Chair, Physiology And Cell Biology

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) appreciates your interest in employment at our growing institution. We want your application process to go smoothly and quickly. Final applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment.

If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact our recruitment helpline at (775) 784-1495 or jobs@unr.edu. For UNR Med professional job postings, please contact the Office of Professional Recruitment at (775) 784-6778.

The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) invites applications for the position of Chair, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology.

UNR Med seeks a dynamic, visionary leader to drive innovation and collaboration as Chair, advancing the Department to meet the evolving needs of the Medical School and University.  The Department excels in research focused on smooth muscle biology, neurobiology, muscular dystrophies, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and computational biology. It is home to a dynamic group of over 30 academic faculty engaged in research, education and the training of the next generation of scientists and health care professionals.  Advanced technologies at UNR Med include high-resolution cell and tissue imaging, Ca2+ imaging, fluorescence liquid chromatography, nano-immunoassays, flow cytometry, gene editing, single-cell transcriptomics, spatial-omics, and in vivo rodent imaging.

Departmental research is supported by extramural grants totaling $6.4M in FY24, with strong representation of funding from the National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Departmental faculty are active in teaching graduate, medical, physician assistant and undergraduate students, and training postdoctoral scholars. Faculty excellence spans Clinical Gross Anatomy, Histology, Physiology, Cell Biology, Embryology, Genetics, Neuroanatomy and Neuroscience.

The Chair is expected to enhance research expertise and productivity as well as extramural funding and innovation, ensuring that the Department and Institution continue to rise in impact. In particular, the Chair will play a role in growing translational and clinical research, including cancer research, as part of our commitment to the development of an integrated academic health system with our affiliated partner, Renown Health.  The Chair will uphold UNR’s land-grant mission by fostering innovative research and educational opportunities while maintaining a strong commitment to serving Nevada’s population and fulfilling UNR Med’s vision of A Healthy Nevada.

A successful Chair will be expected to address a set of key opportunities and challenges, namely:

• Strengthen the Department’s research agenda and expand basic and translational research areas within the Department.
• Promote interdisciplinary collaboration within UNR Med including with the other biomedical research (Pharmacology and Microbiology & Immunology) and clinical departments, the university at large, and Renown Health.
• Recruit, retain, and support diverse faculty to enhance teaching, scholarship, and research excellence.
• Secure extramural funding opportunities for the department, as well as liaise with outside donors and legislators to enhance visibility and reputation of the Department and the institution.
• Develop a forward-looking 5-year departmental strategic plan
• Sustain and enrich educational excellence of interprofessional learners at all levels.
• Ensure and enhance the department’s role in teaching the pre-clinical courses for medical and PA studies students.
• Develop and support a mentoring program that assures the career advancement of faculty, early career scientists, and trainees.
• Oversee and optimize the department’s annual budget in close collaboration with the senior associate dean for administration and finance.
• Foster a community of scientists that will be a sought-after academic home for trainees and junior faculty.
• Align departmental goals with UNR Med’s Strategic Plan for 2024-2029 and the UNR’s Wolf Pack Rising initiatives.
• Foster an environment that advances the Department’s commitment to inclusive excellence in all mission areas.
• Contribute toward teaching and maintain an actively funded research program that complements or expands departmental strengths.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must hold a PhD or MD/PhD and academic credentials that qualify for appointment at the level of Professor or Associate professor; eligibility to work in the United States; and demonstrated skills in strategic planning and administration of an academic unit. Candidates should have demonstrated excellence in biomedical research, medical education and mentoring. Prior experience as an academic leader is desirable.

Preferred Qualifications

The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine will be utilizing a holistic review process weighing experiences, attributes, competencies, and metrics to identify a diverse pool of qualified applicants. Ideal candidates will demonstrate aptitude in the following areas:

• Vision and values alignment with UNR, UNR Med and the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology
• Teaching and mentorship
• Relationship building and team development
• Growth of research and scholarly activity including acquisition of extramural funding
• Interprofessional collaboration
• Cultural humility
• Professionalism and communication/interpersonal skills
• Entrepreneurship and innovation
• Experience with regulatory agencies
• Change management
• Background in securing funding from extramural, private foundation and donor funding

Compensation Grade

Academic appointment commensurate with experience plus stipend for duties as Chair.

