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Assay Development Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

OR

$103K - $154K/yr

Guide the development, validation, translation, and implementation of assays, aligning them with market needs, regulatory guidelines, and customer requirements. * Work closely with the clinical ...

... on all assays and procedures as required. Troubleshoot and resolve issues. Report issues to ... development as an employee Contributes to an environment where people feel valued Proficiency in ...

... on all assays and procedures as required. Troubleshoot and resolve issues. Report issues to ... development as an employee • Contributes to an environment where people feel valued • ...

Medical Technologist

Portland, OR · On-site

$29.41 - $41.27/hr

... on all assays and procedures as required. Troubleshoot and resolve issues. Report issues to ... development as an employee • Contributes to an environment where people feel valued • ...

Program Manager

OR · On-site +1

Drive end-to-end execution of product development programs, including planning, scheduling, resource coordination, and risk management across assay, software, and systems development, ensuring ...

Showing results 21-40

Assay Development information

See Oregon salary details

$21

$40

$65

How much do assay development jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for assay development in Oregon is $40.88, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $30.00 and $48.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are common challenges faced when developing new assays, and how can they be addressed?

Assay Development professionals often encounter challenges such as optimizing assay sensitivity and specificity, troubleshooting inconsistent results, and adapting protocols for high-throughput environments. These issues are typically addressed through systematic optimization of reagents and conditions, rigorous validation, and collaboration with cross-functional teams like R&D, quality assurance, and automation specialists. Clear documentation and regular team meetings also help in quickly identifying and resolving technical hurdles, ensuring the assay meets project goals and regulatory standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in assay development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Assay Development, you need a solid background in biochemistry, molecular biology, or a related field, often supported by a relevant degree or advanced training. Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation, data analysis software, and validation protocols is typically required, along with experience in techniques like ELISA, PCR, or cell-based assays. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective collaboration are crucial soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure the accuracy, reliability, and efficiency of assays, which are critical for research, diagnostics, and product development.

What is the difference between Assay Development vs Laboratory Scientist?

AspectAssay DevelopmentLaboratory Scientist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Life Sciences, relevant certificationsBachelor's or Master's in Life Sciences, relevant certifications
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, biotech companies, pharmaceutical firmsResearch labs, hospitals, biotech companies
Industry UsageDesigning and optimizing assays for research and diagnosticsPerforming experiments, data collection, and analysis

Assay Development focuses on creating and optimizing diagnostic or research assays, while Laboratory Scientists perform experiments and analyze data within the lab. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and often work in similar environments, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

What does an assay development scientist do?

An assay development scientist designs, optimizes, and validates laboratory tests to measure specific biological or chemical substances. They work with techniques such as ELISA, PCR, or spectrophotometry, often using specialized equipment and adhering to regulatory standards to ensure assay accuracy and reliability.

What is assay development?

Assay development is the process of designing and optimizing laboratory tests to detect or measure specific biological molecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, or small compounds. It involves selecting appropriate techniques, reagents, and conditions to ensure accuracy, sensitivity, and reproducibility, often requiring knowledge of biochemistry and instrumentation. Assay development is essential in fields like diagnostics, drug discovery, and research to generate reliable data for decision-making.

What are the most commonly searched types of Assay Development jobs in Oregon?

The most popular types of Assay Development jobs in Oregon are:

What are popular job titles related to Assay Development jobs in Oregon?

For Assay Development jobs in Oregon, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Assay Development job openings in Oregon as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 60% In-person, and 40% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,027 per year, or $40.9 per hour.

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago


Oregon Health & Science University rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 95 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

