Senior Research Assistant

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Oversee labs or research units, collect and process animal tissues, train and supervise of research assistants (1 and 2).
• Prepare written reports and, as applicable, regulatory documentation.
• Assist with necropsies and sample collection and processing of terminal tissue samples.
• 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.
• Perform 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.
• 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.
• Administer therapies and medications (oral, IV, IM, or SQ).
• 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; OREquivalent combination of training and experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively, including use and meaning of scientific terminology, in both written and oral formats.
• 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.
• Detail record keeping, cataloging of samples, data entry and statistical analysis, laboratory maintenance, autoclaving and use of sterile techniques.

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/cell 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 geriatric or immune compromised and ABSL3 with non-human primates.