Informatics Innovation Lab Manager (Manager, IT Applications 1)

Department Overview

The Oregon Clinical Translational Research Institute (OCTRI) at OHSU is a catalyst for scientific collaboration, translation of biomedical advances into the community, innovation and research growth in Oregon and beyond. OCTRI's mission is to enhance the efficiency and quality of rigorously translating research ideas into impact. To accomplish our mission, our 80-90 employees spread across 13 teams provide a broad expanse of clinical and translational services that include training, funding, research support, and community engagement. OCTRI is part of the National Center for Translational Sciences (NCATS)-funded CTSA consortium that encompasses 60+ hubs around the country.

 

Visit our website to learn more: octri.org

Function/Duties of Position

The Innovation Lab Manager serves as a member of the OCTRI Informatics leadership team, directs the OCTRI Informatics Innovation Lab, providing scientific, technical, and operational leadership for the Lab’s research and development portfolio. The position leads a multidisciplinary team of research engineers, software developers, data engineers, and other technical personnel working with investigators to translate scientific questions into data products, software applications, research platforms, and other informatics solutions.

 

Scientific Engagement and Research Development  Lead interactions with investigators and Innovation Lab staff to translate scientific questions into informatics approaches, data requirements, technical specifications, software applications, datasets, and research infrastructure. Develop new research concepts and identify opportunities where Innovation Lab capabilities can advance investigator and institutional priorities.

 

Grant Development and Sponsored ResearchCollaborate with investigators, staff scientists, the Director, and OCTRI research administration to develop grant proposals and other sponsored research activities. Contribute to scientific and technical sections, scopes of work, staffing plans, resource estimates, budgets and budget justifications, proposal submissions, progress reports, renewals, and related sponsored-project requirements. Identify new funding opportunities aligned with Innovation Lab and OCTRI Informatics priorities.

 

Innovation Lab Leadership and Personnel ManagementDirectly supervise and provide day-to-day leadership for research engineers and other Innovation Lab personnel. Establish priorities, assign work, mentor staff, support professional development, participate in recruitment and performance management, and coordinate staffing across projects. Work with the Director to build and maintain the scientific and technical capabilities of the Lab.

 

Product Strategy, Roadmap and Lifecycle OwnershipOversee project intake, feasibility assessment, prioritization, planning, development, implementation, and production launch across the Innovation Lab portfolio. Manage roadmaps, timelines, dependencies, deliverables, risks, and resource allocation across concurrent projects. Oversee Agile development activities, including sprint planning, backlog management, and delivery tracking using Jira, Asana and other related tools.

 

Strategic Planning and Institutional PartnershipsWork with the Director on scientific and technical strategy, Innovation Lab priorities, partnerships, and longer-term planning. Represent the Innovation Lab in institutional and collaborative initiatives as appropriate and develop relationships that expand the Lab’s research, technical, and funding opportunities.

 

Scientific Evaluation and Scholarly OutputLead and contribute to evaluation of Innovation Lab products and methods and to manuscripts, abstracts, presentations, reports, and other scholarly outputs. Promote reproducible approaches and dissemination of lessons learned from informatics development and implementation.

 

Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Business Administration or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5 years of progressively responsible experience in development management.
• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies and tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence).
• Ability to translate abstract scientific, analytic, or operational concepts into clear technical specifications and user stories.
• Strong understanding of user experience (UX) principles in research or clinical workflows.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including communication with investigators, technical teams, and leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education in a technical or scientific discipline (e.g., biomedical informatics, computer science, engineering, information sciences, data science, epidemiology, computational sciences) or equivalent experience.
• Proven track record of managing informatics or technology products (software, databases, data platforms, or IT applications) through the full lifecycle, from discovery and scientific scoping through launch and iteration.
• Demonstrated experience working closely with investigators, researchers, or domain experts to translate complex requirements into implemented technical solutions.
• Experience in healthcare, clinical research, or life sciences environments leading informatics or data-driven projects.
• Experience contributing to evaluation, validation, or dissemination of informatics tools, including participation in manuscripts, abstracts, reports, or presentations.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills in complex research or informatics environments.
• Strong leadership and influencing skills without direct authority.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams including researchers, clinicians, software engineers, and data scientists.
• Relevant professional certifications or formal training in informatics, data science, product management, or project management.

Additional Details

Generally, Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week. This position is eligible for remote work, to be discussed with manager. Details regarding agreed-upon schedule, required technology, environment and other OHSU conditions are detailed in the remote work documentation filled out by the employee and manager and approved by the manager.

 

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.

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]