Senior Research Assistant

Oregon Health & Science University; Oregon; On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Pension plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Oregon Health & Science University’s ONPRC is seeking a Senior Research Assistant to perform live animal work in mice and non-human primates, conduct molecular assays, and manage laboratory operations. You will analyze data, prepare figures, and assist with manuscript writing under PI supervision.

The role requires independent project management, collaboration with researchers, and adherence to safety and regulatory guidelines in an academic setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and 1 year of relevant experience.
• Equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Experience with animal handling preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a mouse colony and conduct approved procedures in mice and non-human primates.
• Perform molecular biology protocols including DNA/RNA extraction and PCR-based assays.
• Collect, analyze, and present data; contribute to manuscript preparation.
• Train collaborators and students; manage lab notebooks and compliance.
• Maintain equipment, materials, and waste streams with safety standards.
• Provide mentorship to interns and junior staff.

Skills

Molecular techniques

Data analysis

Lab management

Communication

Time management

Office software

Animal handling basics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology or related field

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Statistical software

qRT-PCR

Job description

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

The full-time Senior Research Assistant position is a split position between the Burwitz and Vrooman labs to conduct live animal work in mice and non-human primates, molecular assays, and laboratory management in an academic setting. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to: maintaining a mouse colony, performing approved experimental procedures in mice and non-human primates, conducting molecular biology and microscopy protocols, collecting, analyzing, and presenting data, manuscript preparation and writing, and maintaining a clean, well-functioning, and safe laboratory. This position reports directly to the Principal Investigators but must be able to independently manage their assigned research projects, perform research tasks with minimal errors, and provide appropriate training to collaborators, other research assistants, high school or undergraduate students in the lab. It is considered an essential worker position that requires reporting in-person during inclement weather or other emergencies when applicable to time-sensitive experiments involving animals or animal welfare. They will need to proactively perform general/routine laboratory duties such as cleaning and maintaining equipment and shared spaces, autoclaving, incubator/gas tank monitoring, assisting with reagent inventory, scheduling hazardous waste pickup, etc. They must also be able to professionally and effectively interact with other staff and trainees associated with their projects. They may, at times, conduct research activities at the ONPRC under another collaborating Principal Investigator.

• Conduct mouse and non-human primate experimental procedures with general supervision, including coordinating administration of diets/medications and monitoring, collecting and processing biological samples. For mouse husbandry, mating mice, checking pregnancies, weaning, genotyping, performing euthanasia, and overseeing general health concerns. Assisting in and ensuring regulatory compliance with animal use.
• Molecular, cellular, and developmental biology protocols: e.g., DNA/RNA extraction, library preparation, qRT-PCR, DNA methylation assays, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, light microscopy.
• Data analysis and record keeping: Maintain up-to-date lab notebook with recorded protocols and data, create graphs, and perform basic statistical analyses.
• Writing & Presentations: Prepare written reports of methods, figures, and present data in weekly meetings. Perform literature searches relevant to research projects.
• Laboratory maintenance: Ordering and proper storage of supplies and reagents, preparing solutions, autoclaving, keep bench areas and equipment clean and compliant with safety standards, arrange chemical and biological waste, staying compliant with required trainings.
• Help provide functional guidance and mentorship to interns/students doing short-term projects in the laboratory.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field and 1 years of relevant experience; OR
• Equivalent combination of training and experience.

Skills And Abilities

• Proficiency in basic molecular biology techniques, e.g., DNA and RNA extraction, real-time quantitative PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal format.
• Ability to work independently, one-on-one, and small group setting in a positive and productive manner.
• Work efficiently and skillfully with a diverse group of staff and collaborators.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with statistical programs.
• Ability to prioritize work demands and coordinate work schedules/protocols with other staff.
• Organizational and time management, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills to satisfactorily perform job duties independently and meet deadlines set by PI.
• Ability to comprehend scientific articles and organize information into spreadsheets.
• High level of self-motivation, reliability, and integrity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Biochemistry, or related field.
• 1-3 years of research of experience in a laboratory setting.
• Previous mouse husbandry, handling, and/or surgery experience.
• Previous cell culture experience.
• Proficiency in specialized molecular and cellular biology techniques.
• Previous experience in next generation sequencing.
• Experience keeping lab/data records.

Additional Details

Work schedule is routinely 8:30am-4:30pm or 9am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday. Experiments may require the ability to temporarily work outside these core hours, including occasional early morning (~7am), evening (~8pm), weekend, and holiday work as required by the scope of position. This position requires arrival on-time and reliable transportation to the lab. Remote work from other sites or from home is not anticipated but will be considered on a case-by-case basis with approval from PIs. There may be optional opportunities for travel for experiments, presentations, or outreach work on behalf of OHSU/ONPRC.

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.

Working Conditions

Experiments and desk work are performed inside the laboratory with potential risk of exposure to chemical and biohazardous materials, open flame, compressed gases, and cold temperatures. Work with animals also comes with risk of physical injury (scratches, bites), allergy (direct and indirect exposure to animal hair/dander/tissues), and exposure to zoonotic agents (direct and indirect contact with animals). Eating and drinking must occur outside the laboratory for safety reasons.

Physical Demands and Equipment

Handling/restraining live animals, administering injections to live animals, collecting and processing of tissue samples including blood, performing euthanasia, performing dissections on euthanized animals, perform micromanipulations and experimental procedures without shaky hands, stand for up to three hour period, sit for up to three hour period, lift/move equipment/reagents weighing up to 40lbs, maneuver 140lb gas tank onto dolly and push, use a computer mouse and keyboard, read from a computer monitor for up to a three hour period, look into microscope oculars for up to a three hour period, see clearly (with glasses or contact lenses is ok).

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 [e-mail]