Research Associate - Senior Research Associate, Portland, Oregon

Oregon Health & Science University

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.


Research Associate - Senior Research Associate

US-OR-Portland

Job ID: 2024-29717
Type: Regular Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Research
Portland, OR (Waterfront)

Overview

OHSU’s Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research (CEDAR) center and Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care are working together to develop an exciting new type of cancer diagnostic test that combines microfluidic and microarray technology to pull cancer-derived nanoparticles straight from plasma. Our long-term goal is to bring nanoparticle-based diagnostics to the clinic for the first time. We are currently hiring for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Research Associate or Senior Research Associate. Applicants without a demonstrated track record of professional research outputs post-doctorate degree will be considered at the Research Associate level.

We are looking for applicants with expertise in Engineering or Biology to work in some of the following general areas:

• Development of biological particle separation techniques using dielectrophoresis technology – Using microelectrode array chips to recover cancer-derived nanoparticles from circulation (Gustafson, et al. 2021). This novel work will focus on the development and characterization of new nanoparticle recovery techniques using dielectrophoretic forces. These forces are created by microelectrode array devices that act on the unique dielectric properties of different particles (Ibsen et al. 2017). This work includes increasing particle collection efficiency, understanding the types of particles that are collected and how they can be separated, and developing an internal standard appropriate for different particle types. This position will utilize the high-end specialized dielectrophoresis equipment located here at OHSU. This will also involve quantitative fluorescent microscopy imaging, TEM imaging, immunostaining, and particle characterization.
• Cancer biomarker panel development – Evaluate the nanoparticle associated biomarkers that are collected for their ability to detect pancreatic cancer from plasma samples. Here the goal is to use the developed dielectrophoresis techniques to collect cancer-derived nanoparticles and evaluate their biomarkers for the ability to detect pancreatic cancer.

References:

1. Luna, Ramona; Heineck, Daniel; Hinestrosa, Juan Pablo; Dobrovolskaia, Irina; Hamilton, Sean; Malakian, Anna; Gustafson, Kyle T.; Huynh, Katherine T.; Kim, Sejung; Ware, Jason; Stimson, Ella; Ross, Christian; Schutt, Carolyn E.; Ibsen, Stuart. “Enhancement of Dielectrophoresis-Based Particle Collection from High Conducting Fluids Due to Partial Electrode Insulation.” Electrophoresis, In Press (2023)
2. Hamilton, Sean; Shea, Delaney; Ibsen, Stuart*, Brasino, Michael*. "Onchip dielectrophoretic recovery and detection of a lactate sensing probiotic from model human saliva." Electrophoresis, Volume 44, Issue 3-4: pp. 442-449. (2023) *Co-corresponding authors
3. Luna, Ramona; Heineck, Daniel P.; Bucher, Elmar; Heiser, Laura; Ibsen, Stuart. "Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Negative Dielectrophoresis Induced Particle Trajectories." Electrophoresis, Volume 43, Issue 12: pp. 1366-77 (2022) (Cover)
4. Gustafson, Kyle; Huynh, Katherine; Heineck, Daniel; Bueno, Jesus; Modestino, Augusta; Kim, Sejung; Gower, Austin; Armstrong, Randall; Schutt, Carolyn; Ibsen, Stuart. “Automated Fluorescence Quantification of Extracellular Vesicles Collected from Blood Plasma using Dielectrophoresis.” Lab on a Chip, Volume 21, Issue 7: pp. 1318-1332. (2021) (Back Cover)
5. Sarno, Benjamin; Heineck, Daniel; Heller Michael J.; Ibsen, Stuart. “Dielectrophoresis: Developments and Applications from 2010 to 2020.” Electrophoresis, Volume 42, Number 5, pp. 539-564 (2021). (Cover)
6. Ibsen, Stuart; Wright, Jennifer; Lewis, Jean; Kim, Sejung; Ko, Seo-Yeon; Ong, Jiye; Manouchehri, Sareh; Vyas, Ankit; Akers, Johnny; Chen, Clark; Carter, Bob; Esener, Sadik; Heller, Michael."Rapid isolation and detection of exosomes and associated biomarkers from plasma." ACS Nano, Volume 11, Issue 7, pp. 6641-6651 (2017).

Responsibilities

• SRA: PhD in relevant field and 1 year of relevant experience OR Master’s degree in relevant field and 5 years of relevant experience OR Bachelor’s degree in relevant field and 9 years of relevant experience
• RA: Master’s degree in relevant field and 3 years of relevant experience OR Bachelor’s degree in relevant field and 5 years of relevant experience
• Excellent communication, analytical and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team while being collaborative in resolving problems
• Experience handling chemical and biologically hazardous materials
• Knowledge of policy and regulations applicable to the laboratory, including but not limited to safety, animal and radiation
• Technical proficiency, scientific creativity collaborative ability, and independent thinker
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with a high performing work group
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks at one time
• Demonstrated ability to learn new and innovative processes quickly
• Must possess energy and drive to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to maintain effective working relationships
• Ability to operate complex scientific equipment and develop and troubleshoot complex experimental protocols
• Demonstrated ability to build productive cross functional collaborations both internally and externally
• Ability to analyze short and long term project needs

Qualifications

• 2 or more years in a research position, including at least 1 year of supervisory and project management experience
• Expertise in immunostaining, biomarker quantification, ELISA assays, western blot assays, fluorescence imaging. An interest in learning about and using new technology

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