Associate/Full Professor Tenure System

Working/Functional Title

Associate/Full Professor Tenure System

Position Summary

Michigan State University (MSU) College of Osteopathic Medicine seeks to hire a visionary MSU Drug Discovery Director to lead the next growth phase in MSU's drug discovery program. We seek applicants for this tenure-system Associate Professor or above position in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology who are passionate about advancing translational research, fostering innovative collaborations, and mentoring the next generation of scientists.

The university is specifically interested in applicants eager to lead the strategic expansion of MSU’s Drug Discovery Program, which includes coordinating with MSU drug discovery personnel, recruiting and mentoring three junior faculty members with a research focus on broad applications of drug discovery, the exploration of new therapeutic modalities beyond small molecules, and the continued development of the MSU drug discovery community.  In addition to maintaining their externally funded-high-impact research program, the MSU Drug Discovery Director develops and executes a long-term strategic plan to enhance MSU’s drug discovery capabilities and continue to grow the drug discovery community at MSU. The director will work with the University and the MSU Innovation Center and advise and collaborate with faculty across MSU to facilitate research translation from target discovery to validation. This position will include graduate teaching in the candidate’s area of specialty and graduate and postdoctoral training. A generous startup package and modern laboratory space will be provided to support an independent research program that advances scientific and programmatic aims.  The director will also support fund-raising activities.

The pharmacology and toxicology department hosts various core facilities to support drug discovery and development at MSU, including the Medicinal Chemistry Facility for discovery-driven drug design, non-GMP large-scale chemical synthesis and in vitro metabolism studies; Assay Development and Drug Repurposing Core for high-throughput screening and target identification and in vivo Core for preclinical studies. MSU also hosts various state-of-the-art Research Technology Support Facilities, such as; Mass Spectrometry and Metabolomics Core, Advanced Microscopic Core. Outstanding opportunities for collaboration are available with faculty across campuses, including Departments in the Colleges of Human Medicine, Natural Sciences, Osteopathic Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan AgBioResearch, the Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering (IQ), the Institute for Integrative Toxicology and associated institutions in the Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor/Detroit metro areas as well as collaborations with Henry Ford Health Systems Hospital and McLaren Health.

Michigan State University is particularly interested in individuals committed to inclusive excellence and a history of promoting diversity in their research, teaching, and service. We strongly encourage candidates to apply who will strengthen MSUCOM's commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) (https://com.msu.edu/about-us/diversity-inclusion-safety).

This position is supported through Michigan State University’s Global Impact Initiative, designed to address global grand challenges and national priorities through the creation of over 100 new faculty positions in some of the most promising – and critical – fields of research.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -relevant field.

Minimum Requirements

A doctoral degree (PhD and/or DO/MD) with extensive research experience related to drug discovery and development is required. Successful applicants must demonstrate a proven record of leading a successful, externally funded research program with a strong publication record or leading a successful drug discovery program in industry. Preference will be given to applicants with leadership experience, a history of collaboration both within the academic community and/or experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

Desired Qualifications

The ability to bridge academia and the pharmaceutical/ biotech industry; Experience in identifying Druggable targets and applying druggable targets to different diseases; the ability to manage multiple tasks/projects; Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Required Application Materials

(1) CV
(2) Cover letter
(3) List of three references.  The search committee will not contact references without first notifying the candidate. 
(4) Research Statement including a summary of current and future research (5 pages)
(5) Vision Statement of Academic Drug Discovery (3 pages)
(6) Teaching Statement (1 page)
(7) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Statement (1 page). Provide a summary of how you contributed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the past and how your vision for inclusive excellence will be integrated within your future research and/or teaching at MSUCOM (https://com.msu.edu/about-us/diversity-inclusion-safety/initiatives). 

Review of Applications Begins On

12/02/2024

Website

https://phmtox.msu.edu/

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.