Research Associate Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Oregon
Oregon's research associate positions are concentrated in the Portland metro area and the Willamette Valley, with major employers including Oregon Health and Science University, Nike, Intel, and a growing cluster of biotech and life sciences firms. Institutions like the University of Oregon and Oregon State University also generate consistent demand for research associates with international backgrounds.
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The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute is a pioneer in personalized cancer treatment and research, led by Dr. Brian Druker, whose development of Gleevec transformed Chronic Myeloid Leukemia from a fatal disease to a manageable one and proved that targeted therapies can work. The institute focuses on precision oncology, the early detection, prevention, and treatment of cancer, and creating a welcoming and supportive environment for its caregivers, researchers, and support personnel. Knight affiliates subscribe to three guiding principles: we are bold, we are supportive, and we work as a connected team in our fight to end cancer as we know it. We'd love for you to join us!
Every Knight Cancer employee is expected to embody our guiding principles:
We act BOLDLY—Breakthroughs require pushing the boundaries of science, exploring new frontiers, and thinking differently
We SUPPORT each other—Respect leads to trust, which leads to excellence
* We work as a CONNECTED team — We must leverage our collective brain power to conquer cancer because no one individual can do it alone
Function/Duties of Position:
As a Research Associate, you will join a collaborative project team focused on drug development. You will maintain a high level of professional expertise in the field, work under minimal supervision to generate research data, design and execute experiments, and establish laboratory procedures and systems to enforce and maintain a high level of organization in the lab. You will take independent action in planning experimental design and designing research standard operating procedures. You will have detailed knowledge of all aspects of laboratory research and will be comfortable working both independently and in highly collaborative teams. You will have completed major biology courses and possess strong organizational and interpersonal skills. You will have a working knowledge of data management and word processing, with experience in graphic software (Excel, Microsoft Word, and GraphPad Prism). You should possess good organizational and interpersonal skills. You should also have the ability to contribute to technical writing when necessary.
May be located in shared services/core or work directly under a Principal Investigator (PI) to include sample processing, assays, cell/tissue culture, animal studies, library research, data collection, recording transcription, etc.
Required Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in relevant field and 3 years of relevant experience OR Bachelor’s degree in relevant field and 5 years of relevant experience
- Experience with bioconjugation of biomolecules and biomolecule purification, general molecular biology techniques such as sample processing, cell culture, flow cytometry, DNA purification for mammalian cell cultures, PCR, gel electrophoresis, plate readers, western blot
- Excellent communication, analytical and organizational skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team while being collaborative in resolving problems
- Ability to prioritize multiple tasks at one time
- Must possess energy and drive to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously
- Ability to use tact and diplomacy to maintain effective working relationships
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ability to work with small animals
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
- 208 hours of PTO per year
- 8 days of sick time off
- 9 paid holidays per year
- Commuter subsidies
- Tuition reimbursement
- Access to group life insurance, disability insurance and other supplemental benefits
- Annual Merit Increase
- Growth/Development Opportunities
- Employee discounts to local and major businesses
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
Department Overview:
The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute is a pioneer in personalized cancer treatment and research, led by Dr. Brian Druker, whose development of Gleevec transformed Chronic Myeloid Leukemia from a fatal disease to a manageable one and proved that targeted therapies can work. The institute focuses on precision oncology, the early detection, prevention, and treatment of cancer, and creating a welcoming and supportive environment for its caregivers, researchers, and support personnel. Knight affiliates subscribe to three guiding principles: we are bold, we are supportive, and we work as a connected team in our fight to end cancer as we know it. We'd love for you to join us!
