Open rank Faculty - Department of Microbiology & Immunology (F78670, F78690, F78700, F78710, F78720)

Mission or Goal of Unit: The mission of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology is to cultivate and educate an inclusive and collaborative group composed of faculty, students, and postdoctoral fellows conducting cutting-edge research to improve human health.

The department has a history of outstanding scientific achievement and is committed to growth in research and scholarship as indicated by extramural funding support and high impact publications. Discoveries by department faculty include basic research findings that enhance our understanding of health and disease, translational research that has clinical implications, and inventions and intellectual property that benefit human health.

The department also has a history of outstanding didactic and laboratory-based education for professional and graduate students in the School of Medicine (SOM). The faculty continue to innovate and excel in the classroom and the laboratory to provide the highest quality education for future 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 impact on the department by elevating its research and teaching excellence. The new faculty members will conduct groundbreaking studies in 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. An emphasis on translational research, while not necessary, will be of interest. The level of position offered (assistant, associate, full professor) will be consistent with the experience, accomplishments and NIH grant funding of the candidate. Tenure eligible positions available based on qualifications and experience.

The expertise and experience of new faculty members will enhance the department’s overall research portfolio and competitiveness for securing new external grants. The candidate’s expertise in the science of immunology will complement existing departmental and interdepartmental strengths which will foster innovation and collaboration. The candidate will serve as a mentor for trainees and junior faculty and, additionally will bring extensive experience to support the teaching of advanced immunology taught in the graduate and medical schools. Finally, it is expected that guidance provided by the new faculty members will support trainee applications for prestigious fellowships and, ultimately for the development of successful careers. All of these accomplishments will strengthen the department’s reputation as a leader among academic Microbiology and Immunology programs.

Position Responsibilities:

Research

This position will be offered primarily for the purpose of supporting the research mission of the Department of Microbiology & Immunology. It is expected that 85% of the applicant's time will be spent in research-related activities, including time spent on establishing a laboratory (including training of personnel), conducting research that is already funded, developing new grant proposals, writing scientific papers and developing collaborations with other VCU School of Medicine research scientists and 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:

• Ph.D., M.D., M.D./Ph.D. or equivalent graduate degree in immunology or a related science
• Outstanding academic credentials
• A track record of research accomplishment in 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. Research focusing on the impact that these cells have on innate and adaptive immune responses, roles in tolerance and contributions to disease and tissue homeostasis are all of interest
• Grant funding commensurate with their current academic rank
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications:

• Record of external funding in the applicant's name
• Record of submission of funding proposals
• Teaching experience related to the discipline
• Mentoring experience
• Applications from physician-scientists are encouraged