Research Assistant in Portland, Oregon at Oregon Health & Science University

Research Assistant

US-OR-Portland

Requisition ID: 2026-42283
Position Category: Research
Job Type: Research
Position Type: Regular Full-Time
Posting Department: Behavioral Neuroscience & Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry
Posting Salary Range: $49,587 - $70,449 per year, with offer based on relevant qualifications and internal equity
Posting FTE: 1.00
Posting Schedule: Monday - Friday, occasional weekend and evening work
Posting Hours: Variable, 8:00am - 5:00pm
HR Mission: School of Medicine
Drug Testable: No

Department Overview

This position supports ongoing research in the laboratory of Dr. Tamara Phillips. The individual will assist with research projects that utilize behavioral, molecular, and pharmacogenetic tools to determine mechanisms involved in drug and alcohol intake, drug and alcohol responses and other addiction-related traits in mice. This work will also involve studying potential therapies for addiction by testing their effects on behaviors and examining the importance of specific areas of the brain. Studies will focus on hypotheses derived from research studying the role of genetics, individual differences, acute and chronic behavioral drug effects and molecular genetic findings.

Function/Duties of Position

• Behavioral testing of mice using a variety of assays including, but not limited to measuring locomotor activity, motor coordination, body temperature, 2-bottle choice drinking, single bottle limited access drinking, operant self-administration, drug conditioned place preference, drug conditioned taste aversion, cognitive testing, and other behavioral assays, as dictated by the research aims. These may be part of collaborative endeavors.
• Preparation and planning for biomedical experiments in a timely manner. This will include: obtaining subjects, obtaining supplies, reserving space and equipment, assuring the proper environment for subjects, creating data collection sheets, aiding with the development of the experimental protocol, obtaining final approval of the experimental protocol before moving forward, and other duties as assigned/necessary to ensure successful study completion. Preparation may include discussion with Drs. Phillips and Reed, Phillips Lab staff, animal care staff, and/or other laboratories.
• Data collection and data entry for biomedical experiments. Physical and electronic records will be kept for each study in an orderly and timely manner. All records must accurately, legibly and completely record experimental data and results of procedures used, to allow for replication by others. Deviations from protocol or issues during experiments must also be documented. Experimental data entry is not considered complete until double-checked. All results are to be provided to the lab manager/PI within a timely manner.
• Lab/equipment maintenance, supply ordering.
• Record keeping, data analysis and archiving; data figure preparation.
• Other duties as needed, including: brain surgery, brain harvesting, brain slicing for immunohistochemical (IHC) or structural analysis, IHC analysis for c-fos or other proteins, radioimmunoassay for specific hormones or neurotransmitters, DNA sampling and extraction, quantitative PCR genotyping, among others as determined with development of the research.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree 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.

• Proficiency with MS Office software.

• Demonstrated knowledge of statistical software and its use for data analysis.

• Applied expertise with laboratory animal handling.
• Proven track record of performing detailed laboratory work and working collegially in a group setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• B.S. in Biology, Experimental or Physiological Psychology, or Neuroscience field.
• 2-5 years of laboratory experience performing mouse behavior protocols.
• Strong statistical expertise.
• Advanced proficiency in small rodent handling, husbandry, and behavioral testing.
• Experience with pharmacological research, including drug administration via subcutaneous (SC), intraperitoneal (IP), and/or intravenous (IV) injection routes.
• Experience independently performing end-to-end tissue processing workflows, including tissue collection, tissue sectioning (cryostat/microtome), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and PCR-based genotyping.
• Demonstratable experience with advanced statistical analysis (e.g., ANOVA, t-tests, regression); production of publication-ready data figures and graphical representations.
• A proven track record of autonomy in experimental execution, troubleshooting protocols, and managing daily laboratory workflows with minimal supervision.

Additional Details

Largely Monday - Friday, eight hours per day; however, some weekend/holiday work and longer workdays should be expected, based on research requirements. Specific hours of work on each day should be expected to be variable.

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.