Research Assistant-Lab Manager

UO HR Website; Eugene (OR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

The Institute of Molecular Biology at the University of Oregon seeks a Research Assistant to work on instrumentation, microscopy, and microbiology. You will design, construct, and assess new imaging-based technologies while serving as lab manager, overseeing stocks and coordinating purchases.

The role offers opportunities to contribute to experiments, data analysis, and publications, with autonomy to develop robust, high-precision instrumentation and collaborate with physicists and biologists.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in physics, biology, bioengineering, or a similar field.
• Experience in a research laboratory or non-classroom scientific environment.
• Proficiency with analysis software and statistical methods.

Responsibilities

• Design, construct, and assess new imaging-based technologies.
• Serve as lab manager: oversee stocks of supplies and materials; coordinate purchases.
• Develop robust, high-precision instrumentation and lead to new experiments and publications.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team of physicists and biologists.

Skills

Lab instrumentation

Troubleshooting

Biophysics techniques

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in physics/biology/bioengineering

Tools

Analysis software

Job description

Department: Institute of Molecular Biology
Rank: Research Assistant
Annual Basis: 12 Month

Review of Applications Begins

October 15, 2025; position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please provide a letter of interest, current CV and contact information for three professional references.

Department Summary

The Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) is a research institute that reports to the Vice President for Research and Innovation. We have 18 labs and approximately 150 employees, including 45 graduate students who train in our labs. We have an administrative structure, which includes accounting, purchasing, personnel, PI support, building management, and three service centers. Our annual budget is about $9.5 million, primarily from federal research and training grants.

Position Summary

The research assistant will work on instrumentation, microscopy, and microbiology, and will lead efforts to design, construct, and assess new imaging-based technologies. The research assistant will also serve as a lab manager, overseeing stocks of supplies and materials.
The research assistant will have considerable autonomy and will be expected to develop new approaches to create robust, high-precision instrumentation on his/her own. It is expected that these approaches will lead to new experiments, data analysis challenges, and publications which the research assistant will play a major role in. The research assistant will also, as lab manager, help to maintain the smooth operation of the lab, overseeing inventories of supplies and materials and coordinating purchases as needed. The laboratory will offer the opportunity to work at the forefront of biophysics, learn cutting-edge instrumentation and quantitative analysis techniques, and collaborate with an interdisciplinary group of physicists and biologists.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in physics, biology, bioengineering, or a similar field.
• Prior experience in a research laboratory or other non-classroom scientific environment.

Professional Competencies

• Expertise with lab instrumentation.
• Ability to adapt protocols, troubleshoot experiments, and optimize new biophysical techniques.
• Proficiency with analysis software, statistical methods, and ensuring reproducibility.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with at least one of the following is preferred: computer programming, microbiology, electronics, mechanical engineering, and microscopy.

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit our website.

The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please email us or call 541-346-5112.

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Advertised: October 1, 2025 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: