Unlock Thrilling Rheumatology Careers: Faculty Roles and Research Frontiers Await!
Rheumatology faculty jobs offer dynamic careers at the intersection of clinical care, innovative research, and education for those tackling autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and gout. These positions in higher education are ideal for board-certified rheumatologists seeking to advance knowledge on chronic conditions affecting millions. With a projected 25% increase in demand for rheumatologists by 2030 due to aging populations and rising autoimmune diagnoses, faculty jobs in rheumatology are booming at prestigious universities.
Students aspiring to this path should build a solid pre-med undergraduate foundation, excel on the MCAT, complete medical school, a three-year internal medicine residency, and a two-to-three-year rheumatology fellowship—often with research components for academic tracks. Parents and job seekers, explore higher ed jobs that blend impact and stability. Established professors can find tenure-track openings in professor jobs, while adjunct roles suit flexible schedules. Before committing, rate my rheumatology professor experiences from peers.
Trends show academic rheumatologists leading breakthroughs, like studies on long COVID's rheumatologic symptoms mirroring lupus flares—a fringe case highlighted in 2022 NEJM papers. Check higher ed career advice for resume tips via our free resume template.
Student Path to Rheumatology Academia 📚
Aspiring rheumatologists start with biology or chemistry majors, shadowing clinicians early. Key undergrad courses include immunology and anatomy. Post-bac programs help GPA-challenged students. Med school emphasizes internal medicine rotations; residencies at programs like Johns Hopkins build foundations. Fellowships at Mayo Clinic or UCSF prioritize research for faculty-bound trainees.
Fringe quirk: Some enter via osteopathic paths, rarer in academia but growing. Rate program quality by rheumatology professor ratings on Rate My Professor. Link to scholarships for funding.
Rheumatology Faculty Job Opportunities
Current listings include assistant professor roles at University of Michigan focusing on pediatric rheumatology and associate professor positions at UCLA for lupus research. Tenure-track spots emphasize NIH grants; non-tenure clinical tracks suit teachers. Research jobs and clinical research jobs integrate patient care. Remote options emerge post-pandemic.
Prestige peaks at Ivy League like Harvard, where faculty publish in Arthritis & Rheumatology. Anecdote: A UPenn rheumatologist's 2018 discovery of JAK inhibitors advanced RA treatments. Search lecturer jobs for entry points; adjunct professor jobs build credentials.
Top Skills for Success
- Grant writing for NIH funding
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Teaching diverse med students
Rheumatology Professor Salaries & Earnings
Academic rheumatologists earn competitively, with medians around $280,000 per 2023 Doximity reports—higher than private practice in some locales due to prestige. Visit professor salaries for breakdowns; full professors average $350,000+, assistants $220,000-$260,000.
| Role | National Avg (USD) | Example Location |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor | $240,000 | California ($280k+) |
| Associate Professor | $300,000 | New York ($320k) |
| Full Professor | $380,000 | Massachusetts ($410k) |
Boosts from grants; Northeast pays premiums—see New York jobs or California. Compare via university salaries. Faculty, rate colleagues at rate my professor for negotiation insights.
Trends & Future in Academic Rheumatology
Shortage drives openings: only 5,000 US rheumatologists for 54 million arthritis patients. Biologics research booms; gene therapies fringe edge. COVID accelerated tele-rheum. Top programs rank via university rankings. Job seekers, use recruitment services; students check rate my course for electives.
Associations for Rheumatology
American College of Rheumatology
A professional organization dedicated to advancing the specialty of rheumatology through education, research, advocacy, and clinical practice standards in the United States.
European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology
An organization that represents rheumatology professionals and scientific societies across Europe, focusing on improving patient care, research, and education in rheumatic diseases.
British Society for Rheumatology
A UK-based society that supports rheumatology professionals through education, guidelines, and advocacy to enhance patient care and research in rheumatic conditions.
Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology
A regional organization that promotes rheumatology education, research, and collaboration among professionals in the Asia Pacific region to address rheumatic diseases.
Canadian Rheumatology Association
A national association that advances rheumatology in Canada through education, research, and advocacy for better patient outcomes in rheumatic diseases.
Australian Rheumatology Association
A professional body that supports rheumatologists in Australia by promoting research, education, and high standards of clinical practice in rheumatology.
International League of Associations for Rheumatology
A global organization that fosters international collaboration in rheumatology research, education, and patient care to combat rheumatic diseases worldwide.








