Research Assistant 2 at Oregon Health & Science University – Portland, Oregon

Research Assistant 2

US-OR-Portland

Requisition ID: 2025-36926
Position Category: Research
Job Type: Research
Position Type: Regular Full-Time
Posting Department: Chemical Physiology & Biochemistry
Posting Salary Range: $18.91 - $28.37 per hour, with offer based on experience, education and internal equity
Posting FTE: 1.00
Posting Schedule: Monday - Friday; occasional evenings and weekends as needed
Posting Hours: Variable, typically 8:00am - 6:00pm
HR Mission: School of Medicine
Drug Testable: No

Department Overview

The Frank Lab at OHSU is seeking to recruit a Research Assistant 2 (RA 2) to conduct chemistry research on developing chemical probes to interrogate cannabinoid signaling processes. Specifically, the RA 2 will synthesize organic compounds and apply them in an interdisciplinary project studying cannabinoid-opioid signaling processes in the brain. This NIDA-funded project utilizes organic chemistry, cell culture, fluorescence imaging, and electrophysiology experiments to make new discoveries.

This position is specifically tailored for chemical synthesis. The ideal candidate will have an advanced degree in organic chemistry or chemical biology and more than one year of experience working in a research lab environment in Chemistry. Basic knowledge of chemical reaction planning, setup, work-up, purification, and characterization is required.

In addition to research responsibilities, the position involves lab management tasks, including ordering supplies, maintaining equipment, routine cleaning, stocking reagents, and more.

Function/Duties of Position

• Perform research experiments and analyze results for project within the lab.
• Write-up experimental data and manuscripts.
• Lab managerial duties: maintain lab equipment, supplies, and space, ordering.
• 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.
• Basic knowledge of organic chemistry, reaction planning, setup-up, work-up, purification, and characterization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, or Related Field.

• 1+ year experience working on an independent project in a research lab environment.

• 1+ year experience working on an independent project in a chemistry lab environment.

• Demonstrated success completing research projects. Proven ability to conduct research experiments.

• Familiarity with experimental design, including replicates, controls and reproducibility.

• Excellent reading and writing skills.

• Ability to learn new methods quickly and work independently.
• Fluent in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Powerpoint and Excel.

Additional Details

A full time research associate 2 is expected to work 40 hours per week during normal working hours. However, some evening and weekend work will be necessary on occasion. Additional safety training will be required to work with cell lines/ infectious bacteria or viruses/ working within a BSL-2 environment.