Senior Research Associate

Department Overview

The Division of Oncological Sciences (DOS) at OHSU's Knight Cancer Institute focuses on understanding cancer through various research methods. The ultimate goal is to improve cancer prevention, detection, and treatment for everyone. The division's research is conducted by a collaborative team of scientists, faculty, trainees, and staff from diverse backgrounds. They collaborate to translate lab discoveries into tangible benefits for cancer patients and the broader community.

Their research is built around teamwork and covers four key areas:
Precision Systems Oncology, Cancer Data Science (including computer biology, bioinformatics, and biostatistics), Chemical Biology and Experimental Therapeutics, and Cancer Population Science. A major priority is to understand cell plasticity, which is the ability of cells to change their type or identity. Researchers are particularly interested in how cells transition from normal to cancerous, from cancer to spreading (metastasis), and from metastasis to becoming resistant to treatment.

Our Commitment to Diversity: OHSU is committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community. We are dedicated to promoting inclusion and multiculturalism by having outstanding researchers of diverse backgrounds work together on multiple projects.

Every Knight Cancer employee is expected to embody our guiding principles:

• We act BOLDLY—Breakthroughs require pushing the boundaries of science, exploring new frontiers, and thinking differently
• We SUPPORT each other—Respect leads to trust, which leads to excellence
• We work as a CONNECTED team—We must leverage our collective brain power to conquer cancer because no one individual can do it alone

An exciting opportunity for a Senior Research Associate position at the intersection of immunology, dermatology, and cancer biology is available in Dr. Joshua Moreau’s laboratory in DOS. The Moreau Lab investigates the biology of tissue-resident lymphocytes and their role in the pathogenesis of cancer and inflammatory skin diseases.

The successful applicant will lead grant-funded projects to investigate the immunobiology of B cells and their role in skin disease. This work will combine in vivo transgenic mouse models with human tissue experiments, including multiomic approaches. Significant support for computational analysis of spatial and scRNA-sequencing data is available in the Moreau Lab as well as the collaborative and interdisciplinary environment of the Knight Cancer Institute.

Additionally, the Senior Research Associate will assist in overseeing day-to-day laboratory management duties. These may include training and mentorship of junior staff, coordinating collaborative research projects, ensuring laboratory compliance, and organizing laboratory protocols.

Laboratory Research Project Management:
Independently develop and manage research experiments, determining the most suitable methods to be used. Interpret and perform complex data analysis on experimental results and determine whether they are consistent with goals. Ensure that research team members maintain accurate and detailed records of all experimental procedures, data collections and analysis performed. Maintain a high level of professional expertise through familiarity with current scientific literature.

As needed, develop innovative techniques and experimental systems to meet research program goals.

• PhD and 1 year of relevant experience OR Master's degree and 5 years of relevant experience OR Bachelor’s degree and 9 years of relevant experience
• Specialty:
  Immunology, Cell Biology, Dermatology, Cancer Biology, or other relevant background
• Experience with in vivo murine models
• Experience in immunology assays, flow cytometry, in vivo experiments (including transgenic mouse models)
• Excellent communication, analytical and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team while being collaborative in resolving problems
• Passion for science and inquiry
• Ability to synthesize one’s own results and others to formulate hypotheses
• Ability to prioritize…