Postdoctoral Scholar in Portland, Oregon at Oregon Health & Science University

Postdoctoral Scholar

US-OR-Portland

Requisition ID: 2026-41787
Position Category: Postdoctoral
Job Type: Postdoctoral
Position Type: Regular Full-Time
Posting Department: SM. Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology
Posting Salary Range: $69,275 - $84,127 per year, with offer based on experience, education and internal equity
Posting FTE: 1.00
HR Mission: School of Medicine
Drug Testable: No

Department Overview

The laboratory of Teresa Zimmers is looking for a postdoctoral associate to study molecular mechanisms of pancreatic cancer. The ideal candidate will have experience with murine models of cancer and pre-cancer, bulk/single cell/spatial transcriptomics, immunofluorescence imaging and advanced microscopy including confocal imaging, 2D and 3D cell culture approaches, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) cell culture and organoids, as well as general expertise in most typical molecular biology techniques and cell culture.

Studies will use murine models of pancreatic cancer and human biospecimens from patients with and without pancreatic cancer. Techniques used include orthotopic implantation of tumor cells/fragments to the pancreas, 2D/3D/organoid culture, and molecular and cellular interrogation of murine and human biospecimens. Molecular approaches will include RNAseq, single nucleus RNAseq, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, Western blotting, qPCR.

The ideal candidate will want to interrogate mechanisms beyond the current focus of the laboratory in order to develop an independent line of investigation. The candidate will plan, execute, analyze, and present experiments and data. The person fulfilling this position will also write manuscripts and proportionately assist with general lab duties including shared responsibilities for equipment, ordering, and mentoring of trainees.

Function/Duties of Position

• Carry out research studies in support of the principal investigator’s funded research on cancer cachexia, including designing and performing experiments, collecting data, analyzing data, presenting data, preparing, presenting and publishing results.
• Help mentor trainees and students rotating in the lab.
• Perform a modest share of general lab duties.
• Engage in growth and learning opportunities and discovery studies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in related field.

Skills and Abilities

• Experience with mouse models.

• Experience in a basic science or translational laboratory and demonstrated success at carrying projects through to publication.

• Ability to design and execute experiments reproducibly.

• Ability to analyze data with rigor.

• Willingness to learn new approaches, techniques.

• Adheres to standards of responsible conduct of research.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with mouse models of pancreatic cancer and pre-cancer.

• Demonstrated success in studying pancreatic cancer.

• Ability to conduct in vitro and in vivo studies, including 2D, 3D, and organoid cultures.

• Ability to generate organoids from iPSC cells.

• Ability to assess tissue/organoid morphology through advanced imaging and immunofluorescence.

• Ability to conduct and analyze bulk, single cell, and spatial transcriptomics.

Additional Details

Will work collaborative within a laboratory group with hours that might occasionally be irregular to accommodate experimental timelines. Will work in the RLSB at OHSU. Will be able to travel to conferences to present research. Will work with mouse models, mouse tissues, human tissues, and human clinical data. Will work with recombinant DNA, recombinant viruses, genetically modified mice, chemotherapy drugs, other hazardous chemicals and biospecimens.

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.