Primate Research Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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

A key staff member responsible for coordination and support 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.

The incumbent will have responsibility for managing/coordinating protocols, scheduling procedures with internal and external laboratories, and communications with research and animal program units. They will be responsible for preparation of written reports, regulatory documentation, laboratory/image analysis, and materials for manuscripts/grants. They will also be responsible for developing and maintaining study budgets to ensure support for over 1000 rhesus macaques encompassing >75 new and ongoing research projects.

The incumbent will also contribute to the development and refinement of research related tools, imaging, procedures, and analysis. Additionally, the incumbent will be directly involved in the onboarding and training of new and current IDR staff.  Individual must have excellent skills with behavior training, data collection, data entry, and reporting of research findings in written and oral formats to local and national collaborators.

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 >75 research protocols involving typically >1000 rhesus and >100,000 procedures expected each year are appropriately organized and scheduled in ways that allow for them to be performed successfully, efficiently, and safely.
• Coordinate with the veterinary, animal care, surgical, and principle investigative staff to facilitate project expectations, schedules, and progress.
• Provide feedback to investigative staff on progress and project goals.
• Responsible for coordinating with offsite laboratories for data analysis of biomedical samples.
• Perform and train collaborators on the use of fluorescence imaging technology. Requires exceptional level of technical ability, safety training, and detailed knowledge primate anatomy and physiology.
• Assist with scheduling, coordination, and space management for the animals to ensure appropriate procedure/surgery/necropsy space is available, labs are able to process samples, and housing is appropriate for the experimental protocols.
• Maintain working knowledge of regulations set forth by the USDA, IACUC, AAALAC, and other agency guidelines that govern research in non-human primates and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Prepare various reports containing descriptive and analytical data, evaluate data that may be submitted for publication or contribution to grant application(s), progress reports, etc. 
• Responsible for developing and maintaining study budgets as well as ensuring inventory needs are met.
• Facilitate communication, training, and oversite of research assistants.

Technical skills

• Perform a variety of laboratory procedures, including cell separation, immunoassays, cell staining, flow cytometry, and cell culture.
• Perform minor surgical biopsy sampling, BALs, blood, and other minor procedures and sample collection on non-human primates.
• Perform anesthetic monitoring of non-human primates.
• Drug and antibody administration.

Laboratory Management and Administration

• Responsible for maintaining laboratory inventory, ordering, and supply restocking.
• Shipping and handling of animal tissues to various support laboratories.
• Make reagent solutions; routine laboratory and equipment maintenance. 

Data Analysis and Presentation

• Analyze and summarize data from ongoing projects and SPF breeding colonies.
• Track and report milestones.
• Present research findings to fellow researchers and external departments.
• Maintain accurate records of data obtained during research.

Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Master's in relevant field AND1 year of relevant experience. OR

• Equivalent combination of training and experience.

Skills and Abilities

• 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 (6 months relevant work experience) 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

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Biology, Zoology, Animal sciences, immunology or pathology.

• 3+ years of experience doing laboratory work performing immunoassays and cell separation techniques.

• Experience in managing labs or research units, training and supervising of students and RAs.

• Has a minimum of 3 years of laboratory experience in molecular/cellular biology, animal, and/or invivo research.

• Maintaining inventories of laboratory supplies and equipment.
• Experience with geriatric, infant, or immune compromised, and ABSL3 level non-human primates.

Additional Details

Salary position. Work schedule is routinely Monday - Friday (from 7:30am to 4:00pm) to start, and may shift to a 4-10s schedule after training period. Evening and weekend work may be required by scope of the position.

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 Demands and Equipment

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

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.

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 askhr@ohsu.eduEmployment Type: FULL_TIME