Every Knight Cancer employee is expected to embody our guiding principles:
We act BOLDLY—Breakthroughs require pushing the boundaries of science, exploring new frontiers, and thinking differently
We SUPPORT each other—Respect leads to trust, which leads to excellence
* We work as a CONNECTED team — We must leverage our collective brain power to conquer cancer because no one individual can do it alone
Function/Duties of Position:
As a Research Associate, you will join a collaborative project team focused on drug development. You will maintain a high level of professional expertise in the field, work under minimal supervision to generate research data, design and execute experiments, and establish laboratory procedures and systems to enforce and maintain a high level of organization in the lab. You will take independent action in planning experimental design and designing research standard operating procedures. You will have detailed knowledge of all aspects of laboratory research and will be comfortable working both independently and in highly collaborative teams. You will have completed major biology courses and possess strong organizational and interpersonal skills. You will have a working knowledge of data management and word processing, with experience in graphic software (Excel, Microsoft Word, and GraphPad Prism). You should possess good organizational and interpersonal skills. You should also have the ability to contribute to technical writing when necessary.
May be located in shared services/core or work directly under a Principal Investigator (PI) to include sample processing, assays, cell/tissue culture, animal studies, library research, data collection, recording transcription, etc.
Required Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in relevant field and 3 years of relevant experience OR Bachelor’s degree in relevant field and 5 years of relevant experience
- Experience with bioconjugation of biomolecules and biomolecule purification, general molecular biology techniques such as sample processing, cell culture, flow cytometry, DNA purification for mammalian cell cultures, PCR, gel electrophoresis, plate readers, western blot
- Excellent communication, analytical and organizational skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team while being collaborative in resolving problems
- Ability to prioritize multiple tasks at one time
- Must possess energy and drive to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously
- Ability to use tact and diplomacy to maintain effective working relationships
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ability to work with small animals
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
- 208 hours of PTO per year
- 8 days of sick time off
- 9 paid holidays per year
- Commuter subsidies
- Tuition reimbursement
- Access to group life insurance, disability insurance and other supplemental benefits
- Annual Merit Increase
- Growth/Development Opportunities
- Employee discounts to local and major businesses
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
Research Associate Job Roles in Oregon
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Search Research Associate Jobs in OregonResearch Associate Jobs in Oregon: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies in Oregon sponsor visas for research associates?
Oregon Health and Science University, Oregon State University, the University of Oregon, Intel, and Nike are among the more consistent sponsors of research associates in Oregon. Life sciences companies in the Portland and Corvallis areas, along with environmental research organizations, also have histories of sponsoring international candidates, particularly for roles requiring specialized graduate-level training.
Which visa types are most common for research associate roles in Oregon?
The H-1B visa is the most common visa for research associate roles, as most positions require at least a bachelor's degree in a specific scientific or technical field, meeting the specialty occupation standard. University-affiliated research associates often enter on J-1 visa exchange visitor visas. Candidates with exceptional publication records or awards may qualify for the O-1A. Permanent residency through the EB-2 or EB-3 categories is also a pathway some Oregon research institutions pursue for long-term hires.
How to find research associate visa sponsorship jobs in Oregon?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship willingness, which removes the guesswork of cold-applying to employers who won't sponsor. For research associate roles in Oregon, you can search by state and role type on Migrate Mate to surface positions at universities, biotech firms, and research institutes that have indicated openness to sponsoring international candidates. This is more efficient than sorting through general job boards where sponsorship status is rarely disclosed upfront.
Which cities in Oregon have the most research associate sponsorship jobs?
Portland has the highest concentration, driven by Oregon Health and Science University, the broader medical research community, and tech-adjacent research roles at companies like Intel in nearby Hillsboro. Corvallis is significant due to Oregon State University's research programs in agriculture, environmental science, and engineering. Eugene, home to the University of Oregon, also produces research associate openings, particularly in social sciences and life sciences.
Are there state-specific considerations for research associates seeking sponsorship in Oregon?
Oregon has a strong university research pipeline, meaning many sponsored research associate roles are tied to grant-funded projects, which can affect contract length and renewal. Employers must pay the prevailing wage for the relevant occupation and location as part of H-1B requirements, and Portland metro prevailing wages are generally higher than those in smaller Oregon cities. Candidates coming through university systems should also clarify whether the sponsoring entity is the university itself or a separate research foundation, as this affects the petition process.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored research associate jobs in Oregon?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.