Translational science research is the birthplace and proving ground for new detection methods and treatments for cancer. One way to do that is to use actual patients’ cells to create models that can be manipulated and tested. The purpose of this position is to assist the Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care to develop patient-derived models of pancreatic cancer and assess drug responses in those models. The Research Assistant may also assist with clinical labwork that is part of a transplant procedure that can be life-changing for people with severe chronic pancreatitis.

As a team member of the Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care, you will work in the lab to compare PDMCs to each other and to actual patient drug response data to identify in vitro drug-response metrics that best predict drug responses in patients, helping to inform clinical care, even for current OHSU patients as well as in the future. You will be trained in growing primary cultures of tumor cells using advanced cell biology lab techniques, automated therapeutic screens, and histology techniques, as well as performing quantitative analysis of images, harvesting and processing mouse tissues, assisting in survival mouse surgeries, data entry/collection and laboratory housekeeping. You will be responsible for conducting some phases of projects independently and may help to design experiments.

Do you have strong organizational and communication skills and the ability to work under minimal supervision? Have you had experience with cell biology laboratory techniques? Are you thinking about a career in medicine? Then consider joining Oregon’s pancreas research headquarters on the South Waterfront to start building your future in the biomedical sciences.

(Please note: this position is NOT eligible for remote work.)

• Assist investigators with routine laboratory procedures under general supervision: preserve, propagate, and catalog human tumor tissues; prepare tissue for IF/IHC; isolate specific tumor regions (mouse and human tissue) by macrodissection; perform quantitative evaluation of IF images; perform therapeutic drug screens; data collection and data input with statistical evaluation.
• Routine laboratory housekeeping tasks, assist with facilities tasks, stocking supplies; attend lab meetings and present data.
• Assist in design of research experiments and troubleshooting; attend group meetings and seminars as relevant.
•  Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's Degree in relevant field OR

• Associate's Degree AND

• 3 years of relevant experience OR

• 4 years of relevant experience OR

• Equivalent combination of training and experience

• Computer skills; strong organizational abilities; excellent communication skills; strong data management skills; exceptional attention to detail; ability to multitask; ability to follow direction; must be able to work in a BSL-2 environment; demonstrated ability to work independently under minimal supervision; strong knowledge of laboratory techniques and cell biology.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Bioscience, in-lab training

Work is 40 hours per week, generally during normal working hours, however, some evening and weekend work will be necessary on occasion, and TPIAT procedure days will be longer. Additional safety training will be required to work with cell lines/patient samples/ infectious bacteria or viruses and working within a BSL-2 environment/working with mice. Animal handling is required. Additional training will be required to work in a clinical service lab.

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.