Senior Research Assistant

Job description

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
• 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.
• 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
• 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.