Mission or Goal of Unit: The mission of the Departmentof Microbiology and Immunology is to cultivate and educate an inclusive andcollaborative group composed of faculty, students, and postdoctoral fellowsconducting cutting-edge research to improve human health.
The department has a historyof outstanding scientific achievement and is committed to growth in researchand scholarship as indicated by extramural funding support and high impactpublications. Discoveries by department faculty include basic research findingsthat enhance our understanding of health and disease, translational researchthat has clinical implications, and inventions and intellectual property thatbenefit human health.
The department also has a history of outstanding didacticand laboratory-based education for professional and graduate students in theSchool of Medicine (SOM). The faculty continue to innovate and excel in theclassroom and the laboratory to provide the highest quality education forfuture physicians and scientists
Chief Purpose of this position: The Department of Microbiology and immunology is seeking applicants for several new faculty at the assistant,associate or full professor level. These positions will have an immediate and significant impacton the department by elevating its research andteaching excellence. The new faculty members will conduct groundbreaking studiesin immunology including, but not limited to, neuroimmunology, autoimmunity,development and function of B cells, T cells, NK cells, gd T cells, innate-like cells, macrophages and other myeloid cells. Anemphasis on translational research, while not necessary, will be of interest. Thelevel of position offered (assistant, associate, full professor) will be consistent with the experience, accomplishments and NIH grantfunding of the candidate. Tenure eligible positions available based on qualifications and experience.
The expertise and experienceof new faculty members will enhance the department’s overall research portfolioand competitiveness for securing new external grants. The candidate’s expertisein the science of immunology will complement existing departmental andinterdepartmental strengths which will foster innovation and collaboration. Thecandidate will serve as a mentor for trainees and junior faculty and,additionally will bring extensive experience to support the teaching of advancedimmunology taught in the graduate and medical schools. Finally, it is expectedthat guidance provided by the new faculty members will support traineeapplications for prestigious fellowships and, ultimately for the development ofsuccessful careers. All of these accomplishments will strengthen thedepartment’s reputation as a leader among academic Microbiology and Immunologyprograms.
Position Responsibilities:
Research
This position will be offered primarily for thepurpose of supporting the research mission of the Department of Microbiology& Immunology. It is expected that 85% of the applicant's time will be spentin research-related activities, including time spent on establishing alaboratory (including training of personnel), conducting research that isalready funded, developing new grant proposals, writing scientific papers anddeveloping collaborations with other VCU School of Medicine research scientistsand clinicians.
Teaching
Candidate is also expected to support departmental teaching activities. Principal among these is expected to be the training of MS, PhD, MD residents and fellows, postdoctoral scholars and undergraduate students and in research methods and scientific writing. As part of those efforts the applicant will be expected to guide students through their qualifying exams and their MS or PhD thesis defense. Applicants will be expected to participate in and/or serve as course directors for the numerous graduate courses that we offer in the Microbiology & Immunology PhD program. Opportunities to teach infection and immunity coursework for medical students will also be available. The candidate’s involvement in teaching may also require participation in exam preparation, student evaluation, and/or curricular design as individual courses undergo modifications in response to the specific needs of the schools of Medicine, Dentistry, and Graduate Education. Effort will be based on candidate experience, qualifications and departmental need.
Service
Service to the profession will be expected, as will service to VCU, the SOM, and/or the department. The total reported time spent on service will be limited to a maximum of 5% of the faculty member's effort unless approved by the Chair of the department. Service to the profession is important for faculty development, and examples are grant review, manuscript review, or activities as a member of a scientific research organization.
The allocations for research, teaching, and service will depend upon the individual faculty member and will be determined by yearly discussions with the Chair.
Required Qualifications:
Positions will be offered at the Assistant, Associate or Full Professor level. Tenure eligible status available based on qualifications and experience.
Assistant professors are typically nearing the completion of their postdoctoral training and will be expected to have high profile publications, participation in national and international meetings and outstanding research proposals. Funding (K-, R- or foundation awards) is preferred but not expected.
Associate professors are expected to have national and growing international recognition, excellence in mentoring and teaching and at least one, current, major external grant.
Professors are expected to have international recognition, substantial evidence of successful mentoring of both trainees and junior faculty, outstanding teaching credentials and a minimum of one substantial external grant.
Required Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Position Type: Teaching & Research Faculty
Full time equivalent: 100
ORP Eligible: Yes
Tenure: Open
Rank: Open
Months: 12
Department:Microbiology and Immunology
Salary: Commensurate
Contact Information:
Contact Name: SOMHR
Contact Email: SOMHR@vcu.edu