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

Postdoctoral Scholar

US-OR-Portland

Requisition ID: 2026-41237
Position Category: Postdoctoral
Job Type: Postdoctoral
Posting Department: School of Dentistry, Dr. Justin Merritt Lab
Posting Salary Range: Salary for this position aligns with the NIH scale, commensurate with qualifications and experience
Posting FTE: 1.00
Posting Schedule: Monday - Friday
Posting Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm
HR Mission: Academics
Drug Testable: No

Department Overview

The School of Dentistry shares the mission of the Oregon Health & Science University to provide educational programs, basic and clinical research, and high quality care and community programs. We strive to foster an environment of mutual respect where the free exchange of ideas can flourish. The dental school prepares graduates in general dentistry and the dental specialties to deliver compassionate and ethical oro-facial health care.

Read more about the School of Dentistry: http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/schools/school-of-dentistry

Function/Duties of Position

This is an NIH T32 training grant-supported postdoctoral research position. The successful candidate will work independently to investigate the biochemical and genetic mechanisms supporting posttranscriptional gene regulation in the human oral pathobiont Streptococcus mutans. He/she will be responsible for most of the planning, implementation, and data interpretation associated with his/her research. Thus, the candidate will be expected to work independently with attention to detail and strong record-keeping. The goal is to understand how protein-protein interactions control mRNA targeting and processing by the S. mutans RNase J complex. To achieve this goal, we have developed a unique genetic system to augment in vivo purification of specific RNase J heteromeric complex isotypes present in the cell. Typical laboratory techniques often require expertise with northern blot, western blot, protein expression/purification, coimmunoprecipitation, gene expression analysis, targeted mutagenesis, and microscopy.

Demonstrable prior experience with the human microbiome and/or synthetic biology approaches is preferred. As a postdoctoral scholar, the candidate may also be involved with the training and supervision of students and junior staff as well as play an integral role in the management and supply ordering for the laboratory. Assistance with the development and preparation of grants/manuscripts will also be expected.

Required Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in (genetics, biochemistry/molecular biology, microbiology, biomedical engineering, or another relevant field)
• Demonstrable experience with some or all of the following: bacterial genetics, protein chemistry, proteomics, coimmunoprecipitation, RNA purification/analysis, and gene expression/transcriptomics
• Grant and/or manuscript preparation experience
• Planning, implementation, and data interpretation experience
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Organizational and time management skills that maintain timeliness of work and accurate prioritization
• Ability to train and supervise students and junior staff
• Attention to detail and strong record keeping experience/skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree and/or postdoctoral research involving bacterial genetics and biochemistry
• Protein expression and purification
• Experience/knowledge of the microbiome, especially the oral microbiota
• Experience with oral bacterial genetics