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 candidate’s primary responsibility (70%) will be running behavioral assays in support of the lab’s 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

• Bachelor's degree in one of the biological sciences, physics, chemistry, or related area such as psychology, or equivalent years of relevant lab 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 nation’s 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 Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. OMRF follows an innovative cross-disciplinary approach to medical research and ranks among the nation’s 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 café, 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.