Assistant/Associate Professor of Research and Medical Investigator

At the forefront of medical discovery as it relates to understanding the causes of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia, Pennington Biomedical Research Center is a campus of Louisiana State University and conducts basic, clinical and population research. The Center includes Basic Science, Clinical Research, and Population and Public Health, enabling both focused research and translational science. Research at Pennington Biomedical is supported broadly by multiple NIH Research Centers, and includes approximately 65 faculty and 20 postdoctoral fellows who comprise a network of 44 laboratories and 13 highly specialized core service facilities. Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the-art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Position Type

Faculty

Department

LSUPBRC ExD - Clinical Science (Juan Lertora (00057945))

Work Location:

LSU - Pennington Biomedical

Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a world-renowned academic research institute of Louisiana State University, is seeking an Assistant or Associate Professor of Research and Medical Investigator in Clinical Science.

This faculty position will be split 70% for clinical work and 30% for independent research program, and will oversee clinical trials, perform safety medical reviews, participate in the development of clinical trials, and oversee the medical aspects of clinical research projects initiated by scientists at Pennington Biomedical.

Major Responsibilities

Research

• Establish, develop, and sustain an independent, externally funded research program in endocrinology and metabolism, with a strong expectation of securing major peer-reviewed support (e.g., NIH R01 or equivalent mechanisms).
• Design and conduct innovative, rigorous, and impactful research that advances the scientific understanding of metabolic health and disease.
• Disseminate research findings through publication in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals and presentation at regional, national, and international scientific meetings.
• Actively engage in interdisciplinary collaboration with principal investigators and research teams across Pennington Biomedical to foster synergistic science and enhance translational impact.
• Contribute to the academic mission through mentorship and supervision of trainees, including graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff, as appropriate.
• Participate in scholarly and professional service activities, including peer review of manuscripts and grants, service on study sections or advisory panels, and active involvement in relevant professional societies.
• Support institutional initiatives by contributing to program development, collaborative grant submissions, and strategic research priorities.
• Maintain compliance with all regulatory, ethical, and institutional requirements related to research conduct.
• Demonstrate a commitment to excellence in research, collegiality, and service consistent with the standards of an Assistant/Associate Professor appointment.
  
  

Clinical Service

• Provide clinical coverage within the Clinical Research Unit to support active research protocols, ensuring high-quality, compliance, and participant-centered care.
• Serve as Medical Investigator or Co-Investigator on funded clinical and translational research projects, contributing to study design, implementation, safety oversight, and interpretation of clinical outcomes.
• Participate in an equitable on-call rotation with medical staff to support Clinical Research Unit operations and ensure continuity of care for research participants.
• Contribute clinical expertise to interdisciplinary research teams, supporting the integration of clinical insight into ongoing and future endocrinology and metabolism studies.
• Engage in clinical activities that advance the institution’s translational mission, which may include service in Pennington Biomedical treatment clinics as determined by programmatic needs, medical staff coverage, and the Executive Director.
• Adhere to all institutional, regulatory, and ethical standards related to clinical care and human subjects research.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• MD or DO degree from an accredited medical school.
• Board Certification in Internal Medicine or Family Practice.
• Eligibility for medical licensure in the State of Louisiana, with appointment contingent upon successful licensure and credentialing/privileging at all applicable practice sites.
• Completion of residency in Internal Medicine or Family Practice, with a minimum of 3–5 years of post-residency clinical and/or academic experience.
• Strong oral, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary academic and clinical environment.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with ability to balance clinical, research, and scholarly responsibilities.
• Commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary team science.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Board Certification: Endocrinology or Obesity Medicine.
• Fellowship training in Endocrinology, Metabolism, or a related specialty (or equivalent research experience).
• Experience in a research setting – implementation of Clinical Trials for investigational drugs and/or biologics.
• Demonstrated track record of peer-reviewed publications in relevant fields.
• Experience serving as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on clinical or translational research studies.
• Demonstrated experience in clinical and/or translational research, including participation in funded studies.
• Record of peer-reviewed scholarly publications.
  
  

Pennington Biomedical Research Center (PBRC) is an equal employment opportunity employer and serves as a model employer for individuals with disabilities.