Career Center

Department Overview

The Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute (VGTI) at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) has assembled a multidisciplinary team of scientists to respond to serious viral disease threats, including AIDS, chronic viral infection-associated diseases, newly emerging viral diseases and infectious diseases of the elderly. Our programs are intended to span the continuum between basic and clinical science, in which discoveries are rapidly advanced from the level of molecular and cellular biology through animal models and ultimately into clinical testing. The development of this unique program in immunology and virology provides an important training opportunity for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at OHSU. This is why an important part of our mission is the training of young scientists in newer academic disciplines emerging at the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute.

Function/Duties of Position

We are a large nonhuman primate (NHP) research program at the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute (VGTI) focused on 1) the collaborative development of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-based vaccine vectors for prevention and treatment of infectious and neoplastic diseases of global importance, including (in rough order of emphasis) HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, Hepatitis B, influenza and prostate cancer, and 2) the development of novel approaches (both vaccine and non-vaccine) to cure established HIV/SIV infection.

To facilitate our goals the research group is comprised of faculty level Program Managers as well as an Administrative Support Group which includes a Laboratory Manager, Project Administrator (budget and compliance) and support staff for administrative duties, supply, procurement, reagent and inventory management, as well as a dedicated Flow Cytometry Group which supports the research focuses described below. Of note, our group interacts on a daily basis with the NHP Pathology Lab and the Infectious Disease Resource (IDR), and closely collaborates with other VGTI labs.

The position will involve handling and processing human and non-human primate samples that may contain infectious agents. Additional duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Under occasional supervision, assist with the design of research studies and procedures in support of research goals and grant commitments.
• Assumes responsibility for specific components of research projects and seeks advice as necessary.
• With advanced knowledge of research practices, contributes to the development of methodology/ Standard Operating Procedures.
• Contributes to the planning, design, manuscript writing, grant or regulatory documentations, modification of studies and experiments.
• Provides functional guidance for operations and staff. Serve as a mentor to junior staff and may be involved in the daily supervision of laboratory/research staff in routine procedures.
• Interacts directly with external research sponsors.
• Oversees and facilitates training of junior staff.
• Communicates with junior personnel regarding daily priorities (facilitate which assays take priority, if applicable).
• Additional duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Education: Master's Degree in relevant field AND 3 years of relevant experience OR Bachelor's Degree (4 yr.) with major courses in field of research AND 5 years of relevant experience

Experience: Flow cytometry analysis

Job related knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Must be comfortable using computers (Mac, PC)
• Willingness to work with pathogens potentially dangerous to humans
• Willingness to work in Biosafety Level 2 and 3 facilities
• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours
• Ability and willingness to work independently
• Ability to carry and lift 35 lbs.
• Ability to stand for three continuous hours a day
• Ability to work on computer for five continuous hours a day
• Able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Major college courses in biological sciences
• Experience: Immunology background and training
• Job related knowledge, skills, and abilities: Laboratory experience, especially in sample processing

All are welcome