Meharry Medical College's School of Graduate Studies is seeking applicants for faculty at the ranks of Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Genomics and Epidemiology.
The department's mission is to advance transformative research into the complex interactions among genomic and socio-environmental factors that contribute to disease, including cardiometabolic diseases and cancer. A key commitment is addressing health disparities, particularly those affecting populations of African ancestry, by focusing on comprehensive, multidisciplinary approaches to improve health outcomes and promote equity.
The successful candidate will conduct independent research that aligns with the department's mission and will be involved in recruiting, mentoring, and supervising high-caliber students and postdoctoral fellows in collaboration with department and school leadership. The ideal applicant should have a proven track record in scientific leadership and collaboration, and a commitment to advancing the department as a leading research unit within the School of Graduate Studies. This includes securing extramural grant funding, achieving academic excellence, producing high-impact publications, generating intellectual property, and promoting inclusivity to support the research, education, and service missions of Meharry Medical College.
The Assistant Professor is expected to establish a research program funded by external sources. Candidates should have at least two years of postdoctoral experience in fields related to the genomics, epigenomics, cell biology and molecular biology of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and metabolic disorders. Applicants must submit a curriculum vitae, a letter of intent, and contact information for two referees.

Research Lab Leadership

• Work with trainees (graduate students and postdoctoral fellows), to establish and maintain a research program consistent with the departmental, school, and college missions
• Report to the chair of the department and serve as a liaison between the lab and other units of the institution
• Ensure lab compliance with school and college rules and regulations

Research Lab Operations

• Implement policies and procedures established by the department and college leadership
• Anticipates and secures needed resources for the success of the lab, including grant funding
• Manage the maintenance of lab records, including online resources

Personnel

• In liaison with the leadership of the department and school, recruit and supervise students
• Ensure new members of the lab have an appropriate onboarding process and orientation
• Evaluate lab staff performance and review progress
• Review staff grievances within the lab in consultation with human resources as necessary
• Oversees mentoring of new members of the lab for optimal professional development

Faculty Responsibilities

• Maintain an independent funded research lab
• Supervise PhD students
• Teach in SOGS courses as needed
• Participate in scholarly activities in the discipline, including mentorship of graduate students

• Other duties as assigned

Required Skills

• The letter of interest should include the scientific vision statement that provides a description of the applicant’s current and future research interests, their strategic vision for the research group
• The successful candidate will be expected to conduct a vibrant, externally funded research program. Particular interest will be given to applicants with the following skills and experience:
  • A solid track record in cell biology and molecular biology, as evidenced by training, work experience, and peer-reviewed publications.
  • Extensive experience with in-vitro and animal models in the study of cardiometabolic disorders and/or cancer.
  • Proven expertise in using advanced omics technologies (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) for vascular profiling, metabolic profiling and disease investigation.
  • Familiarity with creating molecular and genetic tools for research models, particularly for cells and species with translational relevance to human diseases.
  • Commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary research with data scientists and population geneticists.
  • Commitment to Meharry values, excellent interpersonal and communications skills, and be a strong team player.

Required Education and Experience

• Must have a Doctoral Degree (Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., Pharm.D., Ed.D., D.O., Dr.P.H. or other equivalent academic doctoral degree) and a record of scholarship commensurate with appointment as Assistant   Professor.
• Two years of postdoctoral fellowship experience in biomedical research with emphasis on genomics of multi-factorial traits and diseases.