Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences (OSU-CHS), located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, stands as a cornerstone of health professions education and research in the United States. Established to address critical healthcare shortages, particularly in rural areas, OSU-CHS specializes in training physicians, scientists, and healthcare leaders. Jobs at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences attract professionals passionate about advancing osteopathic medicine, biomedical research, and public health. This center, part of the broader Oklahoma State University system, emphasizes hands-on clinical training and innovative research, making it an ideal workplace for those committed to improving community health outcomes.
The institution's focus on graduate-level programs sets it apart, offering opportunities in fields like Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), which differs from allopathic MD training by incorporating holistic approaches and osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). Careers here span teaching, research, clinical practice, and administration, contributing to Oklahoma's healthcare workforce.
Founded in 1988 as the Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, OSU-CHS evolved into its current form in 2004 upon integration with Oklahoma State University. This merger expanded resources, enabling growth in research and interprofessional education. Key milestones include becoming the state's only osteopathic medical school, launching the School of Forensic Sciences in 2006, and establishing centers for rural and biosciences health. Today, it graduates hundreds of healthcare professionals annually, with alumni serving across the US, especially in underserved regions. Understanding this history highlights why jobs at OSU-CHS appeal to those valuing legacy and impact.
OSU-CHS houses several colleges and schools driving its job ecosystem. The College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) trains DO physicians through a rigorous four-year curriculum blending classroom learning, clinical rotations, and research. The Graduate College offers master's and PhD programs in biomedical sciences, nutritional sciences, and healthcare sciences. The School of Forensic Sciences leads in toxicology, pathology, and digital forensics, while the School of Community Medicine focuses on primary care in Tulsa's urban core.
These programs create diverse job openings, from tenure-track faculty to lab managers. For instance, COM faculty often engage in OMT research, publishing in journals like the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.
Jobs at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences include faculty positions like assistant professors in anatomy or pharmacology, research associates in biosciences labs, clinical coordinators, and administrative roles such as program directors. Postdoctoral fellows support grant-funded projects on topics like opioid crisis interventions or rural telehealth. Staff positions cover IT support for simulation labs and student affairs advising. For a full overview of university job types, including tenure-track versus non-tenure, clinical versus research-focused roles, visit dedicated resources.
To fully grasp opportunities, key terms include:
Most faculty jobs at OSU-CHS demand a PhD, DO, or MD in relevant fields like physiology, microbiology, or public health. Research roles often require a master's minimum, with PhD preferred for independence. Clinical faculty need Oklahoma medical licensure and residency completion. Administrative positions may seek MPH or MHA alongside experience. These standards ensure candidates contribute to accreditation by bodies like the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).
OSU-CHS prioritizes research addressing Oklahoma's challenges: rural health disparities, obesity prevention, substance abuse, and forensic pathology. Expertise in NIH-funded projects, bioinformatics, or clinical trials is highly valued. Centers like the Center for Rural Health offer niches in telemedicine and population health analytics.
Top candidates boast 3-5 years post-doctoral experience, 5+ peer-reviewed publications, successful grants (e.g., from AOA or OCAST), and teaching portfolios. Clinical experience in primary care or emergency medicine strengthens applications for COM roles.
Essential skills encompass grant writing, statistical analysis (R, SAS), curriculum development, mentorship, and cultural humility for diverse student bodies. Soft skills like teamwork in IPE settings and adaptability to hybrid teaching post-COVID are critical.
The process starts with online submission via OSU's Workday portal: upload CV, cover letter, transcripts, and references. Interviews involve teaching demos, research seminars, and campus visits. Tips: Customize materials to OSU-CHS's mission; use tips for a winning academic CV; network at AOA conferences; highlight rural health commitment. Prepare for questions on OMT integration or equity in education. Follow up promptly; applications reviewed year-round for some roles.
OSU-CHS advances inclusion through the Office of Multicultural Affairs, offering scholarships for underrepresented students and faculty pipeline programs. Initiatives include bias training, employee resource groups for LGBTQ+ and veterans, and partnerships with tribal nations for Native American recruitment. In 2023, 25% of incoming class identified as underrepresented minorities, reflecting commitment to equitable healthcare.
Tulsa's vibrant scene—riverside trails, arts districts, minor league baseball—complements OSU-CHS's modern campus with simulation centers, fitness facilities, and on-site childcare. Employees access generous PTO (up to 22 days/year), parental leave, EAP counseling, and sabbaticals. Flexible hybrid models post-pandemic support balance, with low cost-of-living enabling focus on career and family. Campus events like health fairs foster community.
Competitive salaries: assistant professors ~$120K-$150K, researchers $70K-$100K, per AAMC data adjusted for region. Benefits include TIAA retirement match, health premiums under $100/month, tuition remission for dependents, and research startup funds up to $50K.
In summary, jobs at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences offer meaningful impact in health education. Explore higher ed jobs, higher ed career advice, university jobs, or post a job on AcademicJobs.com. Related reads: employer branding secrets and research assistant excellence. For research jobs or professor jobs, OSU-CHS exemplifies opportunity in US higher ed.
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