Postdoctoral Scholar

US-OR-Portland

Requisition ID: 2026-40333
Position Category: Postdoctoral
Job Type: Postdoctoral
Position Type: Regular Full-Time
Posting Department: SM. Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology
Posting Salary Range: $66,932 -$81,282 per year, with offer based on experience, education and internal equity
Posting FTE: 1.00
Posting Schedule: Monday - Friday, occasional nights and weekends
Posting Hours: variable, typically 9:00am - 6:00pm
HR Mission: School of Medicine
Drug Testable: No

Department Overview

The Ruhland Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scholar to investigate the role of dendritic cells in skin homeostasis, tissue immunity, and anti-tumor immune responses. Our research focuses on understanding how specialized dendritic cell populations maintain immune balance in healthy skin and how these same cells regulate immunity during tumor development and cancer immunotherapy. We combine cutting-edge approaches in immunology, mouse genetics, tumor models, single-cell analysis, spatial biology, and human tissue studies to uncover mechanisms governing dendritic cell function in health and disease.

The successful candidate will join a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment and will have the opportunity to develop innovative research projects at the intersection of tissue immunology and cancer biology. Specific projects will be tailored to the candidate's scientific interests and expertise while addressing fundamental questions related to dendritic cell biology, immune regulation, and anti-tumor immunity.

Function/Duties of Position

The postdoctoral scholar will serve as a scientific leader on assigned projects and will be expected to independently design, execute, analyze, and interpret experiments. The candidate will participate in collaborative studies within the laboratory as well as with researchers across OHSU and the Knight Cancer Institute. Opportunities for career development, scientific networking, and interdisciplinary collaboration are integral components of this position.

• Design and conduct independent research projects related to dendritic cell function in skin homeostasis and anti-tumor immunity.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data and present findings at laboratory meetings, institutional seminars, and scientific conferences.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Contribute to the development of fellowship applications and other funding opportunities.
• Mentor graduate students, research assistants, and undergraduate trainees as appropriate.
• Stay current with emerging scientific literature and contribute to the intellectual environment of the laboratory.
• Maintain accurate research records and comply with institutional research standards and regulatory requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in related field.

• Experience independently performing immunological techniques, including multicolor flow cytometry and immune cell phenotyping.

• Applied expertise in murine models.

• Applied expertise in dendritic cell immunoassays.
• Skills in project management, immunology, cancer biology, and flow cytometry.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology, Cancer Biology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology.

• Experience with independently setting up and optimizing dendritic cell vaccination protocols.

• Experience independently executing human dendritic cell differentiation.

• Advanced microscopy.

• Immunofluorescence staining and imaging analysis.

Additional Details

Work is generally 40 hours per week during normal working hours, however, evening and weekend work will be necessary. Additional safety training may be required to work with cell lines/ infectious bacteria or viruses/ working with in a BSL-2 environment/working with research animals.

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.