"Translational Biomedical Researcher"

The University of Georgia (UGA) is establishing a new independent School of Medicine in Athens, GA that strives to create a collaborative research nexus, fostering impactful scholarship, scientific discovery, and innovation to advance all aspects of human health and medicine. We are seeking a highly experienced, internationally recognized translational biomedical researcher to join UGA’s inaugural Research Center. The qualified candidate will be experienced in translational biomedical research and highly motivated, collaborative, and creative with the ability to work with basic, translational, and clinical scientists. The successful candidate will have a clear innovative vision for establishing a multidisciplinary research program within the School of Medicine Research Center, leveraging and integrating the research excellence across UGA’s Colleges, Units, Centers and Institutes. A clear strategy for the expansion and sustainability of their research program and the translation of discoveries to the clinic and patient is required. Exceptional candidates at the rank of assistant professor will be considered if immediately promotable.

Applicants are required to submit a cover letter, a vision statement outlining their goals and perspectives relevant to the position, 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.

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.

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 has surged to approximately 11 million residents, straining existing medical infrastructure. 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.

Minimum Qualifications: PhD, MD/PhD, MD, or DO with completion of 5+ years of post-doctoral research experience or relevant expertise. An outstanding record of scholarly work that is documented by a strong publication and funding record. Evidence of leading and/or contributing in team science projects and programs. An established record of extramural funding through federal, philanthropic, and/or industry sources. A demonstrated ability to establish and sustain a translation research program (i.e., a record of clinical application and/or commercialization).

Programmatic Themes: The qualified candidate will have 5+ years of experience with a demonstrated understanding and track record of translational research and/or science in areas such as 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.

The candidate’s research program should align with one or more of the overarching goals of the Research Center, which include advancing novel scientific discoveries into practice through clinical trials, addressing major health and medical needs including healthcare access in underserved communities across the State of Georgia, and contributing unique resources or expertise that can be leveraged by investigators throughout UGA.