Research Assistant 2 at Oregon Health & Science University – Portland, Oregon

Research Assistant 2

US-OR-Portland

Requisition ID: 2025-36927
Position Category: Research
Job Type: Research
Position Type: Regular Full-Time
Posting Department: Chemical Physiology & Biochemistry
Posting Salary Range: $18.91 - $28.37 per hour, with offer based on experience, education and internal equity
Posting FTE: 1.00
Posting Schedule: Monday - Friday; occasional evenings and weekends as needed
Posting Hours: Variable, typically 8:00am - 6:00pm
HR Mission: School of Medicine
Drug Testable: No

Department Overview

The Frank Lab at OHSU is seeking to recruit a Research Assistant 2 (RA 2) to conduct research on leveraging chemical probes to interrogate cannabinoid signaling processes in the brain. Specifically, the RA 2 will be part of an interdisciplinary team studying cannabinoid signaling processes in cultured neurons and brain reward circuits. This NIDA-funded project utilizes cell culture, electrophysiology, and fluorescence experiments to make new discoveries.

The ideal candidate for this position will have an advanced degree in neuroscience, physiology, chemical biology, or related field, and possess undergraduate-level knowledge of organic chemistry. An ideal candidate will have more than one year of research experience in experimental techniques in cell culture, whole-cell electrophysiology, fluorescence imaging and/or rodent stereotaxic surgeries and behavioral assays. While experience in all these areas is not required, this is a highly multidisciplinary project so this position is particularly well-suited for a researcher who is excited to gain hands-on experience in a variety of research areas and techniques.

In addition to research responsibilities, the position involves significant lab management tasks, including ordering supplies, maintaining equipment, routine cleaning, stocking supplies, and more.

Function/Duties of Position

• Perform research experiments and analyze results for project within the lab.
• Write-up data and experimental results in publication format.
• Maintain lab equipment and supplies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Neuroscience, Physiology, Chemical Biology, or Related Field.

• 1+ year experience working on an independent project in a research lab environment.

• 1+ year experience working on an independent project in a neuroscience lab environment.

• Mammalian cell culture, Electrophysiology, and/or fluorescence imaging.

• Demonstrated success completing research projects.

• Proven ability to conduct research experiments.

• Familiarity with experimental design, including replicates, controls and reproducibility.

• Excellent reading and writing skills.

• Ability to learn new methods quickly and work independently.

• Fluent in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Powerpoint and Excel.

• Experience with MATLAB or Python is ideal.

Additional Details

A full time research associate 2 is expected to work 40 hours per week during normal working hours. However, some evening and weekend work will be necessary on occasion. Additional safety training will be required to work with cell lines/ infectious bacteria or viruses/ working within a BSL-2 environment.