Research Assistant - Sleep & Health Applied Research Program (SHARP)

Department: Research Service

Reports To: Carolyn Tinsley, PhD

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Salary Range: $19.00-21.00 per hour

Location: VA Portland Health Care System

Summary

The goal of our laboratory is to investigate disturbances in the sleep and wake cycle in traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), Alzheimer's disease, and autism. Within the Sleep & Health Applied Research Program (SHARP, PI: Miranda Lim), rodent models are utilized to translate findings to human subjects.

A Research Assistant is needed to assist with portions of experiments in both animal models of disease and human subjects. This person will provide regular progress updates during lab meetings and will report to senior research staff. The ideal candidate is independent, highly organized, highly motivated, detail oriented, analytical, creative, and shows enthusiasm for neuroscience, neuropathology, and clinical research. Training will be provided, but the ideal candidate is expected to be a self-starter and will be expected to multi-task on several experiments at a time within our fast-paced laboratory. Strong candidates will be comfortable working both independently and in close teams.

The position requires on-site work, in person, with occasional web-based meetings to be held on-site. If the candidate is from out of state, a motivation to relocate to Portland should be described in the cover letter. This position is for 30-40 hours, in person, per week, with the opportunity to work additional hours via telework if mutually agreeable after an introductory period, usually 3-6 months, depending on the availability of federal research funds and ongoing research needs.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Support ongoing research studies under general supervision
• Assist with recruiting, scheduling, and coordinating visits with Veteran research participants (regular communications via phone and computer required)
• Conduct routine experimental functions for ongoing pre-clinical and clinical experiments (e.g. prepare study materials, configure equipment, score research data)
• Data entry into study databases
• Professionalism, communication, teamwork, and positive attitude required
• Work on-site regularly with occasional remote meetings as needed
  
  

Job Duties

• Set up and conduct experiments alongside the pre-clinical and clinical research teams. Pre-clinical research team:
• Assist with surgical procedures in rodents, tissue collection and processing, and animal behavioral testing. Clinical research team: Assist with study visits and scheduling, prepare research supplies and shipments, configure equipment, and process biospecimens
• Data collection and entry into shared databases
• Independently troubleshoot new techniques and equipment, and create documentation
• Meet regularly by phone, video, or in person, with research participants, supervisors, and other study team members.
• Prepare figures and documents for publications and/or presentations as requested
  
  

Required Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the experience, knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education And Experience

• BS/BA in relevant field or 1 year relevant research experience. College level coursework in Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, or Engineering.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Interest in neuroscience or medicine and desire to learn new techniques and procedures.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills.
• Ability to work independently and in teams.
  
  

Additional Information

Because this position is based in a VA facility, the Research Assistant II must secure a VA Without Compensation Appointment (WOC) prior to starting work, and must maintain a WOC Appointment in order to continue employment.

The VA's WOC process will be facilitated by the supervisor and processed through the VA Research and Development office. The screening process required to obtain a WOC may include a background check, a credit check, a physical, a drug test, and a TB test.

After the WOC process has been completed, the VA also requires several trainings prior to employees starting work.

Portland VA Research Foundation is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status such as race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin or age.

All PVARF employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 within 8 weeks of hire, unless medically exempt. Employees will be required to provide either proof of vaccination or an approved medical exemption prior to beginning work.