Research Assistant 2
Oregon Health & Science University
- Beaverton, OR
- Permanent
- Full-time
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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