Job Description

Department Overview

The Advanced Light Microscopy Core at the Jungers Center was established in 2009 through collaborative efforts of the University Shared Resources Program and the Departments of Neurology and Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, the Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, and the Oregon Hearing Research Center. Technical expertise and instrumentation was pulled into a shared resource to serve OHSU researchers in need of fluorescence microscopy.

Function/Duties of Position

This position is for a senior scientist role in the University Shared Resources Advanced Light Microscopy Core, with broad subject-matter expertise across multiple biomedical research subspecialties. The highly experienced bench scientist and light microscopy technology expert provides OHSU investigators with dedicated, specialized guidance to design and execute their light microscopy-based projects with rigor and reproducibility across a broad range of modalities and subject matter. This role requires prior experience at the faculty or staff scientist level at a higher education research institution. In this role, this scientist can also collaborate and provide independent work on grants and projects.

Drawing on extensive personal bench experience, this scientist guides all phases of experiments detecting proteins and RNA using light microscopy, including rigorous project planning, reproducible sample preparation, and labeling validation, as well as image data acquisition and analysis. In this role, the scientist consults with OHSU investigators, collaborates with their research personnel at all levels, and participates in mentoring trainees. As an experienced educator, this scientist also disseminates technical know-how on light microscopy approaches.

Using exceptional technological expertise, this scientist stays informed about cutting-edge developments in light microscopy applications and evaluates new technologies for their potential as investment opportunities and as new services.

Required Qualifications

Drawing on extensive personal bench experience, this scientist guides all phases of experiments detecting proteins and RNA using light microscopy, including rigorous project planning, reproducible sample preparation, and labeling validation, as well as image data acquisition and analysis. In this role, the scientist consults with OHSU investigators, collaborates with their research personnel at all levels, and participates in mentoring trainees. As an experienced educator, this scientist also disseminates technical know-how on light microscopy approaches.

Using exceptional technological expertise, this scientist stays informed about cutting-edge developments in light microscopy applications and evaluates new technologies for their potential as investment opportunities and as new services.

Required Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience operating light microscopes that deploy basic to advanced imaging modalities.
• Experience with training others in operating light microscopes.
• Experience with quantitative analysis of digital imaged data.
• Experience with training others in digital image analysis.
• Demonstrated experience developing protocols to detect proteins and RNA in specimens derived from cell culture, tissues, and model organisms to analyze quantitatively with light microscopy.
• Can advise researchers on experimental design of projects involving light microscopy that follow foundational principles of rigor, reproducibility, and integrity.
• Deep understanding of a wide range of light microscopy modalities, including laser-scanning and spinning disk confocal imaging, deconvolution, super-resolution microscopy, and live-cell imaging.
• Skilled in operating basic to advanced microscope setups, including widefield, spinning disk, and laser-scanning confocal microscopes.
• Can advise principal investigators on the relative merits of different imaging approaches as they pertain to their specific research questions.
• Can advise principal investigators on sample preparation most suitable for detecting proteins and RNA with light microscopy techniques.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD and 15 years’ relevant experience.
• Extensive work experience in biomedical research across multiple fields, including neuroscience and cancer research.
• Teaching experience in graduate-level courses.
• Has supervised junior researchers and trainees.
• Demonstrated contributions to technological advances in labelling specimens for light microscopy.
• Proficient in maintaining and troubleshooting light microscopes.
• Deep understanding of interrogating and modeling disease states through genetic analysis and manipulation.
• Broad understanding of spatial biology platforms.
• Proficiency with designing gene expression constructs to mark proteins and cells for light microscopy analysis.
• Proficiency with Zeiss ZEN and Nikon NIS Elements software platforms for microscope operation.
• Proficiency with at least two commercial image data analysis packages (e.g., Arivis, Imaris, Visiopharm, or Volocity).

Additional Details

Apply online. Please be sure to upload a Cover Letter and Resume/CV.

We offer a variety of benefits on top of joining a thriving organization:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage at no or low cost to employees
  • Covered 100% for full-time employees and 88% for dependents
• Several retirement plans to choose from with contributions from OHSU
• 25 days a year of paid time off
• 8 days of sick time off
• Commuter subsidies
• Tuition reimbursement
• Access to group life insurance, disability insurance and other supplemental benefits
• Annual Merit Increase
• Growth/Development Opportunities
• Employee discounts to local and major businesses

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