Position Summary
The University of Georgia invites applications for a 9-month, tenure-track faculty position in the interdisciplinary area of Translational Neuropharmacologist in Metabolic Engineering, as part of the 2025–2026 Presidential Strategic Faculty Hiring Initiative ( PHI ). This position represents a collaborative recruitment effort between the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology in the College of Veterinary Medicine and School of Chemical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering ( CMBE ) in the College of Engineering and the Isakson Center for Neurological Disease Research ( ICNDR ).
The successful candidate will be expected to accelerate the development of metabolite-producing cell systems and advance preclinical and clinical testing for neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s), and specifically:
- Establish an outstanding, internationally recognized translational drug discovery research program at intersection of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicants are asked to submit the following information along with their application:
· A cover letter (not to exceed two pages) addressing the candidate’s experience relative to the responsibilities of the position.
· A detailed curriculum vita.
· A teaching statement not to exceed 2 pages.
· A research plan not to exceed three pages.
· The names, titles, and contact information for three professional references.
Questions related to the position may be directed to the Search Committee members Dr. Anumantha Kanthasamy (anumantha.kanthasamy@uga.edu) and Dr. Mark Eiteman (nametie@uga.edu). Applications will be reviewed upon receipt. Full consideration will be given to applications received before 15 February; however, the position will remain open until filled.
The start date is August 1, 2026.
Posting Details
Posting Number
F2625P
Working Title
Assistant Professor in Translational Sciences
Department
VetMed-Physiology & Pharmacol
About the University of Georgia
Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/) . The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.
About the College/Unit/Department
The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, founded in 1946, is dedicated to training future veterinarians, providing services to animal owners and veterinarians, and conducting investigations to improve the health of animals as well as people. The college benefits pets and their owners, food-producing animals, and wildlife by offering the highest quality hospital and diagnostic laboratory services. Equipped with the most technologically advanced facilities located on a university campus, the college is dedicated to safeguarding public health by studying emerging infectious diseases that affect both animal and human health.
The College of Veterinary Medicine values all members of the university community, recognizing that differences in experience and culture can only lead to a more well-rounded, accepting academic environment as embodied in our Principles of Community http://vet.uga.edu/principles-of-community/
About the Isakson Center for Neurological Disease Research ( ICNDR )
ICNDR is an NIH -funded translational neuroscience center within the College of Veterinary Medicine, distinguished by expertise in metabolic engineering, microbiome-based therapeutics, neurodegeneration, neuropharmacology, neurobiology, precision metabolomics and environmental toxicology. ICNDR integrates basic and translational research with undergraduate and graduate teaching in biomedical physiology. The Department of Physiology and Pharmacology has experienced rapid growth, encompassing more than 1100 undergraduate and graduate students and 25 faculty members.
About the School of Chemical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering
The School of Chemical, Materials and Biomedical Engineering is building a vibrant academic environment that fosters engineering education in a liberal arts environment and research that addresses critical societal needs. The School offers undergraduate and graduate engineering degree programs in biochemical engineering and biological engineering and has grown rapidly to over 500 undergraduate and graduate students and 21 faculty members.
Additional information is available at https://engineering.uga.edu/schools/school-of-chemicalmaterials-biomedical-engineering/
College/Unit/Department website
et.uga.edu/education/academic-departments/department-of-physiology-pharmacology/
Posting Type
External
Retirement Plan
TRS or ORP
Employment Type
Employee
Benefits Eligibility
Benefits Eligible
Underutilization
Advertised Salary
Commensurate with Experience
Anticipated Start Date
08/01/2026
Effective End Date (for Limited-Term postings)
Job Posting Date
01/12/2026
Job Closing Date
Open until filled
Yes
Location of Vacancy
Athens Area
EEO Statement
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( hrweb@uga.edu ).
USG Core Values Statement
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02 .
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom .
Position Details
Position Information
Classification Title
Assistant Professor
FLSA
Faculty Rank
Assistant Professor
Contract Type
Academic (9 mo.)
