Senior Research Assistant

Company : Oregon Health & Science University

Department Overview:

This position is responsible for supporting and conducting technical work on preclinical research protocols in the Diagnostic Radiology laboratory with an emphasis on small animal imaging.

The successful candidate will have and maintain a working knowledge of OHSU departments that oversee ethical animal care and use. The individual assuming this role will have ownership of regulatory tasks that are completed over the lifetime of a project, including protocol development, submission to IACUC, and protocol amendments.

Function/Duties of Position:

MRI & microPET Technician

• Coordinate imaging schedule as proposed in experimental protocols 
• Perform anatomic and physiologic magnetic resonance imaging on rat brains, organs and intracerebral tumors using the 12T MRI in the AIRC
• Schedule and orchestrate microPET imaging of rat brains, organs and intracerebral tumors
• Administer anesthetic agents, reversal agents, contrast agents, radionuclides and other novel agent to animals IV
• Perform imaging analysis and compile data 40% Yes

Animal Technician

• Handle animals according to standard protocols, procedures, and research-specific protocols 
• Animal procedure and treatment preparation (i.e., intubation, anesthesia administration, tail/femoral and jugular IV starts, MRI contrast agents)
• Perform surgeries, treatments, and other animal procedures, including brain tumor implantation, radiation, tissue dissection, and euthanasia.
• Perform injections and inoculations, such as ultrasound-guided intra-cardia injection or intra-cerebellum inoculation
• Blood processing and testing (i.e., BUN and blood panel)

Lab Maintenance

• Assist PIs in the development of preclinical research protocols, including animal experiments and data collection methods
• Ensure overall compliance with OHSU requirements for lab operations and use
• Present images and data at lab meetings
• Attend conferences, lab meetings, and journal club
• Cleaning and maintenance of lab space (i.e., washing labware, eyewash stations, proper removal of biohazards/chemicals) 
• Lab equipment maintenance (i.e., CO2 tanks and liquid nitrogen storage)
• Restocking of supplies for general use and surgeries  
• Autoclaving surgical kits and tip/tube stock
• Making buffers and ethanol mixtures, as needed
• Monitoring and maintaining temperature, CO2, and water levels in incubators and water baths for cell culture
• Train and supervise interns and student workers on general lab safety, maintenance, cell culture and histology

Histology & Microscopy

• Embed and section rat brain and tumor tissues utilizing vibratome, microtome and cryostat sectioning equipment
• Perform IF and IHC staining on paraffin embedded, frozen and thick sectioned tissue
• Slipcover and clean microscope slides
• Improving and innovating IF and fluorescent imaging techniques
• Image using microscopes in the ALMC such as the LSM 900, LSM 980 and Axioscan slide scanner
• Perform imaging analysis using post-processing software (i.e., Zen, Imaris, and ImageJ)
• Presenting microscopy images and data using PowerPoint presentations at lab meetings 

Cell culture & in vitro assays 

• Culturing human and rat cancer cells (splitting/ feeding)
• Making media and aliquoting supplements as needed
• Freezing and storing cancer cells and fresh tissue
• Preparing cells for surgical inoculations
• Plating cells for in vitro assays
• Performing BCA and Western blots 

Education

• Participate in project-specific trainings; Participate in continuing education activities to maintain current knowledge of animal handling, equipment usage, and OHSU lab requirements.

Additional Duties:  Additional duties as assigned 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field AND

• 1 year of relevant experience OR

• Equivalent combination of training and experience 

• Proficiency with basic and more complex lab equipment, such as autoclave, nitrogen tanks, surgical tools

• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills (both written & verbal)

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team while being collaborative in resolving problems

• Ability to prioritize work demands and manage time appropriately

• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to maintain effective working relationships

• Must possess the energy and drive to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously

• Must have demonstrated record of reliable attendance, punctuality, and proven successful performance

• Ability to perform the job duties with or without accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preclinical lab experience with animal models

• Experience with 12T MRI and microPET animal imaging

• Ability to establish an IV line in rat tail/ femoral vein

Additional Details:

• Must be able to travel to all Diagnostic Radiology worksite locations, including by stairs, elevator, aerial tram, shuttle, and/or public transit
• Must be able to focus in a busy cubicle environment with frequent distractions
• Must be adaptable and able to shift focus back and forth among multiple research projects.

All are welcome:
Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at (phone number removed) or aaeo@ohsu.edu.

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