Basic Scientist, Sickle Cell Disease Program

Emory University is a leading research university that fosters excellence and attracts world-class talent to innovate today and prepare leaders for the future. We welcome candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of our academic community.

The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Children’s), Emory University School of Medicine (Emory) and Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) are partnering with the Georgia Research Alliance in a $16M expansion of Georgia’s Sickle Cell Disease Program. This expansion is supported by investments from the Georgia Research Alliance, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University, and Morehouse School of Medicine. This initiative will focus on the development, testing, and implementation of new therapies in sickle cell disease and includes the addition of four faculty positions at the Emory and Morehouse Schools of Medicine. The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Emory University Department of Pediatrics, and Morehouse School of Medicine invite qualified applicants to apply for the keystone position of this initiative as the Calvin Smyre/Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar.

 

We seek a national/international leader in basic science research applicable to curative therapies for sickle cell disease and other hematological disorders. Areas of opportunity include, but are not limited to:

• Hematopoietic stem cell biology: Stem cell renewal and expansion, stem cell fitness, clonal hematopoiesis, induced pluripotent stem cells, epigenetic and transcriptional regulation of gene expression
• Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: reduced toxicity conditioning, transplant immunology and immune modulation, mechanisms controlling engraftment and rejection
• Therapeutic gene manipulation: gene addition, gene editing, fetal hemoglobin induction, novel vector design and delivery
• Drug discovery and development: fetal hemoglobin induction, anti-sickling compounds, biologicals

This position offers a wealth of opportunities for research collaborations within Emory and Morehouse Schools of Medicine clinical and basic science departments, Grady Hospital, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health, Georgia Institute of Technology, Augusta University/Medical College of Georgia, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The successful candidate will have joint appointments in the Departments of Pediatrics at Emory and Morehouse Schools of Medicine.

 

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct state-of-the-art research applicable to curative therapies for sickle cell disease and other hematological disorders.
• Partner with the Aflac Sickle Cell Disease Program Director and translational and clinical research leaders to integrate the research and clinical components of the Sickle Cell Disease Program of the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center.
• Provide academic leadership and professional mentorship for faculty, fellows, postdoctoral fellows, residents, and students focused on hematopoiesis, stem cell biology and sickle cell disease pathophysiology.
• Lead the Atlanta Sickle Cell Disease Consortium of basic science researchers and expand and strengthen collaborations with investigators from other divisions and departments at Emory, Georgia Tech, Georgia State and Morehouse School of Medicine, with the goal of building a nationally pre-eminent sickle cell disease program. Collaborate with investigators at other Georgia- based research universities and schools of medicine as appropriate, especially with member institutions of the Georgia Research Alliance (www.gra.org ).
• Participate in the Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences at Emory and Graduate Education in Biomedical Sciences at Morehouse School of Medicine to foster graduate student education and training.
• Strengthen academic ties and develop extramurally funded joint projects between Emory and Morehouse Schools of Medicine.
• Participate in the leadership of the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center by serving on the Aflac Executive Committee.
• Represent Children’s, Emory, and Morehouse School of Medicine at the national/international level.

Qualifications

Successful candidates will have:

• MD, DO, or PhD degree
• Qualifications for appointment as faculty at Emory University and Morehouse School of Medicine
• National and/or international leadership and recognition in the scientific field related to sickle cell and other hematological disorders
• A strong record of academic excellence/achievement and funding as an independent investigator
• A record of mentorship of faculty to support growth in research and scholarship
• Experience in service or leadership in an academic or scientific program.

Salary at Emory University School of Medicine and Morehouse School of Medicine will be commensurate with experience and accomplishment. This position will engage in mentorship of junior faculty and will have dedicated time for administrative duties. This position may engage in clinical service.

 

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University have worked together since 1956, facilitating leading-edge pediatric research, training, and innovation. Hematologists on the faculty of Morehouse School of Medicine have provided clinical care and research in the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center for more than 20 years. Together, our partnerships advance research and facilitate evidence-based quality care for children. In 2022 the Emory Department of Pediatrics was the #1 ranked pediatric department in National Institutes of Health research funding. The program has maintained a top five ranking since 2016. This position will have appointments at Emory, Children’s and Morehouse School of Medicine, and will help strengthen the collaborative relationship between Emory, Children’s and Morehouse School of Medicine.

Emory University is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, genetic information, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and veteran's status. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment on the basis of any factor stated above or prohibited under applicable law. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in University programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Executive Order 11246, as amended, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action. Emory University is committed to achieving a diverse workforce through application of its affirmative action, equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policy in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Inclusion, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Building, Atlanta, GA 30322.
Emory University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Department of Accessibility Services at 404-727-9877 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD). Please note that one week advance notice is preferred.

Not ready to apply? Connect with us for general consideration!