Description

Research Assistant

US-OR-Portland

Requisition ID: 2026-41392
Position Category: Research
Job Type: Research
Position Type: Regular Full-Time
Posting Department: SM. Molecular Microbiology Immunology
Posting Salary Range: $48,214 - $68,681 per year, with offer based on experience, education and internal equity
Posting FTE: 1.00
Posting Schedule: Monday - Friday, occasional evening and weekends as needed
Posting Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm
HR Mission: School of Medicine
Drug Testable: No

Department Overview

A position is open for a Research Assistant in the lab of Dr. Rauch in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at OHSU. Research efforts in our labs are focused on understanding immune mechanisms of the intestinal epithelium in response to bacterial pathogens. We are looking to hire a researcher to assist in research, ordering, laboratory and animal colony management.

 

The candidate must possess an ability to work independently and problem-solve as needed with general supervision. Wet lab skills are required. Proficiency with animal work and/or tissue/organoid culture and/or microscopy and a training background in the fields of virology, microbiology, or immunology is required. 

 

Individuals hired into this role are permitted to apply and participate in OHSU PROPEL, a 12-year workforce training program aimed at broadening access to careers in biomedical research. OHSU PROPEL provides professional development to Research Assistants who are intent on earning their doctoral degree as part of their long-term career goals. Program activities include attendance at scientific seminars, journal clubs, short courses, meetings with research and career mentors, and completing milestones (e.g., submitting graduate program applications, designing a research poster, and delivering an oral presentation, etc.). Involvement in the program aims to enhance scientific identity formation and empower scholars to effectively navigate their career transitions.

Function/Duties of Position

• Maintain animal colonies (set up breeders, wean litters, euthanize animals, genotype, update database, communicate with lab members about problems).
• Lab management (ordering, dish washing, autoclaving, inventory).
• Assistance in the labs research projects (perform tissue culture or mouse experiments).
• If selected, participate in OHSU PROPEL activities (no more than 5 hours per week), including seminars, short courses, and mentor meetings, to enhance research experience and career development. Apply program insights to research tasks and career planning, meeting key milestones that demonstrate proactive engagement and support professional growth.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's in relevant field; OR

• Associate's AND 3 years of relevant experience; OR 

• 4 years of relevant experience; OR

• Equivalent combination of training and experience.

Skills and Abilities

• Wet lab, PCR.

• Animal handling.

• Confocal microscopy experience.

• Proficiency with standard office software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in the Biological Sciences with classes in Immunology and Microbiology.
• 2 or more years of relevant experience in microbiology or immunology research.

• Experience with animal colony management.

• Proficiency with molecular biology techniques.

• Organoid culture experience.

• Tissue culture experience.

• Previous contribution to scientific publication(s).

Additional Details

Work is generally 40 hours per week, but may be more or less from week to week. Work is primarily during normal working hours, but evening and weekend work is often necessary to take care of mice involved in time-sensitive experiments.

 

Additional safety training is required to work with cell lines in a BSL-2 environment. Working with laboratory animals is a requirement of this position.

 

Benefits 

• Healthcare for full-time employees covered 100% and 88% for dependents.
• $50K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee.
• Two separate above market pension plans to choose from.
• Paid time off - 208 hours per year, prorated for part-time.
• Extended illness bank - 64 hours per year, prorated for part-time.
• 9 paid holidays per year.
• Substantial Tri-Met and C-Tran discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Childcare service discounts.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Employee discounts to local and major businesses.

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