Core Scientist

Department Overview

OHSU is Oregon's only public academic health center and an institution of higher learning, with schools of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry and public health. OHSU is also a national research hub, with thousands of scientists developing lifesaving therapies and deeper understanding of health and disease. Across the missions of healing, teaching and discovery, OHSU turns discoveries into lifesaving care.

The Advanced Light Microscope Core is the university-wide shared resource for OHSU researchers to access technical expertise in designing light microscopy projects and access to instrumentation and software to execute them. Services provided include technical consulting on sample preparation and instrument selection, assistance with image data acquisition, training for unsupervised instrument operation, and assistance with workflow development for data analysis.

• Consults with investigators and users in person, virtually, or by email about technological aspects of experiments in light microscopy, involving sample preparation, instrument selection, instrument operation, and data analysis. When indicated, composes well‑written follow‑up emails that summarize the discussion and include protocols and/or links to online resources for materials and further information.
• Develops workflows and/or trains users in data analysis on the software platforms accessible on core workstations. When indicated, provides trainees with access to further training materials and/or step‑by‑step instructions to replicate the workflow unsupervised.
• Develops imaging protocols and/or trains users in the operation of core equipment. Applies and explains general and advanced principles underlying the technology. Provides trainees with handouts and, when indicated, step‑by‑step instructions to replicate the procedure unsupervised.
• Partners with other core staff to perform routine maintenance of shared instruments and workstations accessible in the core. Assists with troubleshooting instrument operation and overseeing service engineers during the repair of existing instruments and the installation of new instruments.
• Partners with other core staff to perform slide scanning or other image data acquisition services per users’ requests. Maintains efficient work practice, follows standard operating procedures, and meets service timelines.
• Attends presentations and reads literature to stay current with technological developments in light microscopy.
• Assists with instrument evaluation and new service development. Assists with the development of core‑internal training materials and operation manuals for users.
• Partners with other core staff to promote core services to the research community at locally hosted events, e.g., by presenting posters and talks. Participates in core‑hosted outreach events.
• Lends special technical expertise in light microscopy techniques to investigator projects for defined tasks and under set expectations and milestones.

• PhD in relevant field;
  OR

• Master's Degree in relevant field AND 5 years’ experience or core-relevant expertise;
  OR

• Bachelor's in relevant field AND 9 years of relevant experience or core-relevant expertise.

  • Minimally, a Bachelor’s degree is required. Direct OHSU core experience may be weighed more heavily than other experience.

• Understands and can explain technically advanced applications in microscopy to investigators.
• Communicates with inquiring investigators about capabilities and technical features of all imaging and analysis platforms in the core as they pertain to their experimental goals.
• Can evaluate all platforms in the core for suitability to achieve an investigator’s imaging goals.
• Can advise users on imaging experiment design with a focus on rigor and reproducibility.
• Can provide advice to investigators as it pertains to sample preparation.
• Participates in evaluation of new technologies and instruments.
• Assumes responsibilities for maintaining and troubleshooting a subset of imaging systems in the core.
• Demonstrated skills with the ZEISS ZEN and Arivis software platforms for image data analysis.

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