"Faculty Positions in Basic and Translational Cancer Research"

The Cancer Center and Research Institute (CCRI) at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), dedicated to innovative research and patient-centered care, is seeking outstanding scientists for tenure-track or tenured faculty positions in its Cancer Biology and Immunology and Experimental Therapeutics programs. These recruitment efforts are part of a major institutional initiative to expand basic and translational research capabilities in cancer, towards the pursuit of becoming the first and only cancer center in the state with National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation. Recruited faculty will be housed in one of the three basic science departments—Cell and Molecular Biology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, or Physiology and Biophysics—with the option of also having a joint appointment within a suitable clinical department.

About the Programs

• Cancer Biology and Immunology: This program focuses on fundamental mechanisms of tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis, with strong emphasis on gene regulation, genomic instability, multi-omic approaches, tumor immunology, immune evasion mechanisms, hypoxia, tumor metabolism, obesity, angiogenesis, and host-tumor interactions.
• Experimental Therapeutics: This program integrates basic science discoveries with translational efforts to develop and test novel therapies. Areas of interest include drug discovery, targeted therapies, biomarker-assisted precision oncology, nanomedicine and drug delivery, and preclinical and early-phase clinical research.

Position Description

We invite applications from investigators at all academic ranks (Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor) with a strong record of research productivity and a commitment to advancing cancer science. Successful candidates will join a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary research environment with access to state-of-the-art core facilities, clinical partnerships, and robust graduate and postdoctoral training programs.

Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.D., or M.D./Ph.D. (or equivalent degree)
• A strong track record of cancer-related, peer-reviewed publications and extramural funding (for mid/senior-level applicants, particularly funding which counts towards the institutional direct cost baseline required for NCI designation)
• Research interests aligned with the themes of Cancer Biology and Immunology or Experimental Therapeutics
• Commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and mentoring

What We Offer

• Competitive start-up packages
• Access to cancer center resources including intramural funding, specialized equipment, and other member benefits
• Opportunities for collaboration with clinicians and population health researchers
• Supportive, diverse, and inclusive research environment

The University of Mississippi Medical Center

Located in Jackson, MS, UMMC is the state's only academic health science center with the mission to improve the lives of Mississippians by educating tomorrow's health care professionals, by conducting health sciences research, and by providing cutting edge patient care. A major goal of the Medical Center is the elimination of differences in health status of Mississippians based on race, geography, income, or social status. UMMC encompasses seven health science schools: medicine, nursing, dentistry, health-related professions, graduate studies, pharmacy, and population health, with total enrollment exceeding 3,000 students. We offer competitive salaries for academicians in a rewarding environment for career development, situated in a region with a temperate climate and a low cost of living. With more than 10,000 full and part-time employees, UMMC is one of the largest employers in Mississippi. The Medical Center's $2 billion annual budget - approximately one-tenth from state appropriations - represents 10 percent of the Jackson metro area economy and two percent of the state economy. UMMC continues to grow in all its mission areas. Other research-based institutes and centers at the UMMC include: Mississippi Center for Obesity Research; MIND Center (Alzheimer’s and dementia); Cardiovascular-Renal Research Center; Mississippi Center of Excellence in Perinatal Research; Neuroscience Institute; Mississippi Center for Clinical & Translational Research; Center for HIV/AIDS Research, Education and Policy; Center for Immunology and Microbial Research; Center for Innovation and Discovery in Addictions; Mississippi Center for Heart Research; Woman’s Health Research Center; and Molecular Center of Health and Disease. These centers and institutes offer extensive opportunities for scientific collaboration across basic, translational, and clinical research domains. Faculty affiliated with these centers benefit from access to shared core facilities, collaborative grant development, and institutional support for interdisciplinary team science. Many centers provide pilot and seed funding programs, research symposia, and mentorship networks to foster career development and accelerate discovery. Collectively, these resources position UMMC as a hub for impactful biomedical research that addresses both regional health challenges and national scientific priorities.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit the following documents to Lauren McMurtray (lmcmurtray2@umc.edu), CCRI Associate Director of Administration, and Dr. Ajay Singh (asingh1@umc.edu), CCRI Associate Director of Basic and Translational Research:

• Cover letter indicating program of interest
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement of research accomplishments and future goals (2–3 pages)
• Contact information for three (3) references

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until positions are filled.