Research Scientists; PhD

Details

Open Date 07/27/2026

Requisition Number PRN
45749B

Job Title Research Scientists (PhD)

Working Title Research Scientists (PhD)

Career Progression Track L00

Track Level L4 - Advanced, L3 - Career

FLSA Code Professional

Patient Sensitive Job Code? No

Standard Hours per Week 40

Full Time or Part Time? Full Time

Shift Day

Work Schedule Summary

Monday – Friday

VP Area U of U Health
- Academics

Department 00269 - Orthopedic Surgery Operations

Location Campus

City Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment External Posting

Pay Rate Range $99,000 - $135,000

Close Date 10/27/2026

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.

Responsibilities

• End-to-end project management
• Maintaining, calibrating, troubleshooting, and upgrading laboratory equipment and testing…