Research Assistant

Department Overview

The Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute (VGTI) at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) has assembled a multidisciplinary team of scientists to respond to serious viral disease threats, including AIDS, chronic viral infection-associated diseases, newly emerging viral diseases and infectious diseases of the elderly. Our programs are intended to span the continuum between basic and clinical science, in which discoveries are rapidly advanced from the level of molecular and cellular biology through animal models and ultimately into clinical testing.

 

The development of this unique program in immunology and virology provides an important training opportunity for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at OHSU. This is why an important part of our mission is the training of young scientists in newer academic disciplines emerging at the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute.

 

We are a large nonhuman primate (NHP) research program at the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute (VGTI), located at the West Campus of OHSU. Our laboratory is focused on the immunopathobiology of infectious diseases, and the development of vaccines and therapies for those diseases. The primary technology employed by the lab is flow cytometry, and the laboratory group has four flow cytometric analyzers, and access to 3 more analyzers and two cell sorters.

Function/Duties of Position

The primary responsibility of this position is to participate in a small team that operates the lab and institute’s flow cytometers, to acquire data from samples created by others in the laboratory group. This responsibility also includes general maintenance, calibration, trouble-shooting, and simple repair of the cytometers (QA), and quality control (QC) of the data before and during data acquisition.

 

• Coordinate with a data acquisition team, dynamically prioritizing tasks on the basis of data stability.
• Quality Assurance: Routine maintenance of cytometers, calibration (compensation matrix, CS&T).
• Quality Control: Assessment of data quality before and during data acquisition. Interfacing with sample owners to resolve issues.
• Data acquisition: Operation of any of the available 7 flow cytometric analyzers, or two cell sorters.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• 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.

• Must be comfortable using computers (Mac, PC).

Preferred Qualifications

• Major college courses in biological sciences.

• Some knowledge of flow cytometry, and experience in biohazard laboratory.
• Laboratory experience, especially in sample processing.

Additional Details

This advertised position is half-time (0.5FTE), in-person at the VGTI, and during regular business hours.

 

• Willingness to work with pathogens potentially dangerous to humans.
• Willingness to work in Biosafety Level 2 and 3 facilities.
• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours.
• Ability and willingness to work independently.
• Ability to carry and lift 35 lbs.
• Ability to stand for three continuous hours a day.
• Ability to work on computer for five continuous hours a day.
• Able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation.

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.edu