Research Scientists (PhD

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)

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.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD (or MS with equivalent experience) in engineering, biomechanics, biomedical sciences, or a related field and demonstrates strong technical, analytical, organizational, and project management skills. A track record of hands‑on research, scientific productivity, and collaborative problem‑solving is essential.

This position offers a long‑term career pathway with opportunities to expand leadership responsibilities over time in partnership with departmental leadership, supporting the department’s missions of discovery, innovation, and education.

Department leadership envisions the ORL operating with a productivity model that emphasizes clearly defined objectives, measurable deliverables, efficient resource utilization, and timely project completion. As an ambassador for the ORL , the Research Scientist communicates laboratory capabilities to faculty, trainees, and industry partners and serves as a consultative resource for project planning, feasibility assessment, and collaboration development. The role helps establish project scope, timelines, deliverables, and resource requirements while promoting efficient project execution and minimizing scope creep.

The Research Scientist provides end‑to‑end leadership for research studies, including project intake, experimental design, budgeting, protocol development, prototyping, data collection, statistical analysis, interpretation of results, and dissemination through abstracts, presentations, and peer‑reviewed publications. The position also contributes to grant applications, industry‑sponsored proposals, scientific peer review, and the development of external collaborations.

Success in this role requires expertise in biomechanical testing, medical imaging, 3D modeling and fabrication, programming, and statistical analysis. The Research Scientist develops and maintains advanced analytical workflows using tools such as MATLAB , Python, LabVIEW, SPSS , and Stata. Experience working with human and animal cadaveric tissues is highly desirable.

In addition to leading research activities, the Research Scientist oversees day‑to‑day laboratory operations, supervises research staff, and helps develop standard operating procedures that promote safety, quality, consistency, and operational excellence across all laboratory activities.

Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu

The department may choose to hire at any of the below job levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and budget.

• 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.
• Coordinating 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.

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).