Senior Research Assistant

Oregon Health & Science University • Portland, OR

89d

About The Position

Research assistant for basic science research study to assess changes in sympathetic nerves and the heart in various models of cardiac dysfunction. Work with a collaborative team to understand cellular and molecular mechanisms of sympathetic neural plasticity and the impact of nerves on cardiac cells and function. Maintain excellent laboratory records and a safe research environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in science with major courses in field of research.
• 1 to 3 years of research experience, including rodent survival surgeries and generation of sympathetic neuron and/or cardiac myocyte cultures, and experience with flow cytometry.
• Willingness to conduct hands on rodent research.
• Excellent hand-eye coordination and ability to do fine detail work.
• Experience with small animal surgery.
• Experience with primary cultures or acute dissociation of tissue for experiments.
• Strong computer skills (including Microsoft and Excel experience).
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize work demands, make good judgements, and manage time appropriately.
• Willing to learn and perform new tasks.
• Demonstrated evidence of strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and also work effectively as part of a team.

Nice To Haves

• Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Neuroscience, or related field.
• Experience with immunohistochemistry, nerve density analysis, iPSC cells, and measuring metabolic activity.
• Histology and cell culture.

Responsibilities

• Isolate and culture cardiac myocytes and sympathetic neurons.
• Learn and perform protocols to culture sympathetic neurons, cardiac myocytes, and co-cultures for proximity labeling studies.
• Introduce DNA encoding the APEX-tagged SAP-97 construct into cultured myocytes for the proximity labeling studies.
• Work with the proteomics core to identify hits from the labeling.
• Carry out survival surgery in mice including implantation of minipumps.
• Assess physiological parameters including ECG and blood pressure.
• Isolate immune cells from hearts exposed to AngII hypertension and quantify immune cells by flow cytometry.
• Assist in keeping the laboratory in good working order, maintaining supplies, preparing solutions, and assisting other team members as needed.
• Assist with the mouse colony as needed.
• Take primary responsibility for ordering rats for neonatal culture experiments.
• Maintain complete and accurate laboratory records of study procedures and results; back up data regularly, including images; assist with analysis of results.
• Regularly report experiment progress to supervisor and other team members; participate in lab meetings; assist with presentation of study results in abstracts, papers, or presentations.
• Perform all compliance and training requirements for research staff at OHSU.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: Bachelor's degree