposals and execute molecular biology and histochemistry-related experiments.
• Oversee daily activities of 2-4 technical staff and trainees, providing guidance on study design and implementation of experimental design in NHPs and rodents.
• Communicate with collaborators, including external research sponsors.
• Maintain regulatory compliance with IACUC, IBC, EHS, and radiation safety.
• Develop and submit AUC/APF, ARF, and other Service Request forms.
• Facilitate DUAs, MTAs, and contracts with OHSU bodies and collaborators.
• Schedule and oversee certification and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Maintain inventories of laboratory supplies and equipment, handle lab purchasing, and develop lab SOPs.
• Manage international shipment of dangerous goods.
• Maintain laboratory cleanliness, safety compliance, and handle biohazardous waste disposal.
• Review monthly budgets with Dr. Weiss.
• Acquire neuroimaging data (MRI and PET) using Siemens and GE scanners.
• Perform rodent and NHP neurosurgery, sedation, physiological monitoring, blood collection, and other specimen collections.
• Conduct animal health checks and coordinate care with veterinary staff.
• Handle ex vivo tissue collection, dissection, processing, sectioning using cryostat and sliding microtome, staining using immunohistochemical techniques, microscopy, and cell counts.
• Quantify and analyze neuroimaging scans using FSL, PMOD, and ANTs software in Linux environments.
• Quantify and analyze microscopy data using FIJI, CellSens, and other software.
• Perform statistical analysis using PRISM and R-studio.
• Develop and maintain databases.
• Present scientific methods and results to internal and external audiences in both written and oral formats.
• Contribute to the design of research studies and procedures, including grant preparation, progress reports, and manuscript writing.
• Participate in education and outreach programs, representing the lab in both ONPRC and public settings.
• Attend professional meetings when financial resources permit travel.

Requirements

• Master's degree in a relevant field and 3 years of relevant experience.
• Equivalent combination of a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with additional training and experience may be considered.
• Strong communication skills, including scientific terminology, with a demonstrated publication record.
• Experience working both independently and in small group settings with diverse staff and collaborators.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, EndNote, Linux computing environments, neuroimaging software (FSL, PMOD, ANTs), and statistical packages (PRISM, R-studio).
• Experience with database construction and management.
• Familiarity with compliance standards associated with IACUC, IBC, and EHS.
• Ability to maintain inventories of laboratory supplies and equipment, perform lab purchasing, and keep records.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology or a related field.
• 5+ years of training in neurodegeneration research.
• Experience in coordination, design, and execution of biomedical research protocols, including research procedures with laboratory animals such as rodents and nonhuman primates.
• Experience in neuroscience research, brain imaging, and histology.
• Experience writing scientific manuscripts.
• Ability to conduct independent and collaborative research, with demonstrated problem-solving skills.
• Experience with molecular techniques (DNA/RNA/Protein extraction, electrophoresis, PCR) and immunohistochemical techniques.
• Experience with IHC, microscopy, NHP stereotaxic surgical techniques, and necropsy.
• Experience with mouse and/or non-human primate behavior and/or imaging.
• Experience working with radioactive materials.
• Experience with HPLC.
• Experience with international shipment of dangerous goods.

Schedule

Work schedule will routinely be Monday through Friday, 8:30/9:00 AM to 5:00/5:30 PM, and may require some night or weekend hours when necessary for a particular study. Travel to national meetings 1-2 times per year based on funding.

Work Environment

Work is performed in both laboratory and animal handling settings, which carry a potential risk of exposure to chemicals, biohazard materials, dry ice, and low-level radioactivity; and zoonotic agents through injury, by direct contact with animals or their tissues and body fluids, or by contact with equipment contaminated by animals or their tissues and body fluids. Able to lift/move equipment weighing up to 50 lbs.

Benefits

• Healthcare for full-time employees covered 100% and 88% for dependents.
• $50K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee.
• Two separate above-market pension plans to choose from.
• Paid time off - 208 hours per year, prorated for part-time.
• Extended illness bank - 64 hours per year, prorated for part-time.
• 9 paid holidays per year.
• Substantial Tri-Met and C-Tran discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Childcare service discounts.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Employee discounts to local and major businesses.