Research Assistant

Department Overview

The Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology comprises a cadre of interactive and interdisciplinary faculty with diverse expertise. Our faculty are active in the scientific community and within OHSU, serving on NIH study sections, as editors for prestigious journals, and as members on university committees and councils.

The overall mission of our department involves research and education, while bringing together basic and translational efforts through close collaborations with the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, the Oregon National Primate Research Center, and the VA Portland Health Care System as well as Providence Portland Medical Center.

Individuals hired into this role are permitted to apply and participate in OHSU PROPEL, a 1-2-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

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.

• 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).
• Other duties as assigned.

If selected, participate in OHSU PROPEL activities (no more than 5 hours/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.

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 experience, PCR.
• Rodent handling.
• Tissue culture 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.
• Fluorescent microscopy 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.

Personnel will need to work at lab benches, desks and/or microscopes for up to 4 hours at a time. Ability to perform repetitive lab manipulations (gripping, grasping, reaching, twisting), move lab equipment and animal cages under 25 lbs, perform PCR. Personal protective equipment must be worn as required. (Gloves, mask/respirator, eyewear, lab coat, etc).

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.

Why apply to OHSU?

We are Oregon's only public academic health center.

In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

All are welcome.

OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply.

To request reasonable accommodation, contact View email address on click.appcast.io