The OHSU-PSU School of Public Health (SPH) is aligned with the American Public Health Association in declaring racism a public health crisis, and our School is committed to becoming an antiracist SPH. We are working to center social justice in our internal and external work as a school and are committed to addressing structural and institutional racism, and to holding ourselves accountable to this work.
This Research Assistant will conduct research in the laboratory of Dr. Paul Tratnyek, in the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health (SPH), at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). Some of the Assistant's work will be co-supervised by Prof. Rick Johnson, also of the SPH.
The position will involve a variety of laboratory-based activities related to studies of contaminant fate and remediation in environmental media (especially, groundwater). The activities will include preparation and operation of reactors (batch or columns containing aquifer sediment), sampling of the column pore water and analysis by gas or liquid chromatography, and data analysis including kinetic modeling. Specialized activities may include LabView programming for automation of instrument operation, geochemical modeling of reactor solution chemistry, etc. Additional responsibilities will include maintenance and operation of anaerobic glove boxes, updating laboratory supplies and their inventories, using and developing standard operating procedures, and maintaining laboratory safety protocols. These responsibilities are not all-inclusive and additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed.
Function/Duties of Position
Preparation and operation of batch and column reactors for determining the rates and products of chemical reactions in environmental media.
Sampling of reactors and analysis of target chemical concentrations by UV-vis spectrophotometry and gas- or liquid-chromatography.
Analysis of chemical concentration data, including using calibration curves and basic modeling of kinetics.
Maintenance and operation of anaerobic glove boxes, updating laboratory supplies and their inventories, using and developing standard operating procedures, maintaining laboratory safety protocols.
Documenting and reporting results, including making and giving presentations, drafting reports and other documents.
Cooperating with other researchers in the Tratnyek research group and other nearby laboratories on collaborative activities.
This description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the incumbent may be required to assume additional duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Bachelors degree
Excellent chemical laboratory skills.
Strong scientific curiosity and proven initiative to pursue solutions.
Strong writing skills.
Demonstrated success in prioritizing, organizing and handling multiple tasks and deadlines.
Demonstrated success working independently and as a member of a collaborative team.
Demonstrated skills in communicating complex scientific concepts to a variety of audiences, both verbally and in writing.
Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation.
Preferred Qualifications
Chemistry or Chemical Engineering degree with minor in geological or environmental science.
1+ years relevant laboratory experience
Experience with operation and maintenance of gas chromatographs and spectrometers.
Work schedule will be set by the supervising faculty. Hours outside the standard work week may be necessary occasionally depending on the needs of the research.
Working conditions:
In person work at OHSU Marquam Hill campus in Portland, Oregon.
Incumbent must have ability to safely move, connect, and disconnect compressed gas cylinders.
Working in an open wet lab environment, in the presence of laboratory chemicals and automated equipment.
Radioactive materials are not currently used by this research group; however, they may be used in other groups within the open lab space.
All are welcome
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. As an organization devoted to the health and well-being of people in Oregon and beyond, OHSU requires its employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
As the state's only health and research university, OHSU brings together patient care, research, education of the next generation of health care providers and scientists and community service to improve the health and well-being of all Oregonians.The university is a conduit for learning for more than 2,800 students, providing training to interns, residents and fellows in postgraduate medical and research. It is the only place in Oregon that grants doctoral degrees in medicine, dentistry and nursing. OHSU cares for more than 251,000 patients each year from around the region and takes a leadership role in contributing to solutions involving the health of the state and the nation, such as health care access and transparency, ethics and workforce shortage. Beyond providing critical health care services, quality education and cutting-edge research, OHSU also is a key economic and social force in the Northwest. With an annual operating budget of $2.06 billion and more than 14,000 employees, OHSU is Portland?s largest employer. Its size contributes to its ability to provide... many services and community support activities not found anywhere else in Oregon. For more information visit http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/about/index.cfm
