Research Scientists (PhD)

Job Summary

The Research Scientist serves as a scientific and operational leader within the ORL, providing technical expertise, project leadership, and laboratory management in support of faculty-initiated and industry-sponsored research. This role oversees research projects from concept development through study completion while ensuring the laboratory operates safely, efficiently, and in compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• End-to-end project management
• Maintaining, calibrating, troubleshooting, and upgrading laboratory equipment and testing systems
• Serving as the primary point of contact for laboratory equipment access, scheduling, and lockbox management
• Cooking up annual Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) documentation updates and biannual laboratory inspections
• Training faculty, staff, and trainees on laboratory equipment and procedures in accordance with EHS standards
• Managing tissue procurement, inventory, storage, and disposal processes
• Overseeing laboratory organization, maintenance of tools and supplies, and inventory management
• Supporting purchasing, budgeting, and basic accounting functions associated with laboratory operations and research projects
• Collecting, tracking, and reporting laboratory utilization and performance metrics

Requirements

• EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).
• Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels: Research Scientist, III: Requires a PhD in engineering, biomechanics, biomedical sciences, or a related field. and 6+ years of directly related work experience. Research Scientist, IV: Requires a PhD in engineering, biomechanics, biomedical sciences, or a related field. and 8+ years of directly related work experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing and executing scientific research projects
• Strong technical expertise in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication
• Experience with biomechanical testing systems, medical imaging technologies, and laboratory instrumentation
• Proficiency in programming and statistical analysis using tools such as MATLAB, Python, LabVIEW, SPSS, or Stata
• Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills
• Preferences: Experience supporting grant applications and industry-sponsored research. Familiarity with research contracting, budgeting, and project financial management. Experience working with cadaveric human and/or animal tissues. Record of peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations. Experience supervising research personnel and managing shared laboratory resources. Knowledge of regulatory, safety, and compliance requirements relevant to biomedical research laboratories.

Qualifications

• EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).
• Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels: Research Scientist, III: Requires a PhD in engineering, biomechanics, biomedical sciences, or a related field. and 6+ years of directly related work experience. Research Scientist, IV: Requires a PhD in engineering, biomechanics, biomedical sciences, or a related field. and 8+ years of directly related work experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing and executing scientific research projects
• Strong technical expertise in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication
• Experience with biomechanical testing systems, medical imaging technologies, and laboratory instrumentation
• Proficiency in programming and statistical analysis using tools such as MATLAB, Python, LabVIEW, SPSS, or Stata
• Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills
• Preferences: Experience supporting grant applications and industry-sponsored research. Familiarity with research contracting, budgeting, and project financial management. Experience working with cadaveric human and/or animal tissues. Record of peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations. Experience supervising research personnel and managing shared laboratory resources. Knowledge of regulatory, safety, and compliance requirements relevant to biomedical research laboratories.