Research Associate

As you take your first step onto a Western University of Health Sciences campus, each path, each person, each structure comes with a transformative story. WesternU is more than the practice of medicine. We are defined by character and culture.

At WesternU, you will discover humanism at the heart of every interaction: a warm welcome, a sincere smile, a positive word, a kind deed, a thoughtful gesture. You will see students work together on case studies; a parade of pets in campus parks; student clubs offering opportunities for career growth and community involvement; and faculty, staff and students designing their future and the future of WesternU. We display a collaborative mindset in how we operate, educate, and serve others.

Although, geographically, we are two campuses - as humanists, we are one: to enhance and extend the quality of life in our communities and achieve excellence in everything we do. We attract diverse, professional faculty, staff and students that thrive in an environment of humanistic health care education. Join our team of faculty and staff and make a difference.

Position Title

Research Associate

Position Control Number

T02347

Type of Position

Temporary / Contract

Position Status

Part-time

Department

14041-Dept. of Biomedical Sciences-NW

Campus

Western University Campus-Lebanon, OR

Job Summary

Seeking a motivated temporary part-time research assistant to support ongoing laboratory studies focused on antimicrobial peptides and their formulations. The position will primarily involve assisting with minimum inhibitory concentration ( MIC ) assays and peptide formulation preparation as part of antimicrobial drug discovery research. This role provides hands-on experience in microbiology and peptide-based therapeutics within an academic research environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge

• Performing antibacterial testing. Develop peptide formulations. Analysis of raw data and writing a report.

Skills

• Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently after training.

Abilities

• Ability to maintain organized laboratory records and follow experimental protocols.
• Ability to demonstrate a commitment to working in an organization that values and promotes humanism.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Ph.D. in biology, microbiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, or a related field.

Experience

• Basic laboratory experience with microbiological techniques or biochemical assays.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with antimicrobial susceptibility testing ( MIC assays).
• Familiarity with peptide handling, solution preparation, or formulation work.
• Prior experience working in an academic or biomedical research laboratory.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform minimum inhibitory concentration ( MIC ) assays to evaluate antimicrobial activity of peptides and small molecules against bacterial and fungal strains.
• Prepare and assist with peptide formulations, including solution preparation and basic formulation optimization.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and document experimental procedures and results.
• Assist with culture preparation, media preparation, and microbial handling under appropriate biosafety conditions.
• Support routine laboratory activities such as sterilization of materials, reagent preparation, and equipment maintenance.
• Assist in data collection and preliminary data organization for research reports or publications.
• Follow biosafety, laboratory safety, and institutional compliance guidelines.

Work Schedule

• Flexible schedule based on laboratory needs. Approximately 20 hours per week.

Benefits and Culture

We believe in making an impact in the lives of our employees, personally, and professionally. Every employee has different individual and/or family needs. We offer benefits that are both comprehensive and flexible to address your unique needs. We believe work-life harmony is positive and achievable.

We offer competitive salaries, generous paid time off, insurance plans, reimbursements, and retirement benefits. Additionally,

• Our faculty, staff, and administrators are 100% focused on student success.
• Our University culture creates the context for a nurturing and supportive environment.
• Faculty, staff, and students can expect to make deep, personal relationships within the University community.
• As a Faculty, Staff, or Student at WesternU, you can focus on work that you love, be your authentic self, and lead to the future with innovation in health sciences.
• WesternU’s core value of humanism encourages all to bring their whole self in all that they do.
• We are committed to fostering a culture of respect, equity, collaboration, and fun at all levels for all people!

Expected Pay Scale

Minimum

Minimum $33.00 Hourly

Maximum

Maximum $33.00 Hourly

Physical Demands

Do the essential functions of this job require lifting? Yes

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by any employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands and talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 15 pounds and must occasionally move or push by cart up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Describe Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Duties of the position are normally performed in a typical office setting and research lab. The noise level in this setting is usually moderate due to the proximity of various office machines.

Posting Information

• Posting Number: TC00517
• Posting Date: 06/25/2026
• Close Date: 06/25/2027
• Open Until Filled: Yes

Conditions of Employment - Background Check

To secure employment, successful fulfillment of a background check, including a criminal records check, may be required. Western University of Health Sciences will extend a conditional offer of employment, subject to rescission if the background check unveils disqualifying information or if it is found that the candidate deliberately withheld or misrepresented information. Non-completion of the background check to satisfaction may impact the ongoing employment of a current Western University of Health Sciences employee who received a conditional offer for the position.

Pay Transparency Act

Pay Transparency Act- Western University of Health Sciences is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range considers various factors in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The Expected Pay Scale is defined as the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Placement within the Expected Pay Scale is determined by internal equity and relevant qualifications.

Equal Opportunity Statement (EEO)

It is the policy of Western University to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment as required by law without regard to age, race, color, national origin ancestry, citizenship, ethnicity, creed, religion or religious creed, sex or gender (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, disability (both physical and mental) including HIV and AIDS, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), pregnancy (which includes childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), age, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other applicable protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.This policy applies to all employment practices within WesternU including without limitation, hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoffs, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. WesternU makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merits, and business needs at the time.

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of Recommendation #1
• Letter of Recommendation #2
• Letter of Recommendation #3
• Additional Applicant Document
• Required License/Certification

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of Recommendation #1
• Letter of Recommendation #2
• Letter of Recommendation #3
• Additional Applicant Document
• Required License/Certification

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you hear about this employment opportunity? Please provide the name of the website, individual, or organization.

  (Open Ended Question)

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