Senior Research Associate

Department Overview

The position is for a senior research associate responsible for experiments on MR1 antigen

presentation of mycobacteria in a BSL-2 setting. The position will require expertise in cell biology and cellular immunology techniques such as flow cytometry; expansion of human CD8+ T cells; sterile technique and cell culture of human cell lines, including BEAS-2B and THP-1; generation of primary human dendritic cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells; working with primary human airway epithelial cells and primary human alveolar macrophages; RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, and RT-qPCR; growing mycobacteria and performing accurate titers; using XRad320; and keeping accurate records of experiments in a digital lab notebook.

The Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine (PACCSM) provides expert diagnosis

and care of patients with lung diseases in our Pulmonary Clinic; allergy, asthma, and immunologic disorders in our Allergy Clinic; and of critically ill patients in our Intensive Care Unit. As part of PACCSM, the Sleep Medicine Program provides collaborative care for patients with sleep disorders. In addition to our commitment to outstanding clinical care, PACCSM is home to several outstanding research programs, conducting basic science research as well as clinical trials across a broad spectrum of subject matter. Our educational mission includes teaching on many levels, including but not limited to our fellowship programs in Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep, and Critical Care Medicine. More information is available on our website: https://www.ohsu.edu/pccm.

Function/Duties of Position

• Plan, design, perform and analyze experiments for characterizing CD8+ T cell mediated killing of mycobacteria 

• Sterile culture and expansion of human cell lines and primary human cells, including dendritic cells, macrophages, and airway epithelial cells 

• Maintain accurate lab notebooks 

• Other general lab duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• PhD in relevant field AND 1 year of relevant experience OR
• Master's Degree in relevant field AND 5 years of relevant experience OR
• Bachelor's Degree in relevant field AND 9 years of relevant experience.

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Design, setup and complete experiments using flow cytometry
• Analyze flow cytometry data using FlowJo 
• Sterile culture technique
• growing and titering mycobacteria
• Experience performing RT-qPCR 

Preferred Qualifications

• 15+ years of relevant experience in basic science research
• Experience working with human CD8+ T cells and MR1 · Direct experience generating and working with dendritic cells
• >4 years of experience performing flow cytometry 
• >4 years of experience performing interferon gamma release assays
• >1 year experience with XRad320 

Additional Details

Monday-Friday 4 hour workday in a research lab setting. Schedule may vary depending on project requirements and may infrequently involve working during evenings/weekends. Busy work environment with strict deadlines, interruptions, multiple demands and people interactions.

Why apply to OHSU?

We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington.
All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact [email protected]