Research Technician IIIIII Beckstead Lab

Position Overview and Responsibilities
The Beckstead Lab in the Aging & Metabolism Research Program is looking for a full time Research Technician at the I/II or III level to conduct behavioral research in mice associated with substance abuse and neurodegenerative diseases.

The candidates primary responsibility (70%) will be running behavioral assays in support of the labs NIH-funded projects. This will include planning executing and organizing data from operant food and drug self-administration and also locomotor and cognitive assays. The applicant will be expected to act as a liaison with animal care personnel ensure compliance with safety and animal use oversight and monitor the health and sometimes the diet of experimental mice.

Other duties (30%) are varied and will include ordering supplies and reagents speaking with vendors and acting as a liaison with the OMRF Preclinical Behavior and Surgical Suite.

Opportunities for future growth include performing survival surgeries on rodents (including jugular catheter implantation virus injections and cannulae placement) studies involving immunohistochemistry (staining tissue sections imaging) and aiding in recording of electrical activity in single neurons.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelors degree in one of the biological sciences physics chemistry or related area such as psychology or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Candidates must have a basic understanding of laboratory procedures and experience or the ability to learn statistical procedures as well as methods and practices typical to neuroscience.
• Must possess advanced computer skills (or the ability to learn those skills) including data acquisition Microsoft Office software order processing and methods for backing up data. Additional useful skills include molecular biology immunohistochemistry imaging and microscopy.
• Must be reliable and detail oriented and also be an effective communicator and follow through on job-related tasks.
• Must demonstrate a high level of scientific rigor and be able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Ethical behavior is a essential as the Beckstead lab and OMRF strive to provide a safe and supportive environment for all employees.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years of relevant lab experience.
• Experience handling and working with rodents.

Work Hours
Typically Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 5:00PM but can vary with requirements of behavioral studies.

OMRF Overview
Founded in 1946 the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) is among the nations oldest most respected independent nonprofit biomedical research institutes. OMRF is dedicated to understanding and developing more effective treatments for human diseases focusing on critical research areas such as Alzheimers disease cancer lupus multiple sclerosis and cardiovascular disease. OMRF follows an innovative cross-disciplinary approach to medical research and ranks among the nations leaders in patents per scientist.

Located in Oklahoma City a city that offers a dynamic and flourishing downtown area with low cost of living short commute times and a diversified economy OMRF has been voted one of the Top Workplaces since the inception of the award. This achievement has been accomplished thanks to OMRF individuals who share a unified understanding that our excellence can only be fully realized with a collective commitment to our mission . . . so that more may live longer healthier lives. Successful candidates will demonstrate commitment to this mission.

OMRF Benefits
We offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits to full-time employees including medical dental and vision insurance minimum 8% company retirement contribution vacation and sick leave and paid holidays. All employees have access to our onsite caf free onsite fitness center with access to personal trainer free parking and much more! Relocation assistance available for those located 50 miles outside of Oklahoma City metro. Learn more about our benefits here.

OMRF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.