Prospective Postdoctoral Scholars

Sunrise on the Aerial Tram

Why do your postdoc at OHSU?

As Oregon's only academic health center, OHSU is a locally and nationally recognized leader in healthcare, education, and advanced biomedical research. The synergy among these three enterprises leads to new cures, new standards of care, and a better understanding of the basic science that drives biomedical discovery. At OHSU, researchers are exploring new basic, translational, clinical, and applied research frontiers.

Click below to learn more about why you should do your postdoc at OHSU. You can also find more general information on the OHSU Facts and Figures webpage. 

Career education from the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs

Only you can take charge of your career! Fortunately, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs is here to help you develop your skills, explore your career options, and make informed career decisions.

The OPA serves as the central hub for information, education, and training for all postdoctoral scholars at OHSU. Whether your career goal is academic or non-academic, or even undetermined, the OPA staff can assist you with:

  • Self assessment, career exploration, and individual development plans
  • Transferable and technical skill training and development
  • Job search strategies
  • Networking
  • Application document review
  • Job offer negotiations

In addition, OHSU offers a wide range of professional development opportunities to ensure postdoctoral scholars have the tools, knowledge, and skills needed to be successful. 

Culture of mentorship

OHSU offers tremendous opportunities for learning and professional development among it's nearly 2,800 clinical and basic research faculty members. By choosing a postdoctoral position at OHSU, you choose to work among the nation's most renowned scientists, including:

  • 16 NIH NRSA Institutional Training Grant directors
  • 5 National Academy of Science members
  • 4 American Academy of Arts and Sciences members
  • 2 Lasker award winners

These, and many other faculty, are dedicated to the mentorship of the world's future scientific leaders. Want to learn more? Discover the research and experts at OHSU.

Interdisciplinary research and education

As a institution of public health, education, and research, OHSU provides unique opportunities for interdisciplinary research collaborations and educational opportunities. OHSU is home to three professional schools, the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Dentistry. In the Collaborative Life Sciences Building, OHSU collaborates in biomedical research and education with Oregon State University and Portland State University, forming the College of Pharmacy and School of Public Health, respectively.

Additionally, OHSU is comprised of 68 separate research centers and institutes, including the Vollum Institute for Advanced Biomedical Research, the Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, and the Oregon National Primate Research Center.

Learn more about OHSU's collaborations: IDEA-EM  |  ONPRC  | Community Outreach and Engagement team at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute

OHSU Innovates

OHSU has a thriving community of innovators, who disclosed 94 new invention disclosures in FY2024.  On average, OHSU innovations lead to the formation of 4-5 new startup companies each year, which seek to turn these inventions and discoveries into real-world products.

OHSU Innovates provides resources and services that can assist with the development of new innovations, including:

  • Intellectual property evaluation, protection and licensing by OHSU Technology Transfer.
  • Support for academic and industry collaborations by OHSU Collaboration and Entrepreneurship.
  • Support for transitional research by the Oregon Clinical and Translational research Institute.
  • The Biomedical Innovation Program which provides funding for proof-of-concept funding for new inventions.
  • The Commercialization Readiness Program which provides entrepreneurial education and training.
  • The Innovation and Commercialization Internship, which provides hands on experience in the fields of technology transfer, business development and patent law.

Learn more on the OHSU Innovates website.