Risevoic
Assistant Staff Scientist
Company : Oregon Health & Science University
Location : Portland, OR, 97201
Job Type : Full Time / Part Time
Date Posted : 2 January 2026
Department Overview
The Department of Biomedical Engineering at Oregon Health & Sciences University is seeking to immediately hire an Assistant Staff Scientist to do research on scientific programs involving technology development for people with type 1 diabetes.
An Assistant Staff Scientist is being recruited to work on one or more projects. Potential projects include (1) developing new mathematical models to describe the glucoregulatory system of people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes during exercise and other times, (2) development of new prediction algorithms for predicting hypoglycemia and other glycemic excursions using big data analytics, (3) developing new control algorithms for automated delivery of insulin and glucagon within a smart-phone based system, (4) new digital twin approaches using real-world data including electronic health records (EHR), (5) new algorithms for forecasting islet transplant success.
The position will require skills for the development of models and machine learning algorithms that can be used both within an automated drug delivery system and within a decision support framework.
Function/Duties of Position
- Using software such as Matlab, Python, and R to develop and evaluate new and existing physiologic models, decision support algorithms, glycemic prediction algorithms, and control algorithms including MPC, FMPD, and adaptive controllers.
- Document and understand assigned processes and how applications supports these processes.
- Analyze and document requirements for internal and external lab system interfaces.
- Preparing manuscripts describing significant results.
- Assistant Staff Scientist should be able to work largely independently to accomplish these goals.
- Computing as required on local and external resources, careful curation of all data, and development and maintenance of software on suitable repositories.
- Attendance and presentation at lab meetings, contributions to publications as requested (writing, figures, data), contributions to applications for funding as requested (writing, figures, data).
- Begin to do supervision of graduate or other students as requested.
- Presentations of successful research at one or more national or international meeting per year, as requested.
Required Qualifications
- Doctoral degree in relevant field and and a minimum of 3 years of relevant post-doctoral work experience.
- Computer programming skills (e.g., C, R, Matlab Python).
- Experience with computer simulation of complex physical systems.
- Strong knowledge of computational diabetes.
Preferred Qualifications
- PhD in Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or Statistics.
- Experience with software packages for RSTAN MCMC simulations.
- Familiarity with compartment modeling, glucoregulatory models, machine learning, signal processing, statistics and error analysis (uncertainty quantification).
Additional Details
Work hours are 8:00am - 5:00pm with occasional evening and weekend work as needed to meet project deadlines. This is a full time 40-hour per week (1.0 FTE) position.
Compensation follows the NIH salary scale.
All are welcome
Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.Related Jobs
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Frequently asked questions
Proficiency in Matlab, Python, R, and C is crucial for modeling complex physiological systems and developing machine learning algorithms. These languages support simulation and data analysis tasks pivotal in diabetes-related computational research efforts.
While control algorithms focus on real-time insulin and glucagon delivery automation, prediction algorithms analyze large datasets to forecast hypoglycemia risks. This means balancing hands-on algorithm tuning with extensive data modeling, demanding a deep understanding of both physiological responses and computational methods.
Professionals often progress to senior scientist roles or lead specialized research projects. Gaining expertise in advanced modeling techniques and publishing impactful findings can open pathways to principal investigator positions or academic appointments.
OHSU emphasizes independent work on innovative diabetes technology projects, expecting contributions to publications, presentations at international conferences, and occasional student supervision, reflecting a balanced research and mentoring culture.
Yes, the role centers on developing computational models and predictive algorithms for diabetes management, including digital twin technologies and automated insulin delivery systems, aligning with OHSU’s focus on translational biomedical engineering.
Portland's growing biotech sector increases competition for skilled Staff Scientists, especially those with expertise in computational diabetes research. Networking within local research consortia and staying current with NIH-funded projects can improve hiring prospects.
Based on NIH scales and local market trends, salaries typically range from $70,000 to $95,000 annually, reflecting the specialized skills and postdoctoral experience required for computational biomedical roles in Portland.
OHSU's location is accessible by public transit and bike-friendly routes, easing daily commutes. However, occasional evening or weekend work might require flexible scheduling, so considering Portland’s traffic patterns during peak hours is advisable.
The position involves supervising graduate students on research tasks, fostering collaborative learning and project development. This mentorship aspect enriches the work environment and supports academic growth within the department.
Expertise in Bayesian statistical methods like RStan MCMC simulations, coupled with strong compartment modeling skills, distinguishes candidates. Familiarity with glucoregulatory models and adaptive control systems is highly valued for OHSU’s cutting-edge research.