Employment Opportunities
Employment at the Vollum often allows sufficient time for career-enhancing activities, such as attendance at seminars and participation in lab meetings. Many technicians go on to graduate training at OHSU and other top programs. Long term employment opportunities including some with supervisory responsibilities are also available in some laboratories.
OHSU is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer committed to maintaining diversity in its faculty and research community.
Faculty positions
The Vollum Institute does not have an active faculty search at this time.
However, we do consider inquiries from well-qualified applicants. For more information, contact Marc Freeman, Search Chair, at volljob@ohsu.edu.
Postdoctoral fellow positions
These are only a few of the postdoctoral positions currently available in the Vollum Institute. Some faculty members prefer to list research openings on their lab pages or on other external websites. If you're interested in joining a particular lab not listed below, please contact the individual faculty member directly to inquire if there are postdoctoral opportunities available.
The goal of the OHSU Fellowship for Diversity in Research (OFDIR) is to address the need for increased representation of minoritized races/ethnicities in STEM at the postdoctoral level. Fellowships are available for postdoctoral training in all scientific areas of study at OHSU. OFDIR Fellows will receive mentored research training and opportunities to build community with and receive support from other scientists who identify as members of a racial or ethnic group underrepresented in STEM.
Explore the fellowship website to learn more about the benefits of the OFDIR program, how to apply, and to meet current and former OFDIR fellows.
OHSU iCIMS Requisition ID: 2021-10790
The Frank lab is seeking an energetic Postdoctoral Researcher with a neuroscience background to work on a project studying the effects of endocannabinoid signaling on sugar reward/addiction. The project involves applying slice electrophysiology and/or in vivo experiments (device implantations, photometry, and behavioral assays) in combination with novel photochemical tools to manipulate cannabinoid signaling on specific circuits in the reward system.
We recognize that diverse backgrounds, abilities, and perspectives are essential for advancements in our field; therefore candidates from underrepresented communities are especially encouraged to apply to join our lab where a culture of cooperation, rigor, and respect is valued.
Applications would include a CV, list of publications, and email addresses/phone numbers of three references, sent to frankja@ohsu.edu.
A postdoctoral fellow position is available for research focused on understanding how short-term synaptic plasticity affects neural processing. Short-term plasticity dynamically changes the strength of synaptic connections by orders of magnitude, and dramatically alters the input-output transformation of neural circuits. The Jackman lab uses patch-clamp electrophysiology, optogenetics, calcium imaging, and computational modeling to investigate the mechanisms that drive short-term plasticity. Using these techniques we recently discovered that the synaptotagmin isoform Syt7 is responsible for one of the most common forms of short-term plasticity, synaptic facilitation. Facilitation is hypothesized to play fundamental roles in both cognitive and sensory processing. Using Syt7 knockout mice we perform behavior assays and in vivo recordings of neural activity to evaluate how short-term plasticity affects circuit function.
The Jackman lab is located in the Vollum Institute at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon. Candidates experienced with patch-clamp or in vivo electrophysiology, in vivo calcium imaging, or rodent behavior are particularly encouraged to apply. Apply by emailing a CV and three references to jackmans@ohsu.edu.
Postdoctoral Research Associate positions are open for complementary studies on the roles of REST during neuronal maturation and glial-neuronal interactions involved in maintaining central nervous system circuitry. The REST repressor protein is a unique regulator of neuronal gene chromatin and we are studying how it changes higher order chromatin architecture and gene expression in individual neurons during aging. We have also launched studies of gene regulation in human neural cells. The Mandel lab is a leader in the study of mouse models for neurological diseases, such as autism spectrum disorders. We recently identified glia as integral components of mature brain circuitry that are affected in neurological disease and are using imaging and electrophysiology, in conjunction with genetics, to pinpoint the defects.
The lab is located in the Vollum Institute at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. Interested candidates within 4 years of having received their PhD are encouraged to apply. Prior expertise in molecular and cellular biology, or biochemistry, is essential.
To apply, please email CV and contact details of three references to mandelg@ohsu.edu.
A full-time postdoctoral fellow position is available in the Murthy Lab. Our lab focuses on the molecular and physiological basis of mechanotransduction — the process of converting mechanical stimuli into biological signals. Applicants with a background in neuroscience, biophysics, or cell and molecular biology, and expertise in patch-clamp electrophysiology, biochemistry, or mouse genetics are highly desirable; however, the lab is open to enthusiastic and motivated applicants keen to explore an unfamiliar field.
The Murthy lab will be located in the Vollum Institute at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon. Apply by emailing a CV and three references to murthysw@ohsu.edu.
A full time postdoctoral fellow position is available in the lab of Dr. Henrique von Gersdorff, a member of the Vollum Institute at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). The research focuses on auditory and visual sensory synapses; see Dr. von Gersdorff's faculty page for more details and references. Experience in patch-clamping techniques and/or calcium imaging techniques is required; experience in biophysical analysis methods and computer modeling is desirable. Training in methods specific to sensory synapses will be provided by the von Gersdorff lab. Our major interests concern the synaptic physiology of ribbon-type synapses in the vertebrate retina, ribbon-type synapses in the cochlea, and calyx-type synapses in the mammalian auditory brainstem. The applicant must be highly motivated, interactive, and interested in fundamental mechanisms of synaptic transmission at ribbon-type or conventional synapses. Salary is commensurate with experience.
To be considered for this position:
Send CV and names of three references to Dr. Henrique von Gersdorff, The Vollum Institute, Mail Code L474, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239-3098 or by email to vongersd@ohsu.edu.
Full time postdoctoral positions are available for examining neuromodulatory signaling in vivo using advanced imaging methods. Based on our previous studies, we can image subcellular signaling events triggered by neuromodulators, such as dopamine, with high spatiotemporal resolutions. This puts us in a unique position to ask unanswered fundamental questions regarding neuromodulation — including what, who, when and how. Our studies focus on the mouse cortex as well as deep brain structures, such as the striatum, in brain slices and in behaving mice. The project is funded by a BRAIN Initiative grant.
The Zhong Lab is located in the Vollum Institute at Oregon Health & Science University. Applicants are expected to have backgrounds in neuroscience, biophysics, cell biology, or a related area, and have experience in at least one of the following areas: electrophysiology, microscopy, or mouse genetics. While cutting-edge research has great potential, it is not easy. Please apply only if you are willing to work hard to compete at the highest scientific level. If interested, please contact Haining Zhong directly at zhong@ohsu.edu.
Research assistant positions
These are only a few of the research assistant positions currently available in the Vollum Institute. Most faculty members prefer to list RA openings on their lab pages, external websites or OHSU's iCIMS website.
OHSU iCIMS Requisition ID: 2021-10788
The Frank lab is seeking an enthusiastic Research Assistant to work on GPCR structural biology project. Ideal candidates will possess a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology and some laboratory experience in PCR, cloning, and cell culture. Applicants are asked to provide a 1.5–2 year commitment to the project.
We recognize that diverse backgrounds, abilities, and perspectives are essential for advancements in our field; therefore candidates from underrepresented communities are especially encouraged to apply to join our lab where a culture of cooperation, rigor, and respect is valued.