To: Portland Section ACS Members and Colleagues 
From: Martha Dibblee, email administrator

Research Associate

The Biomaterials and Biomechanics Department is seeking an enthusiastic research associate to begin immediately. The successful candidate will be joining a dynamic multi-disciplinary group, including material scientists, polymer chemists, mechanical engineers and microbiologists. This position requires research performance consistent with the goals of the principal investigator, Carmem Pfeifer PhD. The lab is very active, with opportunities to publish papers, submit grant proposals, present at technical meetings, and work with partners in industry and university / government. Many of our lab members have been listed as co-authors in patents, and have later found senior positions in industry and academia.

There are currently several areas of work within my lab which span within the broad field of biomaterials and include the following specific topic areas: 
1. Design and synthesis of novel polymeric materials for dental and biomedical applications: the major project funded in the lab aims at harnessing ecological interactions within the oral biofilm and host enzyme derived degradation of the tooth substrate to develop novel restorative materials capable of withstanding the challenges posed by the use in the oral environment. These challenges include mechanical loading, bacteria-derived acid demineralization of the tooth, degradation of the material by salivary and bacteria-derived enzymes, as well as substrate degradation by water percolation and host metalloproteinases. 
2. Test materials under physiological conditions in vitro: material resistance to degradation under physiologically-relevant conditions is the main focus of the development in the lab. Testing includes microbiology assays, mechanical testing and combinations thereof. Polymerization behavior is assessed with spectroscopic techniques, isolated or in tandem with mechanical testing.

The successful candidate will have experience in synthetic organic chemistry, material characterization techniques and manuscript preparation. Ability to work independently and contribute ideas is essential. We are looking for a motivated individual, with the mindset of contributing to the group in a meaningful way. Career development training opportunities are plentiful at OHSU, and participation is highly encouraged by the PI. The lab is currently funded through FY 2027 (NIH-NIDCR 1R35-DE029083), and therefore, it is expected that the candidate will be able to be part of the group for at least 2-3 years.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 
• Master’s degree with major courses in relevant field and 3 years of relevant experience 
• OR Bachelors degree with major courses in field of research (or RN or allied health professional) and 5 years of relevant experience 
• 3-4 years of laboratory-related experience 
• Synthetic organic chemistry, and molecular characterization (NMR, including advanced techniques such as DOSI, gel permeation chromatography, mass spectroscopy). 
• Mechanical testing: universal testing machine (flexural strength, fracture toughness), dynamic mechanical analysis, rheology 
• Spectroscopic techniques: IR and UV-Vis 
• Manuscript writing experience 
• Strong English language skills (writing and speaking) are required 
• Must work independently 
• Attention to detail and good record-keeping are essential 
• Work hours are M-F, 8-5 with occasional after-hours and weekend attendance required

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or related field 
• Polymer chemistry, photochemistry 
• Grant writing experience 
• MATLAB 
• Additive manufacturing 
• Workshop experience 
• Methods to study protein mechanisms and interactions (including gel electrophoresis, western blotting, zymography, enzymes activity and kinetics, immunoassays, fluorescent assays) 
• General microbiology techniques (growth and manipulation of bacterial strains, plating, isolation of single colonies, biofilm analysis) and methods to study bacterial physiology (antimicrobial tests, assessment of growth rate and viability, imaging analysis)

The Research Associate is a full time position that comes with competitive medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits. This position is located in the RLSB just south of downtown Portland. More information at www.biomaterials-pfeiferlab.com

*Please apply online at www.ohsujobs.com, then search using 2021-7925.

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.

Sent on behalf of OHSU – Biomaterials – Pfeifer lab

Pilot Project Ignite Pitch Talks

Applicants for the Pacific Northwest Center for Translational Environmental Health Pilot Project Program will be sharing their research ideas in five minute Ignite Pitches. 

This is a chance to learn about the state-of-the-art science, technology, and stakeholder engagement ideas being pursued by members in the Center and ask questions about their latest research ideas. 

