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

Senior Research Assistant

US-OR-Portland

Requisition ID: 2026-40006
Position Category: Research
Job Type: Research
Position Type: Regular Full-Time
Posting Department: Department of Pediatrics
Posting Salary Range: Commensurate with experience, education and internal equity. Minimum: $ 48,506, Midpoint: $ 61,880, Maximum: $ 75,254 @ 1.0 FTE.
Posting FTE: 1.00
Posting Schedule: .50 to 1.0 FTE. Specific FTE rate will be discussed prior to job offer.
Posting Hours: Schedule will include some weekend or evening work depending on experimental end point needs.
HR Mission: School of Medicine
Drug Testable: No

Department Overview

The Department of Pediatrics is recruiting for a new Senior Research Assistant. This position will support a research program focused on identifying oncogenic signaling pathways and therapeutic vulnerabilities in cancer, with an emphasis on kinase-driven mechanisms and translational applications.

Function/Duties of Position

The Senior Research Assistant will lead and execute experimental projects with a moderate to high degree of independence. Responsibilities include designing and performing molecular and cellular experiments, conducting in vivo studies, analyzing and interpreting data, and contributing to manuscripts and grant applications. The individual will also contribute to a collaborative and well-organized laboratory environment, including training junior personnel and supporting efficient research workflows.

The laboratory employs a range of molecular, cellular, and functional perturbation approaches, including CRISPR, RNAi, and small molecule–based strategies, to investigate cancer signaling and therapeutic vulnerabilities.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and motivated to contribute to a rigorous and collaborative scientific program. Individuals who thrive in a fast-paced research environment and are excited by discovery-driven and translational science are encouraged to apply.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's in biological sciences field or related field AND 1 years of relevant experience OR Equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize competing deadlines.
• Commitment to rigorous record keeping and reproducibility.
• Collaborative, team-oriented mindset.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in biological science, biochemistry or biomedicine.
• 3 or more years of relevant laboratory experience.
• Experience executing functional perturbation experiments (e.g., CRISPR, RNAi, or small molecule studies).
• Experience with in vivo tumor models and/or pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies.
• Experience with data analysis, figure preparation, and scientific presentation.
• Prior contribution to manuscripts or grant applications.
• Experience mentoring or supervising learners.

Additional Details

• Location of employment is within a mammalian cell culture, biochemistry and molecular biology research lab.
• Work involves possible exposure to viral vectors (retroviral and lentiviral), non-replicating infetious viral particles, malodorous vapors, toxic chemicals and acids, presence of carcinogenic substances and human and animal tissues and fluids, including whole animals.

*Apply here online. Upload cover letter and resume. Please be sure to include months and years (MM/YYYY format) to the resume for jobs/work experience.*

**OHSU Employees be sure to apply using your OHSU email.**