The University of Alabama School of Medicine at Birmingham (UAB), Department of Pediatrics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is soliciting candidates for the Helen and Robert Whitley Endowed Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases.

The University of Alabama School of Medicine at Birmingham (UAB) is one of the premier research-intensive schools in the nation, ranked No. 22 overall and No. 8 among public institutions in NIH funding by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research for 2019. UAB currently is experiencing major and sustained investment and growth, due to both its exceptional research faculty and its culture of collaboration.

UAB, through concerted and strategic investments in its clinical and research enterprise, has  undergone an amazing transformation in the past 5 years and has strengthened its status and reputation as a leader in medical training, biomedical discovery, innovation, and patient care. As part of an elite group of eight academic medical centers that has attained more than $100 million in net NIH funding growth over the past five years, UAB has the second-highest percentage of growth at 75 percent.

The Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases has a longstanding, internationally renowned record in viral research, primarily the study of herpesvirus infections and antiviral therapeutics, from bench to bedside. Research programs of scientists in the Division include molecular virology and host-virus interactions, viral epidemiology and diagnostics, in vitro and in vivo assessments of novel antiviral agents, investigations of mechanisms of antiviral resistance, and the development and conduct of large international clinical trials of antiviral therapies for rare viral diseases. Collaborating with neuroscientists at UAB, Division scientists also have developed and evaluated genetically engineered herpes simplex virus for the treatment of brain tumors. And in close partnership with Southern Research, the Division guides a robust drug discovery program that most recently is notable for the discovery of remdesivir’s activity against coronavirus, leading to the worldwide evaluation of this new antiviral drug for the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. There are nine physician researchers and three PhDs in the Division, with approximately $14 million annually in NIH and CDC funding. Division researchers lead four national and international networks of clinical collaborators on bench-to-bedside-to-bench research that has resulted in 13 drug indications and label changes.

Additionally, ongoing virology research collaborative opportunities in other departments and schools at UAB, involve molecular virology, virus/host interactions, virus/microbiome interactions, structural virology, and host immunity. Specific clinical and translational projects in the United States and global sites focus on COVID-19, influenza, RSV and other respiratory viruses CMV, HCV, HBV, HPV, and HIV.

The Opportunity

Richard J. Whitley, M.D., the Loeb Eminent Scholar Chair in Pediatrics, has made a generous gift in memory of his parents to establish the Helen and Robert Whitley Endowed Chair in the Department of Pediatrics. The department seeks an expert in translational research in pediatric infectious diseases.

The candidate should have a Ph.D. and/or M.D. in Virology, and a minimum of 10 years of postgraduate experience. Rank and salary will be commensurate with the experience of the candidate. In addition, the candidate should have documented success in obtaining and maintaining extramural support, including from the National Institutes of Health. The research laboratory of this individual will be located in dedicated space amongst other virologists at the institution. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to recruit two additional faculty members who will have independent extramural support. The focus of the laboratory research can be RNA or DNA viruses.

The UAB Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases has nationally recognized expertise and firmly established multidisciplinary programs. This position will provide opportunities for growth of divisional programs, as well as opportunities for collaborations with other distinguished programs within UAB.

Interested applicants should submit a CV and letter of interest at the link below:

http://uab.peopleadmin.com/postings/7227

UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and family-friendly environment in which all faculty and staff can excel and achieve work/life balance irrespective of irrespective of, race, national origin, age, genetic or family medical history, gender, faith, gender identity and expression as well as sexual orientation. UAB also encourages applications from individuals with disabilities and veterans. A pre-employment background investigation is performed on candidates selected for employment. In addition, physicians and other clinical faculty candidates who will be employed by the University of Alabama Health Services Foundation (UAHSF) or other UAB Medicine entities must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen to be hired.