Research Engineer 2

Department Overview

The Oregon National Primate Research 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, a pond, 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

Highly productive behavioral neuroscience laboratories seek a full-time Research Engineer to oversee the custom construction and maintenance of hardware necessary to implement state-of-the-art in vivo electrophysiology recordings in non-human primates and operant behavioral experimental designs; to configuring and install hardware and other data acquisition equipment; to program complex operant behavioral and data acquisition using National Instruments Labview, Python or other programming platforms on both Macintosh and Windows based data acquisition systems; to perform sound and video editing as needed for experimental collected media; to provide database design, maintenance, input and data analysis; to provide data mining, statistical analysis and reporting of analysis in publication-ready formats and to consult with outside engineering partners on new modes of research.

Key Responsibilities & Performance Standards

Data Acquisition: Design behavioral instrumentation to interface with computer controlled acquisition of real-time ingestive and physiological data from non-human monkeys. The position requires custom software development to the flexible to changing protocols and scientific aims. The software requires a virtual "interface" for technical staff to input experimental variables, check the operation of the equipment remotely and assess the behavior of monkeys in real-time. Responsibility includes training and supervision of technicians in learning the various programs and the basics of troubleshooting the equipment should errors be detected. Must be able to maintain computer and electrical hardware and suggest appropriate upgrades when necessary. Database Programmer: Program data acquisition software at the point of the hardware interface to capture behavioral data as specified by the PI. Program data summaries from the "raw" real-time data. Oversee the daily storage of data remote from the acquisition computers. Provide data summaries and searches as required. Data Analysis: Program scripts in Excel and other common spreadsheet formats for data inquires and formatting for export to statistical environments such as SAS, SPSS, etc. Transfer acquired data in query-based tables to interface behavioral, clinical, physiological, endocrinological, imaging, genetic, genomic, proteomic and metabolic data generated in the experimental subjects. Work closely with bioinformaticians at OHSU and other Institutions and University to provide web-based inquiries and repositories of tabular data. Neurophysiology experimental Design: Develop and design a wireless in vivo electrophysiology recording system to be used in awake, behaving non-human primates. Responsibilities include researching current technology and designing and implementing a system that can collect in vivo electrophysiology data from non-human primate during 1. Consumption of alcohol and 2. During performance of touchscreen behavioral tasks. Maintain and update experimental design as needed to address experimental needs. Training of all staff persons to use the recording system. Neurophysiology Collection: Perform in vivo electrophysiology recordings in non-human primates in the home-cage (wireless) or while seated in a primate chair. Responsibilities include training animals to use recording chair, daily recordings, and cleaning and maintenance of all equipment related to the project. Oversee the daily storage of data from behavior recordings and provide data summaries as required. Other duties as required or assigned, to fulfill the mission of these laboratories

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in relevant field

Experience:

• 3 years of relevant experience

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Must think strategically and work accordingly producing effective results and working efficiently within the time constraints of the position

• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral formats

• Ability to work independently and in small group settings

• Ability to interact in a positive and productive manner and to work efficiently and skillfully with a variety of diverse staff

• Ability to prioritize work demands and coordinate research protocols with other staff

• Organizational skills and careful attention to details to satisfactorily complete and perform job duties

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master's Degree in relevant field

Experience:

• 5 years work experience in Neurophysiology/Research Laboratory setting

OR

5 years work experience in Biological/Research Laboratory setting

Experience with non human priimates

• 5 years of programming and hardware development

5 years of relevant experience

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Proven track record in programming innovation involving behavioral research with animal models

• Background in mechanical, programmatic and data analysis methods

• Track record of working with scant logistical support and minimal supervision, while improving the quality of experimental procedures and data collection

Additional Details

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Normal work schedule will be from Monday to Friday, may also include some weekend work

• Hours are from approximately 8 to 5pm; however, early morning and evening work is required by scope of the position

• Some work is performed in both the laboratory setting with potential risk of exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals and dry ice and in areas where there is potential risk of exposure to zoonotic agents through injury, by direct contact with animals or their tissues and body fluids, or by contact with equipment contaminated by animals or their tissues and body fluids.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & EQUIPMENT USAGE:

• Able to lift/move equipment/animals weighing up to 30 lbs

• Ability to use computer keyboard

• Ability to physically perform tasks involving handling, moving, or trouble-shooting in NHP rooms under BSL-2 conditions, and other procedures (this may involve moving on wet and/or slick surfaces, through narrow corridors, between rows of cages)

All are welcome

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.