Job Description

Department Overview

The Program in Chemical Biology at OHSU has an open postdoctoral researcher position in the Beatty Lab. The fellow will conduct research at the interface of chemistry and infectious disease, working collaboratively to develop and optimize novel enzyme probes. Two long-term goals for this project are: i) to understand how mycobacterial pathogens synthesize their cell walls and ii) to study beta-lactam drug susceptibility in replicating and dormant Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium abscessus.

The ideal candidate will have expertise in chemical biology, biochemistry, microbiology, and infectious disease. The candidate is expected to have enthusiasm for applying new chemical tools towards understanding bacterial pathogenesis. An ideal candidate will have familiarity with mycobacterial pathogens, bioconjugation reactions, enzyme characterization, and proteomics. Projects in the Beatty Lab utilize skills in the areas of chemistry, molecular imaging, cell biology, protein engineering, bioconjugation reactions (e.g., “click chemistry”), biochemistry, and molecular biology. The candidate must be passionate about research, self-sufficient, and goal-oriented.

Function/Duties of Position

• Development of new chemical probes to study mycobacteria.
• Data analysis, preparation of written reports, and publication of findings in peer-reviewed journals.
• Generation of CRISPRi-modified strains of Mycobacterium abscessus.
• Measurement of drug susceptibility by MIC and FICI.
• Expert knowledge of the pathogen Mycobacterium abscessus. Must be familiar with current literature.
• Apply for external research funding, such as through the National Institute of Health.
• Prepare bacterial lysates and/or purified protein and use for biochemical assays.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in related field.
• Microbiology skills, including culturing BSL-2 pathogens.
• Expertise in the design and synthesis of fluorescent probes.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in biochemistry, chemical biology.

• Prior research experience.

• Less than 3 years postdoctoral experience.
• Microbiology experience, including culturing mycobacteria and BSL-3 mycobacterial pathogens.

Additional Details

Research will be performed on the OHSU campus in Portland, OR. Must be willing to work evenings and weekends as needed.

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 askhr@ohsu.edu