Assistant Professor

US-OR-Portland

Requisition ID: 2026-42383
Position Category: Faculty/Provider
Job Type: Faculty
Position Type: Regular Full-Time
Posting Department: Behavioral Neuroscience
Posting Salary Range: $103,510 - $137,765 per year, with offer based on relevant qualifications and internal equity
Posting FTE: 1.00
Posting Schedule: Monday - Friday, occasional weekend and evening work
Posting Hours: Variable, 8:00am - 5:00pm
HR Mission: School of Medicine
Drug Testable: No

Department Overview

The Department of Behavioral Neuroscience at Oregon Health & Science University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position. We seek an innovative early-career investigator whose research bridges two or more of the department's established strengths (described under Research and Training Environment, below) and advances understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying disorders of motivated behavior (including addiction).

Candidates with a focus on additional neuropsychiatric disorders and related behaviors will also be considered. The successful candidate will establish an independent and externally funded research program while contributing to OHSU's collaborative neuroscience research and training environment.

Function/Duties of Position

• Establish and maintain an innovative, independent, and externally funded research program.
• Develop and submit competitive applications for NIH and other extramural funding.
• Publish research findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and present at national and international scientific meetings.
• Develop and foster collaborative research relationships within the department and across OHSU.
• Mentor and supervise graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research staff, and other trainees.
• Participate in the teaching and training missions of the department and associated graduate programs.
• Serve on graduate student committees, dissertation committees, and other academic committees.
• Contribute to NIH-supported training programs and other workforce development activities.
• Participate in departmental, university, and professional service activities.
• Engage in professional development through scientific societies, editorial activities, study sections, and other scholarly activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chair in furtherance of the university's missions and goals.

Research and Training Environment

The Department of Behavioral Neuroscience maintains nationally recognized strengths in:

• neural circuits and systems underlying behavior
• addiction and substance use disorders
• neurobiology of brain disorders
• cognitive neuroscience
• aging and developmental neuroscience
• behavioral genetics.

Sophisticated behavioral, cellular and molecular neuroscience methods are applied. The department supports a robust portfolio of NIH-funded research and maintains collaborations across OHSU, including partnerships with the Vollum Institute, VA Portland Health Care System, Oregon National Primate Research Center, and other neuroscience-focused departments, institutes and scientists.

The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative environment that includes three NIH-funded training grants and the Portland Alcohol Research Center (PARC), which has maintained continuous NIH support for more than three decades. These programs provide exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, mentorship, and trainee development.

Candidates whose research complements existing departmental strengths, possess expertise with emerging technologies and computational approaches, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and focus on translation to human behavioral health are especially encouraged to apply.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.D., or M.D./Ph.D. degree in neuroscience or a relevant discipline
• Appropriate postdoctoral research experience
• Strong record of peer-reviewed publications
• Evidence of scientific excellence and potential for establishing an independent research program, including obtaining competitive extramural funding

Additional Details

To Apply

Applicants should submit a single PDF file containing a cover letter, CV, and a 3-page (maximum) statement of research interests to Kris Thomason at thomason@ohsu.edu.

The position will remain open until filled. Only complete applications will be considered. Reviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Letters of reference may be requested during the review process.

Benefits

• Healthcare for full-time employees covered 100% and 88% for dependents.
• $50K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee.
• Two separate above market pension plans to choose from.
• Paid time off - 208 hours per year, prorated for part-time.
• Extended illness bank - 64 hours per year, prorated for part-time.
• 9 paid holidays per year.
• Substantial Tri-Met and C-Tran discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Childcare service discounts.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Employee discounts to local and major businesses.