Research Assistant II

Job Title: Research Assistant II

Department: Research Service

Reports To: Carolyn Tinsley, PhD

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Salary Range: $23.52 - $24.30 per hour

Work Type: Onsite

POSITION 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, PIs: Miranda Lim, Jonathan Elliott, Carolyn Tinsley), rodent models are utilized to translate findings to human subjects.

A Research Assistant II 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.

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
• Other duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position has no direct reports.

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 knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

REQUIRED

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Biology, Neuroscience, Psychology, Chemistry, Engineering, Public Health, or a related discipline
• At least 1 year of relevant research experience. Relevant experience may include laboratory research, animal research, clinical research coordination, human subjects research, data collection, biospecimen processing, equipment setup, or research data management

PREFERRED 

• Master's degree in a relevant field
• 2+ years of relevant research experience 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY

• Ability to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of employee or others.

COMPUTER SKILLS - REQUIRED

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Must be able to enter, organize, review, and quality-check data in spreadsheets and study databases.
• Ability to learn and troubleshoot study-specific software, equipment interfaces, and data collection platforms.

COMPUTER SKILLS - PREFERRED

• Proficiency with PC-based computer systems and common communication platforms, including email, video conferencing, and team messaging tools such as Microsoft Teams or Slack.
• Experience with REDCap, electronic medical records, statistical software, database systems, or research equipment

LANGUAGE SKILLS - REQUIRED

• Fluency in English with strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and respectfully with Veteran research participants in person, by phone, and by email
• Ability to explain study procedures using approved language, follow phone and scheduling scripts, document participant communications accurately, and communicate questions or concerns promptly to senior research staff

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS - REQUIRED

• Ability to perform basic calculations needed for laboratory and clinical research operations, including unit conversions, percentages, averages, ratios, body-weight-based dosing calculations, solution preparation, and basic data summaries.
• Ability to accurately enter, organize, review, and quality-check numerical data using spreadsheets, study databases, and equipment-generated outputs.
• Ability to identify missing, inconsistent, or unexpected values and communicate concerns to senior research staff.

REASONING ABILITY - REQUIRED

• Ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions, apply established research protocols, and use sound judgment when working with research participants, animals, biological samples, equipment, and study data.
• Ability to recognize deviations from protocols, unexpected results, equipment problems, participant scheduling issues, or animal welfare concerns and escalate appropriately.
• Ability to organize competing tasks across multiple ongoing studies, troubleshoot routine problems, document procedures clearly, and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced research environment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Because this position is based in a VA facility, the Research Assistant 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.