Postdoctoral Researcher

Department Overview

The Oregon National Primate Center (ONPRC) is located 12 miles west of the OHSU main campus, and sits on 162 acres of land featuring forested areas, research and administration buildings, indoor and outdoor animal housing, and 2-mile perimeter walking path. Our mission is to improve human health and the quality of life through the support of nonhuman primate research programs that advance our knowledge of the causes, preventions, treatments, and cures of debilitating diseases.

Function/Duties of Position

The Vrooman laboratory at the Oregon National Primate Research Center is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher to support NIH-funded studies focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying abnormal placenta development with assisted reproductive technologies, like in vitro fertilization.

The postdoctoral researcher will conduct live animal procedures under supervision of veterinarians and animal care staff, establish and apply trophoblast cell culture and flow cytometry assays, and perform other rigorous and high-quality molecular bench work in an academic setting.

Specific responsibilities include: performing minimally invasive procedures with rhesus macaques under supervision of animal care and veterinary staff, conducting molecular biology and microscopy protocols of high complexity, collecting, analyzing, and presenting data, manuscript preparation and writing, and maintaining a clean, well-functioning, and safe laboratory. Attention to detail, maintaining accurate data records, and excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.

This position reports directly to Dr. Lisa Vrooman but must be able to independently manage their assigned research projects and perform research tasks with minimal errors. It is considered an essential worker position that requires reporting in-person during inclement weather or other emergencies when applicable to time-sensitive experiments involving animals or animal welfare. They must also be able to professionally and effectively interact with other staff and trainees associated with their projects. Desire to mentor high school, undergraduate, graduate students, and new staff highly preferred. The postdoctoral researcher will be highly encouraged to publish first-author work, present at regional and national conferences, and participate in other career development opportunities.

• Perform molecular, cellular, and developmental biology experiments of high complexity: e.g., DNA/RNA extraction, qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, light microscopy, cell culture, flow cytometry, etc.
• Conduct and manage coordination of non-human primate experimental procedures, including perform/schedule blood draws, vaginal swabs, administration of oral and injectable medications, monitoring menstrual cycles, collecting and processing biological samples. Assisting in and ensuring compliance with animal use.
• Data analysis and record keeping: Maintain up-to-date lab notebook with recorded protocols and data, update lab protocols/SOPs, create graphs, and perform basic statistical analysis. 
• Writing & Presentations: Present data in weekly meetings. Prepare and write manuscript drafts. Perform literature searches relevant to research projects.
• Laboratory maintenance: Contributing to a clean and safe laboratory environment by informing staff of low levels of reagents or broken equipment, preparing one’s own or shared working reagents, keeping bench areas and equipment clean and compliant with safety standards, staying compliant with required trainings.
• Mentorship: Help provide guidance, supervision, and mentorship to interns/students and other research staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., or D.V.M./Ph.D.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong background knowledge in women’s health and reproductive biology.

• General understanding of basic molecular biology techniques, e.g., DNA and RNA extraction, real-time quantitative PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.

• Ability to synthesize data/results and others’ findings/literature to formulate and test hypotheses.

• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal format.

• Ability to work independently, one-on-one, and in a small group setting in a positive and productive manner.

• Ability to prioritize work demands and coordinate work schedules/protocols with other staff.

• Work efficiently and skillfully with a diverse group of staff and collaborators.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint.

• Experience with statistical programs to run t-tests, ANOVAs, and basic descriptive statistics.

• Organizational and time management, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills to satisfactorily perform job duties independently and meet mutually agreed upon deadlines.

• High level of self-motivation, reliability, and integrity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. degree in Biology, Physiology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, or related field.

• Strong publication record with first-author publications.

• Minimum of 4 years of performing hands-on biomedical research.

• Demonstrated passion for women’s health research.

• Strong desire to work with animal models and demonstrated commitment to animal welfare.

• Submission of a first-author manuscript.

• Presentation at a national or international conference.

• Experience working with non-human primates.

• Experience with mammalian cell culture systems.

• Experience with histology, microscopy, and quantitative image analysis.

• Demonstrated ability to mentor students or other research staff.

Additional Details

Work schedule is routinely 8:30am-4:30pm or 9am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday. Experiments may require the ability to temporarily work outside these core hours, including occasional early morning (~7am), evening (~8pm), weekend, and holiday work as required by time-sensitive experiments within the scope of position. This position requires arrival on-time and reliable transportation to the lab. Remote work from other sites or from home is not anticipated but will be considered on a case-by-case basis with approval from PI. There may be optional opportunities for travel for experiments, conference presentations, or outreach work on behalf of OHSU/ONPRC.

Benefits 

• Healthcare for full-time employees covered 100% and 88% for dependents.
• $50K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee.
• Two separate above market pension plans to choose from.
• Paid time off - 208 hours per year, prorated for part-time.
• Extended illness bank - 64 hours per year, prorated for part-time.
• 9 paid holidays per year.
• Substantial Tri-Met and C-Tran discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Childcare service discounts.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Employee discounts to local and major businesses.

Working Conditions

Experiments and desk work are performed inside the laboratory with potential risk of exposure to chemical and biohazardous materials, open flame, compressed gases, and cold temperatures. Work with animals also comes with risk of physical injury (scratches, bites), allergy (direct and indirect exposure to animal hair/dander/tissues), and exposure to zoonotic agents (direct and indirect contact with animals). Eating and drinking must occur outside the laboratory for safety reasons.

Physical Demands and Equipment

Handling live animals, administering oral medications or injections to live animals, collecting and processing of tissue samples including blood, performing euthanasia, performing dissections on euthanized animals, perform micromanipulations and experimental procedures without shaky hands, stand for up to a three hour period, sit for up to a three hour period, lift/move equipment/reagents weighing up to 40 lbs, maneuver 140lb gas tank onto dolly and push, use a computer mouse and keyboard, read from a computer monitor for up to a three hour period, look into microscope occulars for up to a three hour period, see clearly (with glasses or contact lenses is ok).

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 [email protected]