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

Senior Research Assistant

US-OR-Portland

Requisition ID: 2026-37567
Position Category: Research
Job Type: Research
Position Type: Regular Full-Time
Posting Department: Medicine - Infectious Diseases
Posting Salary Range: $43,388.80 - $65,062.40 per year with offer based on experience, education and internal equity
Posting FTE: 1.00
Posting Schedule: Monday - Friday
Posting Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm
HR Mission: School of Medicine
Drug Testable: No

Department Overview

The Division of Infectious Diseases’ mission is to provide expert care for patients with complex infections, conduct innovative research, and provide exceptional education.

The individual filling this position will investigate the mechanisms by which the fungal pathogen Coccidioides causes infections, with the ultimate goal to develop novel treatments targeting this fungus. The individual will be working as part of a multidisciplinary group studying Coccidioides pathogenesis, including a family of secreted proteases produced by the fungus and the fungus’ interaction with the host during infection. The individual filling this position will become familiar with biocontainment protocols and use methods to perform fungal culture, create fungal mutants through gene deletion with CRISPR/Cas9, light and fluorescence microscopy, gene expression analysis through RNA-seq, genomic DNA isolation, next gen sequencing, cell culture, macrophage infections, immunoprecipitations, protein gels, Western blotting, biochemical assays for protease activity; and other duties as assigned. The individual will be participating in projects designed to understand how the infectious fungus Coccidioides, the causative fungal pathogen of “Valley Fever” or coccidiomycosis, causes disease. This position represents an excellent opportunity to gain exposure to extensive molecular skills as well as genetics and microscopy approaches in a dynamic research environment. The individual will also be maintaining and performing general organization of the biosafety level 3 facility and participate in written and oral presentations of their research findings.

Function/Duties of Position

• Experimental studies on the pathogenesis of Coccidioides
• Laboratory management

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (4 yr) with major courses relevant to field of research
• 1-2 years of relevant research experience (molecular biology/cell culture/pathogenesis)
• -detailed lab record keeping
• -proficient with pipetting, PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis
• -ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-moving environment

Preferred Qualifications

• 2-3 years of relevant research experience (molecular biology/cell culture/pathogenesis)
• -in addition to required skills, ability to perform PAGE analysis, Western blotting, cell culture, mouse husbandry

Additional Details

• Work schedule: generally standard hours = 40 hours/week, 8-5, Monday-Friday. Schedule may also occasionally include nonstandard hours (nights/weekends) as required by the experimental studies, and occasional travel for conferences to present findings. Work is primarily conducted in a scientific laboratory, with part of the work conducted in a Biosafety Level 3 containment laboratory.
• Ability to conduct a full workday of laboratory science routinely. Some weekends and evenings may be required. Ability to carry and lift up to 40 lbs. Continuous use of computer keyboards and various pieces of lab equipment. Sitting or standing for more than six hours per day, working in a BSL3 laboratory with a respirator.

All are welcome
Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.