Tenure Status
Tenure Track
Minimum Qualifications
- A Ph.D. in biomedical sciences including pharmacology, physiology, neuroscience, pathology, synthetic biology and other related fields.
Candidates must also have a documented research background appropriate for the appointment rank, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, extramural funding, and mentorship of undergraduate and doctoral students. For information about the requirements for each faculty rank, please see the UGA Guidelines for Appointment, Promotion and Tenure.
Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, and/or Certification
- Translational research evidence related to neurodegenerative diseases
- Evidence of research productivity in translational research
We seek candidates whose work bridges neuropharmacology, metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, gut-brain physiology, and translational neuroscience to advance therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and related disorders. Areas of interest include (but are not limited to):
- Translational neuropharmacology and biotherapeutic discovery including the use of computational and experimental approaches to identify and engineer genetic elements encoding, for example, metabolic pathways and enzymes leading to development of new cell- and microbial-biotherapeutic agents for preclinical evaluation in cell-based and animal models of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases among other related neurological disorders.
- Neurobiological mechanisms of gut microbiome-brain axis in pathogenesis neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions, and identification of novel biotherapeutic targets for neuroprotection, neurorestoration, and neuromodulation.
- Precision medicine approaches integrating metabolomic, genomic and phenomics datasets to understand and predict pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and toxicity of cell-based biotherapeutics
- Designing, manufacturing and scaling bioengineered biotherapeutics to optimize stability, delivery, efficacy and safety across various model systems, as required for IND enabling studies.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching excellence at both undergraduate and graduate levels, with particular focus on biomedical physiology and translational pharmacology.
- Demonstrated excellence—or strong potential—in areas relevant to biotherapeutic preclinical evaluation of bioengineered neural therapeutics.
- Knowledge in advancing biotherapeutics from preclinical to clinical commercialization.
- A record of interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Commitment to teaching excellence and student mentoring.
- Display a strong integration of engineering methods with biological or biomedical applications.
- Competitive applicants will have a strong record of innovative
research bridging neuropharmacology, neuroscience and metabolic
engineering with relevance to translational applications.
Sit and stand for long periods. Physical demands are associated with laboratory work and may include:
- Occasionally required to remain seated in a normal position for long periods
- Regularly required to walk about
- Regularly required to maintain balance while walking, standing, crouching, or running
- Routinely required to reach up and out with hands and arms Regularly required to talk and hear; verbally express information or instructions
- Regularly required to use hands to grasp objects, type, pick up objects, move objects, or hold objects
- Routinely required to stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl Regularly required to climb stairs and/or ladders
- Occasionally required to lift up to 50 pounds and carry a distance of 10 feet
- Occasionally required to push and/or pull up to 50 pounds at a distance of 10 feet
- Routinely required to stand for long periods Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less)
- Depth perception and the ability to judge distances and spatial relationships
- Adjustable focus
Yes
Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?
No
Does this position require a P-Card?
No
Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?
No
Is driving a responsibility of this position?
No
Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?
No
Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications)
Yes
Credit and P-Card policy
Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website .
Background Investigation Policy
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website .
Duties/Responsibilities
Duties/Responsibilities
- Candidates will be expected to establish a dynamic and externally funded research program as well as contribute significantly to the Department’s teaching mission, specifically in the Biomedical Physiology undergraduate major. Candidates will mentor graduate and undergraduate students as well as postdoctoral research associates. Duties will also include teaching in undergraduate, graduate or professional DVM courses.
100
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Resume/CV
- Cover Letter
- List of References with Contact Information
- Teaching Portfolio/Philosophy
- Research Portfolio/Philosophy
- Portfolio
- Media Portfolio
- Writing Sample
- Sample Publications
- Unofficial Transcripts
- Other Documents #1
- Other Documents #2
- Certification
- Unofficial Letters of Recommendation
- Public Svc/Extension Philosophy