Open Rank Teaching & Research Faculty Position, Department of Surgery (F74160) - SOM

Mission or Goal of Unit: The mission of the Department of Surgery is the advancement of science through research and the training of undergraduate and graduate students in our discipline. The Department fosters a level of research and professional activity essential to the graduates and to the professional growth of the faculty. We provide junior faculty with clinical and research experiences that prepare them for their professional careers. The Department is committed to the enhancement of diversity among its faculty, staff, and students.

Chief Purpose of this position: The Department of Surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University/ VCU Health System invites applications for an open rank, term faculty position specializing in translational surgical, critical care sciences, orthopedics, and/or Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). The faculty member will contribute to the department's commitment to excellence in research, program development, and education in the field of wound healing and critical care. This position is fully funded by grants for three years, at which point the faculty member will be expected to have identified programmatic and research funding for salary support. The faculty member is expected to provide support for clinical faculty and support their grant funded projects and develop their own independent research portfolio in the field of therapeutics. This position is a multi-disciplinary position supporting transdisciplinary research in the Department of Surgery. This position does not require in-classroom, formal teaching.

Position Responsibilities: 

Teaching: While this role does not require formal, in-classroom teaching, the faculty member will be expected to mentor and support postdoctoral scholars, housestaff and other trainees who rotate through our research programs.

Research: Faculty member must establish a nationally recognized research program with a record of publication in refereed journals and external funding. They are expected to develop interdisciplinary collaborations to enhance the research program at VCU. The candidate will join ongoing multidisciplinary based research activities with Department of Surgery, Internal Medicine, Engineering, and Human and Molecular Genetics and others focusing on therapeutics and treatment outcomes research. The faculty will be expected to identify intra- or extra-mural funding to support their salary after the completion of the first three years.

Service: Faculty member will serve on departmental, College, and/or University committees as necessary, as well as in a professional capacity in their field, e.g., reviewer, conference organizer, etc.

Required Qualifications: 

• Advanced degree in biochemistry or closely related field
• Demonstrated expertise in in vivo models, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, independent research projects, or federal funding
• Demonstrated experience conducting assay development; develop and stringently validate mechanistic/phenotypic biomarker assays utilizing cells and xenografts
• Ability to secure federal research funding
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Evidence of intra- or extra-mural funding as a PI or co-PI
• Experience in therapeutic strategies such as target specific antibodies, viruses, small molecules and small molecules inhibitors in vitro and in vivo
• Proficiency in quantitative and/or qualitative research methodologies
• Experience managing federally funded research projects in critical care
• Prior teaching and/or mentorship experience is desirable

Additional Information:

Vaccination Requirements: Please note that if you are employed as a university employee working in any of the health system's facilities, you will need to follow VCU Health System policies, which will include but will not be limited to, vaccination requirements.

ORP Eligibility: Yes

Restricted Position: Yes

Position Type: Teaching & Research Faculty
Full time equivalent: 100
Tenure: Ineligible
Rank: Open
Months: 12
Department: Surgery

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Jessica Carey
Contact Email: jessica.carey@vcuhealth.org