Remarkable Retirement Benefits

The Chair will be automatically enrolled in the generous retirement program of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) unless they are members of PERS of Nevada. Our retirement plan includes a 17.5% contribution match by the University and vesting occurs on day one.

Perks of Working at UNR

• Health insurance options including dental and vision - Health Insurance
• Generous annual and sick leave and life insurance  – Faculty Benefits
• E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center offers an annual or semester membership and family membership options.  E.L. Wiegand Fitness Center
• Mountain EAP supports employees (and eligible dependents) through life's difficult moments. Mountain EAP is located in Reno and specializes in counseling and advising services for personal or interpersonal issues.
• Faculty Senate is the principal representing body for faculty. Its membership includes representatives from each academic and administrative major unit of the University. Faculty Senate
• No state income tax

Grants-in-aid for Faculty Employees

The University is proud to provide a reduced-rate tuition benefit to faculty and qualified dependents. Faculty can take up to six credits per semester at a reduced rate. Dependents of faculty have unlimited credits, but in order to be eligible, children must be unmarried and under the age of 24 and must receive at least 50% of their financial support from the employee and/or employee’s spouse or domestic partner.  Faculty Grants-in-Aid

Faculty Dual Career Assistance Program

The University of Nevada, Reno recognizes the importance of addressing dual-career couples’ professional needs. We offer a dual career assistance program to newly hired faculty spouses/partners that provides resources and assists them to identify career opportunities in Northern Nevada. Dual Career Assistance Program

Search Contact

Chonti Sauder

Search Coordinator

csauder@med.unr.edu 

Meghan Davidson

Recruiter

meghand@med.unr.edu 

Attach the following three documents to your application

1)  Academic CV (NIH biosketch may also be included)

2) Letter of Application (Cover letter)

3) Three professional references (name, title, company/organization, email address, phone number)

Institution Information

To learn more about UNR Med, please visit https://med.unr.edu/

University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) 

For over 50 years, the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) has trained physicians who are leading the way to 'A Healthy Nevada', nation, and world. Community-based and research-intensive, UNR Med is committed to our four-part mission of education, research, clinical care, and service. We show this commitment through our demonstrated core values: people are our strength, we innovate and improve, we serve with integrity, and we succeed with trust and respect.

Our mission has guided our growth in graduating the next generation of primary and specialty care physicians and medical researchers while maintaining personalized instruction. The School of Medicine has statewide reach with local and regional impact, providing patient care, health services, and training opportunities. We are actively expanding technologically-advanced infrastructure to keep pace with our world-class research to meet the needs of students, patients, and researchers. We seek to create an environment that serves all who enter our doors, from the scientists and clinicians who teach our learners to our employees, patients, and students.

At UNR Med, researchers and students are empowered to transform health care and tackle some of the world’s most pressing medical challenges. UNR Med provides researchers access to modern laboratories, core facilities and cutting-edge equipment. The Nevada State Public Health Laboratory is located on the UNR Med campus and reports to the dean. The Sanford Center for Aging and the Office of Statewide Initiatives add further depth and reputation acclaim to the institution.

In collaboration with Renown Health, researchers have the resources to develop clinical trials and novel therapeutics that improve health care locally and globally. Clinical, translational and basic research is supported by extramural grants from agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, Centers for Disease Control and the State of Nevada. Notable areas of focus include cardiovascular research, smooth muscle biology, neuroscience, therapies for muscular dystrophies, and advanced diagnostics and therapeutics for established and emerging infectious diseases. UNR Med was awarded a five-year Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) support to conduct research in Molecular and Cellular Signal Transduction in the Cardiovascular System. In Academic Year 2023-24, UNR Med garnered a total of $23,720,294 in extramural research grants and additional funds from service agencies.

This posting is open until filled

Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. Lists of eligible candidates will be established and hiring may occur early in the recruiting process. Recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received, or a hiring decision has been made.

A background check will be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents. If the academic credentials cannot be verified, HR will notify the faculty member that an official transcript of their highest degree must be submitted within thirty days of the faculty member’s first day of employment.

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.

Applicants hired on a federal contract may be subject to E-Verify.

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

For positions that require driving, evidence of a valid driver's license will be required at the time of employment and as a condition of continued employment.

Schedules are subject to change based on organizational needs.

University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine