"Translational Academic Pathologist"

Job Details

Posting Number: F2437P

Working Title: Translational Academic Pathologist

Department: SOM-Research

About the University of Georgia: The University of Georgia, a land-grant and sea-grant university with statewide commitments and responsibilities, is the state’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education. Its motto, “to teach, to serve, and to inquire into the nature of things,” reflects the University’s integral and unique role in the conservation and enhancement of the state’s and nation’s intellectual, cultural, and environmental heritage.

With its statewide mission and core characteristics, UGA endeavors to prepare the University community and the state for full participation in the global society of the twenty-first century. Through its programs and practices, it seeks to foster the understanding of and respect for cultural differences necessary for an enlightened and educated citizenry. The University is committed to preparing the University community to appreciate the critical importance of a quality environment to an interdependent global society.

As a comprehensive land-grant and sea-grant institution, UGA offers baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees in the arts, humanities, social sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, agricultural and environmental sciences, business, ecology, engineering, environmental design, family and consumer sciences, forest resources, journalism and mass communication, education, law, pharmacy, public health, social work, and veterinary medicine. The university is also home to the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership, and in 2024, UGA broke ground on its own standalone Medical School, a $100M facility that will help address the shortage of medical professionals in the state.

About the College/Unit/Department: The University of Georgia is establishing a new independent School of Medicine in Athens, building on the success of the Augusta University / University of Georgia Medical Partnership, which has been educating physicians in Athens, GA since 2010.

The establishment of a new public medical school at UGA comes as the state faces a significant shortage of medical professionals. The population of Georgia, the nation’s eighth largest state, has surged to approximately 11 million residents, straining existing medical infrastructure and resulting in longer wait times for appointments and reduced access to care. Georgia currently ranks 40th in the nation for the number of active patient care physicians per capita and 41st for the number of public medical students per capita.

As a top 20 public university with a thriving research enterprise and vast public service network, UGA is well positioned to produce more highly trained physicians, alleviate physician shortages, and improve the state’s ability to provide quality health care for its citizens.

The School of Medicine is located on UGA’s Health Sciences Campus in Athens, home to UGA’s College of Public Health and the current AU/UGA Medical Partnership. In its inaugural year, the UGA School of Medicine plans to enroll 60 students per class with a new $100 million medical school building enabling future growth to 120 students per class.

The University of Georgia School of Medicine is seeking accreditation and has been formally recognized with “candidate status” by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), beginning a multi-year accreditation process.

College/Unit/Department website: https://medicine.uga.edu/

Posting Type: External

Retirement Plan: TRS or ORP

Employment Type: Employee

Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible

Advertised Salary: Commensurate with experience

Anticipated Start Date: 06/30/2026

Job Posting Date: 07/30/2025

Open until filled: Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants: Applicants are required to submit a cover letter, a vision statement outlining their goals and perspectives relevant to the position (please use Other Documents #1), a curriculum vitae (CV), and contact information for four (4) professional references. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated on a rolling basis starting August 4th, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Yana Zavros at Yana.Zavros@uga.edu.

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 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as 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 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Classification Title: Open Rank

Faculty Rank: Open Rank (Tenure Track)

Contract Type: Fiscal (12 mo.)

Tenure Status: Tenure Track or Tenured

Minimum Qualifications: MD/PhD or MD.

Position Summary: The University of Georgia is establishing a new independent School of Medicine in Athens that strives to establish a collaborative research nexus, fostering impactful scholarship, discovery, and innovation to accelerate scientific discoveries to impact all aspects of human health and medicine. We are seeking a highly experienced, internationally recognized translational academic pathologist to join the UGA School of Medicine’s inaugural Research Center as distinguished endowed professor. The qualified candidate will be experienced in translational research and highly motivated, collaborative, and creative with the ability to work with basic, translational, and clinical scientists. The candidate should have experience with the development and annotation of biospecimen cores, biomarker discovery/development, generation of tissue-based assays, with excellent traditional diagnostic pathology skills and a strong ability to interpret pathology data in the context of a detailed and current understanding of molecular and cellular biology concepts. The successful candidate will have a clear vision for the design and implementation of revolutionary and state-of-the-art technologies that will distinguish the UGA’s School of Medicine Research Center nationally. The successful candidate will build a dynamic, multidisciplinary research program that leverages the strengths and synergies across UGA’s Colleges, Units, Centers, and Institutes. Equally important is a commitment to fostering meaningful and enduring partnerships with clinical units across Georgia, ensuring a strong and integrated translational research ecosystem.

Additional Requirements: Minimum Qualifications MD/PhD or MD with completion of anatomic pathology and/or clinical pathology residency required. Completion of molecular pathology fellowship is desirable. Additional Requirements Experienced pathologist in a translational setting with 5+ years of post-graduate research experience. Proven strong leadership and evidence of establishing a strong collaborative and multidisciplinary research program(s). Knowledge and track record of oncology/disease biomarker discovery and the translation of scientific discover to clinical trials. An outstanding record of scholarly work as documented by a strong publication and funding record; evidence of participation in team science projects. Participated in clinical studies to better characterize the cellular and molecular underpinnings of therapeutic resistance in patient cohorts and correlation with clinical outcome. Assist in identifying, evaluating, and implementing new technologies or techniques in collaboration with translational and basic scientist and clinical investigators. Strong skill set in developing and implementing multiplexed immunohistochemistry methodologies from antibody selection, staining optimization, pre-analytical variables assessment to downstream digital and imaging strategies with data dissemination and evaluation capabilities. A demonstrated capacity to translate scientific discoveries to patients and the community, a strategic plan for the growth and long-term sustainability of their program.

Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, and/or Certification: The qualified candidate will have 5+ years experience in: Image analysis, especially with oncology and immune-oncology-based markers is desired. The translation of scientific discovery to clinical trials with a focus on team science initiatives is desired. Areas of focus include: Translational oncology (priority areas in gastrointestinal malignancies, breast cancer, lung cancer, and genitourinary malignancies; Women’s health and diseases; Infectious diseases; Disease and immune system regulation and immunology; Neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, aging and cognitive health; Rare, congenital and metabolic diseases; Comparative medicine and oncology; Epidemiology and disease ecology; and Behavioral and nature-based interventions for the treatment and prevention of disease.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies: Prior role in leading multidisciplinary projects and teams with ability to integrate cross-functional information is desired. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate, both written and oral effectively and efficiently. The candidate’s research program should align with one or more of the overarching goals of the Research Center, which include (1) advancing novel scientific discoveries into clinical application through clinical trials, (2) addressing major health and medical needs including healthcare access in underserved communities across the State of Georgia, and (3) contributing unique resources or expertise that can be leveraged by investigators throughout the University of Georgia.

Is this a Position of Trust?: 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

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.