162nd of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Department Overview
The Knight Cancer Precision Biofabrication Hub is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher to support NIH-funded studies focused on engineering complex cancer-bone microphysiologic systems. The successful candidate will develop and apply vascularized, mineralized, and multicellular bone-on-chip platforms to investigate mechanisms of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) bone invasion and prostate cancer metastasis to bone. This position will involve 3D tissue engineering, organ-on-chip and microfluidic culture, hydrogel and matrix-based model development, advanced microscopy, quantitative image analysis, and molecular characterization of tumor-bone interactions.
Function/Duties of Position
Strong preference will be given to candidates with experience engineering complex 3D tissue models, organ-on-chip systems, cancer microenvironment models, bone biology, or biofabrication. Additional preferred expertise includes immune cell incorporation into engineered tissues, macrophage/osteoclast biology, mouse-derived immune or tumor models, neurobiology, neuron co-culture, innervated tissue models, and/or spatial omics.
An ideal candidate will have a strong record of publications, a proven record of independence, and the ability to work effectively with the principal investigator, collaborators, staff scientists, and trainees. The candidate should be highly organized, adaptable, detail-oriented, collaborative, and able to independently solve problems while helping advance multiple projects in parallel.
Duties include:
Perform experiments utilizing appropriate bioengineering, cell culture, imaging, and molecular techniques with proficiency; evaluate results; troubleshoot experiments; determine next steps; and present data.
Duties include developing and optimizing vascularized, mineralized, and multicellular bone-on-chip models; performing OSCC bone invasion studies with osteoblast/osteocyte/osteoclast components; performing prostate cancer bone metastasis studies involving vascularized and potentially innervated bone-on-chip systems; designing experiments evaluating tumor invasion, vascular association, osteoclastogenesis, bone remodeling, tumor phenotype, and microenvironmental crosstalk; incorporating immune or neural components into engineered tissues as appropriate; performing confocal/live imaging and quantitative image analysis; conducting immunostaining, qPCR, ELISA/Luminex, single cell spatial transcriptomics and related assays; staying current with relevant literature; and building new skills to maximize project potential.
Required Qualifications
  • M.D., M.D./Ph.D., or Ph.D.
  • Minimum of 3 years as a graduate student
  • Specialty: Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Tissue Engineering, Cancer Biology, Bone Biology, or related field
  • Experience with mammalian cell culture and/or engineered tissue systems
  • Experience with mammalian cell culture and 3D culture systems
  • Experience developing or using engineered tissue models, organ-on-chip/microfluidic systems, hydrogels, biomaterials, or 3D bioprinting
  • Experience with fluorescence/confocal microscopy and quantitative image analysis
  • Familiarity with immunostaining and molecular/cellular assays such as qPCR, ELISA/Luminex, Western blotting, or related methods
  • Experience with data analysis and statistical methods
  • Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative multidisciplinary team
  • Ability to synthesize one's own results and others' findings to formulate hypotheses
  • Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and coordinate multiple projects simultaneously
  • Ability to use tact and diplomacy to maintain effective working relationships

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience working across interdisciplinary teams involving engineering, cancer biology, bone biology, clinicians, or computational collaborators
  • Strong publication record and evidence of independent scientific thinking
  • Experience with organ-on-chip or microphysiologic systems
  • Experience with vascularized tissue models, endothelial/pericyte co-culture, perfusable microfluidic systems, or advanced 3D imaging
  • Experience with bone biology, osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts, mineralized matrices, or bone remodeling assays
  • Experience with macrophage biology, osteoclastogenesis, immune cell co-culture, mouse immune cell isolation, or syngeneic mouse tumor/immune models
  • Experience with neurobiology, neuron differentiation, neurite outgrowth assays, neural co-culture, cancer-neuron interactions, or innervated tissue models
  • Experience with oral squamous cell carcinoma, prostate cancer, metastasis, invasion, EMT, or tumor microenvironment biology
  • Experience with spatial transcriptomics, single-cell RNA-seq, multiplex imaging, or analysis of high-dimensional datasets

Additional Details
Apply online. Please be sure to upload a Cover Letter and Resume/CV.
We offer a variety of benefits on top of joining a thriving organization:
  • Medical, dental and vision coverage at no or low cost to employees
    • Covered 100% for full-time employees and 88% for dependents
  • Several retirement plans to choose from with contributions from OHSU
  • 120 hours of vacation time per year
  • 96 hours of sick leave a year (prorated for part-time employees)
  • 9 paid holidays per year
  • Commuter subsidies
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Access to group life insurance, disability insurance and other supplemental benefits
  • Annual Raises
  • Growth/Development Opportunities
  • Employee discounts to local and major businesses

#linkedin #indeed #knightcancerjobs #knightpostdocjobs
Why apply to OHSU?
We are Oregon's only public academic health center.
In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington.
All are welcome.
OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply.
To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.edu

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About Oregon Health & Science University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) is a distinguished institution under the industry of higher education and healthcare, specifically in the field of medical science. Based in Portland, Oregon, US, it maintains a reputation for promoting research, teaching, patient care, and outreach. Established in 1887, OHSU has continually sought to redefine the parameters of healthcare delivery and biomedical discovery through its expansive catalog of programs and initiatives. A galvanizing mission drives OHSU: to improve the health and quality of life for all Oregonians through excellence, innovation, and leadership in health care, education, and research.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Portland, OR, US

Year founded

1887