Staff Scientist

Department Overview

The Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute (VGTI) at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) has assembled a multidisciplinary team of scientists to respond to serious viral disease threats, including AIDS, chronic viral infection-associated diseases, newly emerging viral diseases and infectious diseases of the elderly. Our programs are intended to span the continuum between basic and clinical science, in which discoveries are rapidly advanced from the level of molecular and cellular biology through animal models and ultimately into clinical testing. 

The development of this unique program in immunology and virology provides an important training opportunity for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at OHSU. This is why an important part of our mission is the training of young scientists in newer academic disciplines emerging at the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute.

Function/Duties of Position

This position will support all ongoing and future research pertaining to the biology of cytomegaloviruses that involve molecular biology, cell biology and immunology techniques using rat, mouse, human and monkey cells and viruses. 

• Oversees all hESC/HPC experiments including mentoring and training all lab personal for the following procedures: hESC culture and maintenance, hematopoietic differentiation, HPC isolation and infection with HCMV, latency and reactivation assays.
• Analyzes all HPC experimental data using statistical applications and prepares manuscript ready data tables and figures.
• Training and mentoring of staff, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
• Participate in writing grants and scientific manuscripts.
• Additional responsibilities contributing to the advancement of the goals of the laboratory as assigned.

The successful candidate will have experience in planning, managing, and executing the research needs of the project. Expertise in culturing and differentiating human embryonic stem cells, for use in latency and reactivation assays, is required. 

Required Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in relevant field and and a minimum of 7 years of relevant post-doctoral work experience.
  • Internal candidates must have completed 3-5 years at the Assistant Staff Scientist level.     
• Expertise in human embryonic stem cell maintenance and differentiation.
• Next generation sequencing, cloning of the CMV, molecular and cell biology techniques, immunofluorescence.
• Willingness to work with pathogens potentially dangerous to humans.
• Willingness to work in Biosafety Level 2 and 3 facilities.
• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours.
• Ability and willingness to work independently.

Preferred Qualifications

• Grant writing skills, ability to write peer review accepted papers.
• General knowledge of grant management.

Additional Details

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.

Physical Demands and Equipment

• Ability to carry and lift 35 lbs.
• Ability to stand for three continuous hours a day.
• Ability to work on computer for five continuous hours a day.
• Able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation.

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]