ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Assistant Microbiologist Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsMicrobiologist JobsAssistant Microbiologist JobsAssistant Microbiologist Jobs in Portland, OR

Assistant Microbiologist information

See Portland, OR salary details

$15

$23

$37

How much do assistant microbiologist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for assistant microbiologist in Portland, OR is $23.76, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.37 and $27.02 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an assistant microbiologist?

Assistant Microbiologists are professionals who support senior microbiologists in laboratories by conducting experiments, preparing samples, analyzing data, and maintaining laboratory equipment. They often work in healthcare, food safety, environmental, or research settings to help detect and study microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Their work is essential for ensuring quality control, disease prevention, and advancing scientific knowledge. Assistant Microbiologists must follow strict safety protocols and accurately document their findings to assist in research and reporting.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be an assistant microbiologist?

To thrive as an Assistant Microbiologist, you need a solid background in biology or microbiology, laboratory techniques, and data analysis, generally supported by a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, aseptic techniques, and software like LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems) is typically required. Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and teamwork are crucial soft skills in this role. These abilities are essential for ensuring accurate data collection, maintaining safety standards, and supporting efficient research or testing processes.

What challenges do assistant microbiologists face in a laboratory setting?

Assistant Microbiologists often encounter challenges such as maintaining strict adherence to sterile techniques to prevent contamination, managing time effectively to process multiple samples, and accurately recording detailed observations under tight deadlines. Collaboration with other lab members and senior microbiologists is crucial, as tasks often require coordination across different projects. Additionally, adapting to rapidly changing protocols or new equipment can require continuous learning and flexibility in daily routines.

What are the most commonly searched types of Microbiologist jobs in Portland, OR?

The most popular types of Microbiologist jobs in Portland, OR are:

Assistant Microbiologist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Assistant Microbiologist job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,411 per year, or $23.8 per hour.

Assistant Staff Scientist

Portland, OR • On-site

Oregon Health & Science University
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 10K+ employees

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 95 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

169th of 627 rated colleges and universities

Great coworkers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Learn more about Oregon Health & Science Universityexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

The School of Dentistry shares the mission of the Oregon Health & Science University to provide educational programs, basic and clinical research, and high quality care and community programs. We strive to foster an environment of mutual respect where the free exchange of ideas can flourish. The dental school prepares graduates in general dentistry and the dental specialties to deliver compassionate and ethical oro-facial health care. 


The Pfeifer lab is a collaborative Research group within the School of Dentistry, Department of Biomaterial and Biomedical Sciences. The lab was established in 2011 and has been continuously supported by the NIH-National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, and others. We have a strong track record in the fields of Biomaterials and Polymer Chemistry, with over 150 publications and several full patents. Our focus is to develop materials solutions for use in healthcare applications (including oral) with a heavy emphasis at the interface with microbiology and host tissue interactions. We have been able to be successful in this quest thanks to a multi-disciplinary team of highly collaborative individuals, including materials scientists, clinicians, engineers, chemists and microbiologists. The work we do spans traditional materials science and cell biology. We'd love for you to join us!

Dr. Carmem Pfeifer seeks an Assistant Staff Scientist with extensive knowledge of microbiology and materials science related methods to drive research projects to academic and translational goals. This person will contribute to scientific direction of numerous projects and share the management responsibilities for lab members working on those projects. Technical expertise in the area molecular biology and molecular design, as well as collaborative research approach are key to success in this role. 


  • PhD in relevant field (Bioengineering, Biology, Biomaterials, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science)
  • Doctoral degree in Biomedical Sciences or related fields and a minimum of 3 years of post-doctoral work experience in a research lab with a focus on material-tissue/biofilm interactions
  • Intimate knowledge of molecular biology and microbiology assays
  • Knowledge of how to operate various instrumentation and basic engineering principles for applications and troubleshooting with instrumentation (including at least a few of the following: Mechanical testing: universal testing machine (flexural strength, fracture toughness, dynamic mechanical analysis, rheology); Spectroscopic techniques (IR and UV-Vis, mass spec, GPC, HPLC); Imaging (SEM and confocal microscopy)
  • Ability to optimize and adapt existing molecular biology protocols for analysis of modified material surfaces
  • Familiarity with spatial analysis approaches such as spatial transcriptomics, especially for engineered tissues or on-chip systems
  • Familiarity with technical writing, including research manuscripts, methods manuscripts, patents, and other IP documentation
  • Ability to lead discussions around research projects and proactively communicate with research team members for the success of the project
  • Ability to prioritize multiple tasks at one time
  • Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills: both written and verbal
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team while being collaborative in resolving problems
  • Intermediate skills with Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Access, Word, and PowerPoint) on Window OS, and other advanced graphing and image design software (Prism, Origin, Photoshop, Adobe illustrator)
  • Ability to use empathy and diplomacy to support trainees and other lab members 

  • Experience with molecular biology techniques, in silico docking, molecular simulations, microbiology, materials science
  • High-quality peer-reviewed publications
  • Grant writing experience
  • Small molecule synthesis
  • Peptide synthesis
  • MATLAB
  • Additive manufacturing
  • Workshop experience

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
Oregon Health & Science University logo

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

View All Oregon Health & Science University Jobs

What Oregon Health & Science University employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply