Assistant Staff Scientist

OHSU•Portland, OR

39d

About The Position

This is an NIH grant funded position with Dr. Stuart Ibsen. We are developing 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 1-2 highly motivated and enthusiastic researchers 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. System automation - continuing development and finalization of an automated system to conduct the dielectrophoresis work. The goal is to automate the dielectrophoresis collection protocol to increase sample analysis throughput. This will involve basic robotics and automation programming in LabView. 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.

Requirements

MD, MD/PhD or a degree equivalent to a MD (such as DO, MBBS, MBChB) in a relevant field and 3+ years of relevant post-doctoral work experience
Specialty: Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Biology
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 use tact and diplomacy to maintain effective working relationships
Must possess energy and drive to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously

Nice To Haves

Ability to synthesize scientific projects and communicate science to diverse audiences
Oncology experience

Benefits

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
Up to 208 hours (equal to 25 full days) a year of paid time off
Commuter subsidies
Tuition reimbursement
Access to group life insurance, disability insurance and other supplemental benefits
Annual Raises
Growth/Development Opportunities
Employee discounts to local and major businesses