When: Friday, May 7 from 3:00-4:30 PM

Where: Join Zoom Meeting

https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/94153815894?pwd=MTh0OElVWThhQXZER2YrazZsTUhDUT09

Password: 218039

Speakers: Each speaker has 5 minutes to share their ideas followed by 5 minutes for questions.

1. Andrew Annalora, OSU – A Novel Mechanisms of CYP1B1 Regulation by Exosomes: Implications for Vascular Development, Wound Repair and Environmental Disease.
2. Juliane Fry, Reed College – Expanding, Analyzing, and Translating Portland Particulate Matter Monitoring Data
3. Siva Kolluri, OSU – Regulation of AhR-mediated transcription by p27/Kip1
4. Seth O’Neal, OHSU – Planning a birth cohort in Peru to evaluate chronic environmental exposure to mixed heavy metals on hemoglobin levels, birth outcomes, and infant and child development
5. Sarah Rothenberg, OSU – Arsenic Metabolism in Adult Zebrafish (Danio rerio
6. Lewis Semprini, OSU – Development of a Rapid Test for the Cometabolic Treatment of Legacy and Emerging Contaminants Using Co-encapsulated Hydrogels and Embryonic Zebrafish
7. Tom Sharpton, OSU – The Exposure, Microbiome, and Cognition Cohort (EMC2) Study
8. Caren Weinhouse, OHSU – Identifying epigenetic drivers of pollution-induced cellular defense system gene expression

The mission of the Pacific Northwest Center for Translational Environmental Health is to understand the interactions between environmental exposures, biology, and genetics to help prevent disease and improve human health.

OSU Search Advocate workshops for Spring term are available for registration. Search advocates are outside process advisors who participate on employee search committees; their goal is to encourage culture and practices that favor equity, validity and diversity. The initial workshop series is a sequence of four 4-hour Zoom workshops. Those who complete the series may choose to have their names added to the Search Advocate Directory and will be eligible to serve as advocates until September 2022. Three-hour continuing education workshops for current advocates are also available. To register, go to the new Search Advocate/Workshops website. Questions? Contact Anne Gillies at anne.gillies@oregonstate.edu or 541-760-6160.

Attend, you must. Celebrate Star Wars Day with “May the 4th Be With You”-themed Trivia Night, Tuesday, May 4, at 5:30 p.m. Hosted by Lindsey Gardner, ’13, trivia categories include Star Wars, OSU and binge-worthy. Students and alumni can form teams of two to four people and compete for prizes. Register or join a team for free here. Recent grads meet regularly to network, support current students and socialize through the OSU Alumni Association’s group OSU Next.

This award, presented annually at University Day, recognizes any classified, professional faculty or faculty member who excels in mentoring, supporting and encouraging OSU employees, especially women and those from under-represented groups or non-traditional careers, and making available to them opportunities for professional, educational and personal development. 2021 President’s Commission on the Status of Women believes that mentoring and development are critical to excellent performance and employee satisfaction. The award offers a way of commending individuals who support the learning environment for OSU employees. For more information and a list of past recipients: https://leadership.oregonstate.edu/pcosw/funding-opportunities. Nominations are due May 4. Questions? Contact pcosw@oregonstate.edu.

The Hattie Redmond Women & Gender Center invites nominations for our annual awards. There are three award categories: Women of Achievement Award, AYA Award, and Student Leader Award. Nominations close on Monday, May 3. Information about each award and the nomination process can be found at: https://beav.es/3Zu.

nominations are open now through May 31. This award recognizes work performance and service which goes above and beyond the standard expectations held for professional faculty and classified staff. One classified and one professional faculty employee will be honored at the University Day ceremonies with the presentation of a plaque and cash award of $500.00 each. Please click here to learn about the nomination process and criteria.

Learn how to make websites accessible to people with disabilities. We’ll also discuss the OSU policy on Information Technology Accessibility. All are welcome; employees with website responsibilities are encouraged if they have not attended yet. Register for a session, offered April 29.

START New Student Orientation will occur virtually this summer, but with significant changes from summer 2020. Come to our webinar to learn about the overall structure and the experience will be like for our incoming class. Join us on Zoom for the event, which will take place on April 27 from 2:30-3:30 p.m.