"Translational Biomedical Researcher"

Job Details

Posting Number: F2438P

Working Title: Translational Biomedical Researcher

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: 07/31/2025

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.)

Tenture Status: Tenure Track or Tenured

Minimum Qualifications: PhD, MD/PhD, MD, or DO.

Position Summary: 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.

Additional Requirements: 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).

Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, and/or Certification: 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: The implementation of scientific discovery to clinical trials with a focus on team science initiatives. 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, Behavioral and nature-based interventions for the treatment and prevention of disease.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies: An established record of collaborative research and proven leadership ability. Prior role in multidisciplinary projects and teams with the ability to integrate cross-functional information. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently, both written and oral modalities. Programmatic Themes: 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 practice 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 UGA.