Vivo Animal Research Investigator - NCWR at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Job Description:

  Position Details Req ID: req18251 Position Title: Vivo Animal Research Investigator - NCWR Position Type: Staff Full-Time Position Number: GS9182 OSU Campus: Tulsa - Center for Health Sciences/OSU Medicine Department: Center for Wellness and Recovery Location Address:
1111 West 17th Street
Tulsa , Oklahoma, 74107
United States Hiring Supervisor:   Hiring Range:
(Contingent upon available funding): Commensurate with education and experience Work Schedule: Typically 8 hrs/day, 5 days/week Faculty Appt Period: Job Summary: THIS POSITION IS GRANT FUNDED. 



Job Summary: 

TheNCWR is currently expanding its in vivo research team with openings atall levels. Significant hands-onwork in the animal vivarium is expected from all candidates. For the moresenior levels, strategic and managerial duties are also expected.

Additional Responsibilities:
-Familiarity and/or willingness to learn and apply specialized techniques such as DREADD, imaging methods, microscopic techniques, etc., to on-going research at the NCWR.
-Be willing to learn new behavioral techniques and animal models and apply them independently or as part of a team.
-Familiarity with software related to behavioral testing and data collection.
-Attention to detail in record-keeping and lab safety including the use of controlled substances in experiments.


The National Center for Wellness and Recovery(NCWR) at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences (OSU-CHS) waspublicly launched in 2017 with a mission to inspire hope for people sufferingwith chronic pain and substance use disorders through treatment and research.The NCWR was the recipient of nearly $200M from Purdue Pharma as part of theirsettlement with Oklahoma and the funds are being leveraged to advance thescience of addiction and pain.  Currentlywe are making multi-million-dollar investments in neuroscience research anddrug discovery competencies including medicinal chemistry, molecular biology,animal models, and pharmacology. We are uniquely organized within OSU-CHS toallow researchers to be highly focused on the urgent mission of the NCWR as apriority. NCWR researchers and clinicians are expected to seek ways to rapidlytranslate new mechanism-based treatment modalities to patient care. The NCWR iscurrently building a $21M state-of-the-art animal facility, as well as a $50M, 30,000sq ft pharmaceutical research facility as part of a new medical district in downtownTulsa. The NCWR endorses a culture of teaching, learning, and collaboration,thus creating opportunities for our people to grow in their careers throughdirect interactions on multidisciplinary teams with colleagues.  This is an opportunity to join a growing teamthat is focused on making a positive impact in the lives of those sufferingfrom addiction and/or chronic pain.


Environmental Hazard:

Possible exposure to hazardous material, hot and cold, blood borne pathogens.Exposure to rodents.


Physical Requirement:

Ability to lift and carry 20 pounds, stoop, reach, stand, walk, finger, grasp,feel, talk, hear, see, and perform repetitive motions with or withoutreasonable accommodations. Special Instructions to Applicants   Education & Experience Position Qualifications: Requirements: 

-Bachelors, Masters, or a PhD in Neuroscience, Pharmacology, or related field.
-In vivo animal research experience is required.
-Experience may include post-doctoral, academic and industry working in an animal laboratory
-A broad knowledge of animal anatomy,physiology, and biochemistry to help develop and support in vivo models toscreen therapeutics and devices being developed for various clinicalindications. 


Skills, Proficiencies, and Knowledge:
-Experience in pre-clinical rodent models, for example, substance use disorders and pain, models of behavior including CPP, and anxiety, as well as physiological measures including respiration and GI motility.  
-Excellent understanding of IACUC-related concepts and will be familiar in AAALAC standards for laboratory animal care and use. 
-Design and perform experimental models related to pain and addiction behavior in rodents, including preparation of protocols and IACUC interactions.
-Provide input into new equipment purchases, set-up, and training as needed, necessary for NCWR to have a superior level of capabilities that support state-of the-art and flexible in vivo operations in neuroscience with emphasis on pain and addiction.
-Maintain the cleanliness and readiness of the equipment used by NCWR in the vivarium as needed.
-As needed, develop and validate behavioral models and methods that support NCWR's multidisciplinary research projects and exploratory research.  This may include modification of known literature procedures or developing novel techniques.
-Interact within multi-disciplinary research teams to establish screening tree criteria and test novel compounds in appropriate animal models for efficacy and side effects.  Various methods of dosing will be required.
-Collaborate with NCWR analytical scientists to develop and apply in vivo pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics techniques.  This will include blood spot analysis, dosing, time-dependent blood sampling, and analysis.
-Write grant proposals, present at internal meetings, plan budgets, and supply technical content to patent applications and other documents.
-Supervise staff as needed, including PhDs and non-PhDs, including goal setting, mentoring, and allocating resources.


Preferred:

-Operational and interpretational knowledge of multiple animal models and equipment is highly preferred. 
-Grant, publication, and report-writing experience.
-Industrial Experience.
-Experience in rodent behavior, dosing, sampling, documentation and report writing, PK/mass balance studies, as well as protocol reading and writing as needed.
-Experience with laboratory animal surgery and post-operative care, veterinary staff consultation, cursory necropsy and euthanasia.