Chair of the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Pharmacology
Indiana University School of Medicine
Application
Details
Posted: 25-Jan-25
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Executive
Sector:
College / University
Internal Number: IUSM-02142-2025
Indiana University School of Medicine, a national leader in research, education, and clinical care, is announcing the search for the inaugural Chair of the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Pharmacology, a strategic merger of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a visionary leader to advance a newly reorganized department to new heights of excellence.
The IU School of Medicine is the largest medical school in the U.S. and is ranked among the top medical schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The school offers high-quality medical education, leading medical research supported by over $500M in external funding and a wide range of clinical training on its nine campuses across the state. According to the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, the IU School of Medicine ranks No. 13 in 2023 National Institutes of Health funding among all public medical schools in the country.
The newly merged Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Pharmacology brings together the rapidly evolving and increasingly convergent fields of biochemistry and pharmacology to create new opportunities to advance the tripartite mission of the school through its contributions to research, education, and service. The unified department will be the academic home for a significant number of investigators across several major IU School of Medicine research centers including the Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Disease. Departmental strengths include diabetes/metabolism, cancer biology, neurodegenerative disease, molecular mechanisms of pain, transcriptional regulation, structural biology, and drug discovery. Competitive chair candidates will have internationally recognized research expertise one of more of these areas. The department will play a pivotal role within the School of Medicine through state-of-the-art technologies implemented in three Core Facilities operated by department faculty members: Proteomics, Chemical Genomics, and an electron microscopy Core which includes CryoEM.
The current departments are significant leadersin the education mission, contributing to and offering outstanding educational programs for medical students, graduate students, and postdoctoral trainees as well as students in allied health programs. Doctoral degrees are offered in Pharmacology and Toxicology as well as Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Master’s degrees are also offered in Translational Toxicology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Faculty members teach biochemistry in core courses of the MD curriculum as well as pharmacology across all organ systems to medical, graduate, and professional students, including physician assistants and anesthesia assistants. The faculty are deeply committed to training and mentorship of the next generation.
IUSM is committed to being an institution that reflects the learners we teach and the patient populations we serve and pursues the values of equity and inclusion that inform academic excellence. We desire candidates whose work contributes to equitable and inclusive learning and working environments for our learners, staff, and faculty. We invite individuals who will join us in our mission to improve health equity and well-being for all throughout the state of Indiana.
Indianapolis is the capital and most populous city in the state of Indiana. It is growing economically thanks to a strong corporate base anchored by the life sciences. Indiana is home to one of the largest concentrations of health sciences companies in the nation, including the largest pharmaceutical company in the world. Indianapolis has a sophisticated blend of charm and culture with a wonderful balance of business and leisure. The growing residential base is supported by rich amenities and quality of life – the city possesses a variety of professional sports, arts venues and outdoor recreation areas. Residents of this dynamic city, and surrounding suburbs, enjoy leading educational systems and top-ranked universities, paired with a diverse population. Indianapolis International Airport is a top-ranked international airport, being named “Best Airport in North America” by Airports Council International for many years. IU School of Medicine is committed to providing dual career services to assist new faculty with their personal or family’s relocation needs.
The chair will integrate and build upon the strengths of these two historically distinct departments to capitalize on synergistic research and educational opportunities. This position is ideal for a collaborative and transformational leader who is visionary in developing biomedical research programs that address current and emerging health conditions; adept at bringing people together to foster scientific collaboration; committed to mentorship of faculty and all levels of learners and trainees; and dedicated to excellence in all mission areas. Doctorate or Terminal degree is required. Minimum qualifications include an MD, PhD, MD/PhD or equivalent, and eligible for tenure based on academic credentials. The individual selected for this position will have a strong track-record of extramurally funded research and be a principled leader with exceptional communication, interpersonal and change management skills.
IU School of Medicine is the largest medical school in the United States. Comprised of five basic science departments and 20 clinical departments, IU School of Medicine offers exceptional training for students wishing to pursue a medical degree. With the Class of 2020, the school implemented a new medical education curriculum that better reflects the modern U.S. health care environment and delivery models, readying students to practice medicine in a team-based, interdisciplinary setting.
Statewide medical education centers on six core competencies.
Access to diverse patient populations reflects true state of care today.
Updates align innovations in medical science and education.
Global outreach, clinical education programs foster active learning.
Collaborative teaching and learning forges interprofessional bonds.
Academic advising and career counseling support and guide students.