Chair, Department of Microbiology & Immunology - Virginia Commonwealth University

Mission or Goal of Unit: The mission of the Department of Microbiology andImmunology is to cultivate and educate an inclusive and collaborative groupcomposed of faculty, students, and postdoctoral fellows conducting cutting-edgeresearch to improve human health.

The department has ahistory of outstanding scientific achievement and is committed to growth inresearch and scholarship as indicated by extramural funding support and highimpact publications. Discoveries by department faculty include basic researchfindings that enhance our understanding of health and disease, translationalresearch that has clinical implications, and inventions and intellectualproperty that benefit human health.

The department has ahistory of outstanding didactic and laboratory-based education for professionaland graduate students in the School of Medicine (SOM). The faculty continue to innovateand excel in the classroom and the laboratory to provide the highest qualityeducation for future physicians and scientists.

Chief Purpose of this position: The VCU School of Medicine is seekingcandidates for the Department Chair of Microbiology and Immunology. Thisposition is a senior-level faculty position that has a key leadership role inthe School of Medicine. The position will lead the department in all academicendeavors, collaborating with both the basic health science and clinicaldepartments, and oversee the department’s mission, diverse faculty, andresources.

The current department has more facultywho study microbiology than immunology.  We seek a chair with expertise in immunology to enhance existingstrengths in cancer, cardiovascular, transplant, and other applied immunologydisciplines.  This effort will includepartnering with clinical departments to translate discoveries into clinicaltrials.  Enhancing immunology in thedepartment will be paired with additional growth and support formicrobiology. 

Position Responsibilities: 

Research
Define and lead the department’s research strategy by expanding basic andtranslational research. Support principal investigators and other facultywithin the school in efforts to secure appropriate grant funding (including NIHR, P, U, and T grants) and philanthropy to support research and academicpriorities. Provide expertise or vision in promoting commercialization orentrepreneurial activity for faculty.

Teaching
Advance the education mission of the School of Medicine and the university incollaboration with the leadership of VCU. Facilitate and support the trainingof the next generation of scientists and physicians who will further advance microbiologyand immunology and provide outstanding clinical care. Champion improvements ineducation of medical and graduate students.

Service
Provide the vision and leadership to advance the department, school, anduniversity in its standing in the community, commonwealth, nation, and beyond.Serve on school and university committees, study sections, academic societies,and as journal editor and/or on editorial boards. Demonstrate a commitment toservice within the community. Lead the department to develop and nurture relationshipswith key partners.

Administrative/Leadership
Financial Management:  Prepare, oversee and implement the Microbiologyand Immunology departmental budget that encompasses all funding sources andensures compliance with grant, legislative and institutional guidelines.Effectively manage available resources. Ensure ethical and fiscally responsiblepractices within the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Support allinstitutional compliance activities. Recruit, hire and retain outstanding,diverse faculty. Ensure an atmosphere of support and development. Encouragephilanthropic gifts.  Be a highly visible collaborative leader insupporting VCU School of Medicine strategic direction in partnershipwith department chairs, SOM academic affairs, and research leadership.  

Leadership: Take a highly respected microbiology and immunology departmentto the next level of academic excellence. Act as an exemplary role model foracademic excellence. Provide a strong and impassioned vision for buildingexcellence in all aspects of the academic mission. Understand, appreciate, andprepare for current and future trends in the sciences and help develop a visionfor the future of basic science research at the SOM.  Promote members of the department to nationalcommittees and nominate them for awards.

Relationship Building: Build strong relationships with others in anenvironment where the other health sciences schools and the hospital arepartners and where Microbiology and Immunology faculty and staff collaboratewith other departments to ensure mutual achievement. Collaborate with the VAMedical Center to build teaching, and research relationships.

Mentorship: Mentor and develop trainees and junior faculty. Committo and actively participate in undergraduate medical and graduateeducation.  Identify, recruit and retain the next generation of superiorfaculty members

Required Qualifications: 

-PhD in a relevant area
-Eligibility to work in the United States
-Academic rank of Professor with academic achievements
-A distinguished record of outstanding scientific achievements as evidenced by influential publications, sustained extramural peer-reviewed research funding, and national and international recognition in immunology
-Experience in developing intellectual property and translating research findings into products of potential benefit to human health
-Experience and leadership in education of both professional and graduate students
-Successful administrative and leadership experience at an academic institution, such as a Department Chair, Division Chief/Section -Head or Program Director
-Experience developing junior faculty and academic leaders with a reputation for excellence in mentorship of students and trainees
-Demonstrated ability to identify and recruit a diverse faculty, such as service on recruitment committees
-Experience building or expanding a program, department or group within an organization.
-Demonstrated successful collaborative academic leadership
-Demonstrated managerial and business acumen
-Experience in and demonstrated knowledge of the complex financial pressures facing academic departments
-Ability to work well with people at all levels - university, community, faculty, and staff. A reputation as a consensus builder and someone who can resolve conflict for the betterment of the organization
-Unimpeachable integrity and personal ethics
-Outstanding communication skills, both oral and written
-Strong organizational and process-management skills
-High energy coupled with a strong work ethic and a desire to have a meaningful impact
-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: 

-Leadership by example with intent/desire to continue research and teaching while serving as Department of Microbiology and Immunology Chair
-Experience with P and U grant writing and leadership
-Demonstrated ability to collaborate with clinicians on education and research endeavors.
-Ability to contribute in highly-matrixed academic environment as member of SOM leadership team
-Willingness to engage broadly with VCU as an institutional leader and to be a highly visible ambassador for SOM internally, in the Richmond community, and across Virginia
-Outgoing and personable demeanor and a track record of forging win-win relationships
-Ability to see the bigger picture of issues and the role of the department
-History of trainees who have developed into successful faculty members at their institution or elsewhere 

Position Type: Teaching & Research Faculty
Full time equivalent: 100%
Tenure: Open
Rank: Open
Months: 12
Department:Microbiology & Immunolocgy

Salary: Commensurate

ORP Eligible:  Yes

Restricted: No

Contact Name: Katherine Mulloy, Director, Faculty Affairs
Contact Email: kmulloy@vcu.edu