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Necropsy Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Necropsy information

See Oregon salary details

$12

$23

$39

How much do necropsy jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for necropsy in Oregon is $23.49, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.32 and $25.14 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a necropsy?

A necropsy job involves performing post-mortem examinations on animals to determine the cause of death, study diseases, or gather research data. Professionals in this role, such as necropsy technicians or pathologists, work in laboratories, research institutions, or veterinary settings. Their duties may include dissecting specimens, collecting tissue samples, documenting findings, and assisting veterinarians or scientists in disease diagnosis. This role is essential in veterinary medicine, wildlife conservation, and biomedical research.

What does a necropsy do in a typical day?

A typical day in a Necropsy role often includes conducting post-mortem examinations on animal specimens, collecting and preparing tissue samples for further laboratory analysis, and meticulously documenting findings. Professionals in this position frequently collaborate with veterinarians, pathologists, and laboratory staff to support diagnostic and research objectives. The work environment is commonly a laboratory or veterinary hospital setting, and the role may include exposure to biohazardous materials, so strict adherence to safety protocols is essential. Those in necropsy positions gain valuable experience in pathology and laboratory medicine, which can support future career advancement into senior technical or supervisory roles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a necropsy position?

To thrive in a Necropsy role, you need a background in veterinary or biological sciences, detailed anatomical knowledge, and experience with post-mortem examination procedures. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, specimen handling protocols, and potentially certification as a veterinary technician or pathologist is often required. Meticulous attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and clear written communication are valuable soft skills in this field. These skills ensure accurate cause-of-death determinations, high standards of laboratory safety, and comprehensive documentation for research or diagnostic purposes.

How do you become a necropsy technician?

To become a necropsy technician, typically one needs a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by post-secondary education such as an associate degree in biology, veterinary technology, or a related field. Gaining experience in laboratory or veterinary settings and developing skills in anatomy, dissection, and laboratory procedures are also important; some positions may require certification or on-the-job training.

What are popular job titles related to Necropsy jobs in Oregon?

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

Infographic showing various Necropsy job openings in Oregon as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 6% Contract, and 4% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,869 per year, or $23.5 per hour.

Research Assistant 2

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

168th of 623 rated colleges and universities

Great coworkers

People enjoy working here

Good employer


$20.50 - $28/hr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Department Overview

The Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care (BCCPC) is developing new detection methods and treatments for cancer.  One way to do that is to is to create pre-clinical animal models that can be manipulated and tested.  The purpose of this position is to assist in developing mouse models of pancreatic cancer and assess drug responses in those models.  This includes mouse colony management and husbandry, tissue dissection, and genotyping. 

As a BCCPC team member, you will work in the lab to identify in vivo drug-response metrics that best predict drug responses in patients, helping to inform clinical care.  You will be trained in growing primary cultures of tumor cells using advanced cell biology lab techniques, automated therapeutic screens, and histology techniques, as well as performing quantitative analysis of images, harvesting and processing mouse tissues, assisting in survival mouse surgeries, data entry/collection and laboratory housekeeping.  You will be responsible for conducting some phases of projects independently and may help to design experiments.

Do you have strong organizational and communication skills and the ability to work under minimal supervision?  Have you had experience with cell biology laboratory techniques?  Then consider joining Oregon's pancreas research headquarters on the South Waterfront to start building your future in the biomedical sciences.  (Please note:  this position is NOT eligible for remote work.)

Function/Duties of Position
  • Maintain mouse colonies: breeding, animal husbandry and mouse colony management.  Perform animal procedures including injections, health checks, tumor or other measurements, administering drug by mouth, injections, surgery, tissue harvest, and tissue preparation following necropsy.
  • Perform in vivo experiments including cell culture, genotyping, immunohistochemical sample preparation and processing, cell isolation and DNA/RNA purification, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and other biochemistry assays.  Perform preliminary interpretation of results to determine whether they are consistent with experimental goals.
  • Collect, record, organize and verify the accuracy of data, keeping detailed and accurate laboratory records; tabulate data, perform calculations, prepare charts, graphs and reports. May assist with preparation of figures, tables and reports for publications and grants.
  • Assist in the daily operation of the lab including hazardous waste disposal, sterilization of equipment, cleaning glassware, general servicing of equipment and ordering lab supplies, and preparation of media and buffers.
  • Assist in design of research experiments and troubleshooting; attend lab meetings and present data; attend group meetings and seminars as relevant
  • Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in relevant field OR
  • Associate's Degree AND
  • 3 years of relevant experience OR
  • 4 years of relevant experience OR
  • Equivalent combination of training and experience
Preferred Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in Bioscience, in-lab training
  • Animal handling
  • Computer skills; strong organizational abilities; excellent communication skills; strong data management skills; exceptional attention to detail; ability to multitask; ability to follow direction; must be able to work in a BSL-2 
Additional Details
  • Work is 40 hours per week, generally during normal working hours, however, some evening and weekend work will be necessary on occasion.  Additional safety training will be required for working with mice/cell lines/patient samples/ infectious bacteria or viruses and working within a BSL-2 environment.  Animal handling is required.
  • Personnel will need to work at lab benches or desks for up to 8 hours in a day and 2 hours at a time. Ability to perform repetitive lab manipulations (gripping, grasping, reaching, twisting, computer data entry), move lab equipment under 25 lbs with accommodation. These functions can be very repetitive.  Personal protective equipment must be worn as required (gloves, mask/respirator, eyewear, lab coat, etc.).  Ability to ride the aerial tram and walk long distances across campus.  Ability to handle physical tissue/blood specimens including use of dry ice, liquid nitrogen storage, carrying packages for shipment.
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.eduEmployment Type: OTHER

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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


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