Postdoctoral Scholar

Portland, OR, US April 17, 2026 Full Time

Department Overview

The Gibbs Laboratory in the Biomedical Engineering Department at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon, USA is recruiting a postdoctoral fellow with a strong background in synthetic organic chemistry to work on development of novel fluorophore technology to improve surgery. Our team is actively working towards the development of novel fluorophore technology to highlight both tissues to be resected (e.g., cancer) and tissues to be preserved (e.g., nerves) to improve surgical outcomes for patients using clinically translated fluorescence guided surgery technologies. We are looking for skilled, motivated synthetic chemists to join our multidisciplinary team to contribute to this highly translational project. Applicants must have a background in synthetic, organic chemistry.  Applicants should submit a cover letter explaining their interests, a CV, and a list of references.  The Gibbs laboratory is well support by the NIH and engages in a range of studies to develop novel fluorescence imaging to improve medicine.

Portland is very bike friendly, scenic, and has a vibrant culture around music, coffee, beer, and food.  The Pacific Ocean, Cascade mountains, and the Columbia gorge are all less than 90 minutes away.

Function/Duties of Position

  • Synthetic design and development of novel fluorophores to specifically highlight tissues in the body for fluorescence guided surgery.

  • Attendance and presentation at lab meetings, contributions to publications as requested (writing, figures, data), contributions to applications for funding as requested (writing, figures, data).

  • Presentations of successful research at one or more national or international meetings per year, as requested.

  • Supervision of graduate or other students as requested.

Required Qualifications

  • PhD in chemistry
  • Synthetic, organic chemistry
  • Must have strong synthetic chemistry knowledge and design novel synthetic schemes.

  • Must have excellent communication skills and work as part of a research team.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with small molecule synthesis, particularly fluorophores.

Why apply to OHSU?

We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact [email protected]
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