Research Assistant

Job Listing ID:

4477222

Job Title:

Research Assistant Application Deadline:

Open Until Filled

Job Location:

Portland

Date Posted:

04/22/2026

Hours Worked Per Week:

40

Shift:

Day Shift Duration of Job:

Either Full or Part Time, more than 6 months You may contact this employer directly. (Obtain the contact information to print or add to your jobs.)

Job Summary:

Research Assistant US-OR-Portland Requisition ID:

2026-38923

Position Category:

Research

Job Type:

Research

Position Type:

Regular Full-Time

Posting Department:

Behavioral Neuroscience

Posting Salary Range:

$23.18 - $33.02 per hour, with offer based on experience, education and internal equity

Posting FTE:

1.00

Posting Schedule:

Monday - Friday; occasional evenings and weekends as needed

HR Mission:

School of Medicine

Drug Testable:

No

LinkedIn Job Code:

LI-LP1 Department Overview The Mello (Dept. Behavioral Neuroscience) and von Gersdorff (Vollum) labs have close collaborative projects (funded by the NIH and NSF) to study the neurobiology of vocal learning, using as model organism the zebra finch, a songbird species. We use a combination of molecular, neuroanatomical, behavioral, electrophysiological and computational approaches to understand how the specialized vocal control brain circuitry enables male zebra finches to produce complex learned songs. We also study how these birds learn their vocal-motor patterns guided by auditory feedback, similar to how infants acquire speech and language skills. Function/Duties of Position We are recruiting an entry-level RA to assist with zebra finch colony husbandry tasks, song recording and analysis, basic histological and molecular biology tasks, viral injections of zebra finch brains, post-recording brain slice processing for cell morphometry and imaging, as well as general laboratory management. Manage husbandry of the zebra finch colony during breeding, post-surgical and/or custom diet protocols. Help record and analyze zebra finch songs from normal and experimental birds. Perform support histological tissue processing and basic molecular biology tasks, including brain cryosectioning, staining, and probe synthesis and processing for in situ hybridization. Assist with viral preps and stereotaxic viral injections of zebra finch brains. General laboratory management including handling of purchases and inventories. Assist other lab members in performing experiments and troubleshooting, attend lab meetings and present data, other duties as assigned. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in relevant field; OR Associate's AND 3 years of relevant experience; OR 4 years of relevant experience; OR Equivalent combination of training and experience. Preferred Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Neuroscience, Molecular Biology or Cell Biology. Undergraduate research experience in areas like neuroscience, molecular biology, molecular genetics. Computer and data management skills. < Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

PI283975224

Job Classification:

Biological Technicians Access our statewide or regional occupation report for more information about wages, employment outlooks, skills, training programs, related occupations, and more. Compensation

Salary:

Not Provided Job Requirements

Experience Required:

 At least 1 year

Education Required:

High School Diploma/GED

Minimum Age:

N/A Gender:

N/A