Dean's Research Scholar Program
01/01/2024 – We are not currently accepting applications for the Dean’s Research Scholar Program at this time. The next likely round of applications will be summer 2024. For questions about the DRSP please contact Amy Johnson at johnsamy@ohsu.edu
Some of the most exciting biomedical breakthroughs occur at the intersection of traditional research disciplines. As a leading academic health center on the West Coast, the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) has a strong commitment to fostering new, innovative approaches to biomedical discovery. The Dean's Research Scholar Program (DRSP) was developed to build on this commitment by recruiting top interdisciplinary postdoctoral researchers to OHSU to catalyze novel interdisciplinary research. DRSP is a distinctive opportunity to start a research career pursuing a state-of-the-art project at the cross-section of disciplines.
OHSU is located in Portland, Oregon – a vibrant city in the Pacific Northwest. Situated on the Willamette River, Portland is within easy access to ocean beaches, mountains, the Columbia River Gorge, and Oregon's award-winning wineries. For more information on Portland and the surrounding area visit the Prospective Postdocs section of this website.
- Applicants propose their own interdisciplinary research project that leverages the strengths and opportunities of OHSU's expertise and unique facilities. The proposal is a primary basis for recruitment.
- Applicants are required to identify and contact two or more sponsoring faculty members from the participating units prior to applying to discuss, define and collaborate on potential projects.
- Interdepartmental projects are important to capitalize on the interdisciplinary nature of the project and subsequent discoveries.
- $60,000 per year for two years.
- Scientific and professional development mentoring from supervising faculty, department chairs, and the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
Applicants are required to connect with one or more sponsoring PI from an OHSU participating unit (see participating units below) prior to applying. Preference will be given to applicants who work with 2+ sponsoring PIs to fully represent the cross-disciplinary nature of the project. With the sponsoring PIs’ guidance, the applicant prepares a research proposal reflecting interdisciplinary, transformative research. The proposal is the primary basis for recruitment. Letters of endorsement from the sponsoring PIs are required as part of the application materials.
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis when funded slots are available. The number of positions to be funded each year is dependent on the budget approved by the SoM Dean’s Office.
- As part of the required application materials, each applicant must develop an interdisciplinary project proposal, which will be the primary basis of selection. The applicant is expected to contact potential supervising investigators early in the process, and develop the proposal in coordination with the investigators.
- Postdocs in the DRSP receive 2 years of funding.
- Under the DRSP, central DRSP funds will pay $60,000 each year ($5,000 per month for a total of $120,000 per postdoc) towards partial coverage of salary and benefits, and the supervising investigator(s) will pay any remaining expenses, including but not limited to remaining salary and benefits, materials and supplies, visa costs, travel, etc. By agreeing at the application stage to supervise a DRSP postdoc, the investigator(s) are committing to co-funding the postdoc position.
- DRSP postdocs will receive OHSU’s standard postdoc compensation and benefit package per the Postdoctoral Affairs Office.
- DRSP postdocs will be mentored by the supervising investigator(s) and the chairs/directors of participating units. They will also benefit from mentor guidance on career development, an individual development plan, and the career and professional development resources available through the OHSU Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
- DRSP postdocs are required to apply for external fellowship support during the 2-year funding commitment. External fellowship support off-sets DRSP funding. If fellowship funding is received and off-sets DRSP funding within 21 months of the position’s start date, the postdoc will receive up to $5,000 from unspent DRSP commitment, not to exceed the original $60,000 annual commitment: up to $2,500 as a one-time salary payment to the postdoc, and up to $2,500 available for related research expenses. The DRSP commitment will cover any gap in salary and benefits between fellowship support and OHSU’s established salary rate during the original 2-year DRSP appointment, not to exceed the $60,000 annual commitment.
- With chair/director approval, any unspent DRSP commitment not used during the 2-year program due to external fellowship funding may be used to cover any gap in salary and benefits between the fellowship support and OHSU’s established salary rate for an additional year, not to exceed the project dates of the external fellowship.
- Continued employment beyond the DRSP’s two years is dependent solely on funding from the supervising investigators or other external support.
- Continued employment during or after the DRSP commitment is subject to OHSU policies, satisfactory performance, and available supplemental funding as needed. Receiving DRSP funding is not a guarantee of continued employment.
The following OHSU departments and institutes participate in this program. A minimum of 2 mentors, each from a different participating unit, are required to receive DRSP funding.
- Applicants must have an awarded doctorate degree in a relevant discipline by the position’s start date, if hired. The start date can be flexible within one year from offer.
- Individuals from diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply.
- Applicants must identify at least two (2) supervising investigators, each from a different participating unit, and develop an interdisciplinary research proposal (maximum 1,000 words) prior to applying.
- Applicants who are not yet employed by OHSU and postdocs currently working at OHSU are both eligible to apply, although preference will be given to applicants not yet employed by OHSU.
- Applicants must be highly motivated to accelerate their own research ambitions in pursuing new areas of interdisciplinary research.
To apply, submit the following as a single PDF document.
- Cover letter summarizing your previous research accomplishments, what your career objectives are, and how participating in this program would allow you to reach those objectives.
The candidate should address the following points in their cover letter and during the potential interviews:
- Why did you choose your supervising investigators and OHSU?
- What will you gain by joining OHSU and working with the supervising investigators?
- Which other mentors would you like to work with?
- What do you propose as your mentorship plan?
- How will you integrate into the OHSU scientific community? - Curriculum Vitae, including current and pending publications, awards, and current and/or past independent funding.
- Interdepartmental research proposal (maximum 1,000 words), identifying proposed supervising investigators.
- A letter of endorsement from each proposed supervising investigator.
- Three letters of reference from people acquainted with your scientific work. Reference letters should be submitted directly to Amy Johnson at johnsamy@ohsu.edu.
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
For questions, please contact Amy Johnson at johnsamy@ohsu.edu.
Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud to be an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. Applicants with disabilities can request reasonable accommodation by contacting the Office of Civil Rights Investigations and Compliance (OCIC) at 503-494-5148.