Department of Biomedical Sciences Chair and Professor, Tenured

Salary/Position Classification

• $300,000 commensurate with experience annual, Exempt
• This position will work onsite the Grand Forks, ND campus.

Purpose of Position

The Chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences will provide leadership and strategic direction for the department. This role involves overseeing and advancing the department's academic, research, and administrative functions, ensuring the highest standards of excellence in education, research, and service. The Chair will work collaboratively with the dean, chairs of the clinical and health science departments, and other senior leadership to increase and support interdisciplinary research and education in alignment with the mission and vision of UND SMHS and will work collaboratively with faculty, staff and students to foster a collegial, supportive and innovative environment in the department.

Department Overview
The Department of Biomedical Sciences (https://med.und.edu/education-training/biomedical-sciences/index.html) at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences is a vibrant, research-intensive basic science unit with strengths in areas such as addiction, aging, cancer, epigenetics, host-pathogen interactions, lipid metabolism, neuroscience, and obesity research. The department fosters multidisciplinary collaboration across regional, national, and international research communities and benefits from state-of-the-art core facilities and expansive research space, as well as excellent collaborative relationships with clinical partners throughout the region. With active research projects, competitive external funding, and strong publication output, faculty and trainees engage in cutting-edge investigation while contributing to the education of graduate, MD, and undergraduate students. The department provides the academic quality, delivery, and continuous improvement of the contributions to both the Doctor of Medicine (MD) curriculum and a broad array of graduate degrees (MS, PhD, and MD/PhD) that prepare students for careers in medicine, biomedical research, academia, and related fields, and provides significant opportunities for undergraduate research experiences in faculty laboratories.

Reporting Relationship
Reports to the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Leadership and Administration: Provide visionary leadership to the department; manage daily operations, including direct oversight of the financial and human resources of the department; oversee research space usage and equipment inventory in the department; recommend personnel actions to the dean and senior leadership, including effort allocation and annual merit; ensure compliance with university policies and procedures; appoint department committees, as necessary, to address issues of interest and importance to the department.
• Strategic Planning: Collaborate with the SMHS dean and senior leadership in constructing and implementing an innovative strategic plan for the department in alignment with the strategic pillars in the SMHS strategic plan and UND LEADS.
• Academic Oversight: Responsible for academic quality, delivery, and continuous improvement of the department’s contributions to both the Doctor of Medicine (MD) curriculum and the graduate (PhD) programs, having a deep understanding that the MD curriculum is owned by the faculty and governed through the Curriculum Committee, on which biomedical sciences faculty are represented and administrative/accreditation oversight is provided by the office of undergraduate medical education. For the graduate studies program, the Chair exercises direct responsibility for ensuring curriculum design, faculty oversight, assessment of student learning, program evaluation/academic program review, student mentorship, and compliance with institutional and accrediting body requirements.
• Research and Scholarship: Inspire and strengthen faculty pursuit of extramural funding and scholarly publications; promote and support research activities within the department that enhance utilization of research space and resources; promote effective collaboration among scientists within different disciplines and strengthen collaborations between biomedical sciences faculty and colleagues across UND as well as with colleagues at institutions and organizations external to UND; interface with the UND Division of Research and Economic Development on issues of grant and contract administration. - (Essential)
• Faculty Development: Provide oversight to faculty recruitment and appointment processes; mentor and support faculty in their professional development and retention, including teaching, research, and service activities; conduct annual performance evaluations and make recommendations for promotions and tenure. - (Essential)
• Staff Supervision: Recruit, hire, supervise and annually evaluate department administrative office staff. - (Essential)
• Learner Engagement: Foster an invigorating learning environment for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars; address learner concerns and support their academic and professional growth. - (Essential)
• Budget Management: Develop and manage the department's budget, ensuring efficient use of resources; seek external funding opportunities to support departmental initiatives; prepare annual budget requests and recommend to the dean responsible expenditure of other available department funds; approve departmental travel and expense reimbursements. - (Essential)
• Collaboration and Outreach: Build effective and productive partnerships with other departments, institutions, and industry; represent the department in university committees and external organizations. - (Essential)

Anticipated start date: Negotiable, though appointment is expected during the 2026–2027 academic year.

Benefits: Includes single or family health care coverage (premiums paid for by the university), basic life insurance, EAP, retirement plan, and tuition waiver. Optional benefits available: supplemental life, dental, vision, flexible spending account, and supplemental retirement plans.

This position is a 1.0 FTE, twelve (12) month, tenured faculty appointment with administrative responsibilities at the University of North Dakota (UND) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS), Department of Biomedical Sciences.

The awarding of tenure requires the approval of the President of the University as well as the State Board of Higher Education.

Minimum Requirements

• Doctoral degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) in a relevant field of biomedical sciences and/or medicine.
• Current rank of Full Professor with Tenure at an accredited academic institution.
• 10 years of academic experience post-terminal degree.
• 5 years of academic leadership roles such as program director, division chief, vice chair, chair, associate dean or dean.
• Demonstrated success in obtaining, managing, and implementing multiple NIH or equivalently competitive extramural research funding as Principal Investigator.
• Demonstrated record of sustained, high-impact publications in peer-reviewed journals relevant to biomedical sciences.
• Record of experience serving on university committees, professional societies, and contributing to national biomedical research initiatives.
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated history and ability to lead and sustain a research -intensive environment, including budgeting, strategic planning, and personnel management.
• Evidence of fostering collaborative, interdisciplinary research teams and supporting faculty in securing extramural funding.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully mentor junior faculty toward tenure and promotion and management annual reviews and performance evaluations.
• Superior knowledge of compliance and regulatory requirements (i.e. IRB, IACUC, etc.).
• Proven involvement in curriculum development, accreditation processes, mentoring graduate students and post-doctoral trainees.
• Extensive primary author publication record in top tier peer-reviewed journals.
• Successful experience obtaining substantial funding from private foundations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

To Apply

To assure full consideration, applications must be received by 02/23/2026 and include the following materials. Applicants must include:

• Letter of interest outlining qualifications and fit for the position.
• Current curriculum vitae
• Statements describing:
  • Departmental leadership and vision
  • Research achievements and goals
  • Teaching and mentoring philosophy
• Contact information for three professional references (references will only be contacted for finalist candidates)

Position is open until filled.

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