Assistant Staff Scientist at Oregon Health & Science University – Portland, Oregon

Assistant Staff Scientist

US-OR-Portland

Requisition ID: 2026-38516
Position Category: Research
Job Type: Research
Position Type: Regular Full-Time
Posting Department: Medicine - Infectious Diseases
Posting Salary Range: $68,307.20 - 113,838.40 per year with offer based on experience, education, and internal equity
Posting FTE: 1.00
Posting Schedule: Monday - Friday
HR Mission: School of Medicine
Drug Testable: No

Department Overview

The Staff Scientist is responsible for independently designing and performing experimental protocols that generate publication quality data and for managing experimental progress of other team members. They will be part of the leadership of a multidisciplinary group studying Coccidioides pathogenesis, with a focus on a family of secreted proteases and host-fungal interactions during infection. The ultimate goal is to understand how the infectious fungus Coccidioides, the causative agent of “Valley Fever” or coccidioidomycosis, causes disease and to discover new drug targets to develop new treatments. The position requires expertise in microbial culture techniques, reverse genetics and other molecular biology techniques, murine infection models, and cell culture. The majority of the experimental work will be conducted at biosafety level 3 containment. Additional responsibilities include training new staff on protocols and procedures, including how to work at biosafety level 3 containment. This position offers future opportunities for scientific collaboration, primary research and technique development, and manuscript authorship.

Function/Duties of Position

• Design and execute experiments interrogating the molecular determinants of virulence of Coccidioides
• Draft and edit figures, grants, and manuscripts.
• Train other lab members on BSL3 protocols.
• Other general lab duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in microbiology, molecular biology, mycology or related fields with 2-3 years of relevant postdoctoral experience
• Possesses a significant or high command of a professional sphere of knowledge.
• Performs research and shares leadership responsibilities consistent with goals of the research program.
• Contributes to science at a considerable level as determined by the discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3 + years postdoctoral experience
• Experience performing intranasal mouse infections, fungal culture, working at BSL3 containment
• Strong publication record including in the field of virulence/pathogenesis or mycology.

Additional Details

• Schedule is Monday-Friday with an 8-hour workday in a research lab setting. Schedule may vary depending on project requirements and may infrequently involve working during evenings/weekends and occasional travel for conferences to present findings. Busy work environment with strict deadlines, interruptions, multiple demands and people interactions.
• Position may require: the ability to carry and lift up to 40 pounds; 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.