Research Assistant Professor

Posting Summary

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Posting Number	FAC00268PO23
Advertised Title	Research Assistant Professor
Campus	Columbia
College/Division	College of Pharmacy
Department	COP Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences
Advertised Salary Range	Salary commensurate with qualifications
Location of Vacancy
Part/Full Time	Full Time
Hours per Week	40
Position Category	Full-time Equivalent (FTE)
Basis	12 months
Work County	Richland
Tenure Information	Faculty Fellow
Job Search Category	Other Professional

About USC

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Inclusive Excellence Statement

At the University of South Carolina, we strive to cultivate an inclusive environment that is open, welcoming, and supportive of individuals of all backgrounds. We recognize diversity in our workforce is essential to providing academic excellence and critical to our sustainability. The University is committed to eliminating barriers created by institutional discrimination through accountability and continuous process improvement. We celebrate the diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences of our employees.

Benefits for FTE Positions

The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers state employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the benefits section on the Applicant Portal. 

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary	As part of the new Bridge to Faculty Program at the University of South Carolina, the Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences (DDBS) in the College of Pharmacy (COP) seeks a faculty fellow to begin in Fall 2024. This two-year program is intended to lead to a tenure-track position in the Department. In keeping with the University’s commitment to “cultivating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive campus where every individual has the opportunity to flourish and thrive,” the Bridge to Faculty Program is designed to attract and retain promising scholars to the University of South Carolina with an emphasis on outreach to underrepresented early-career scholars. Specifically, the program seeks to recruit early-career scholars who, if successful during the program, will have the opportunity to transition to a tenure-track faculty appointment at USC at the start of the 2026-2027 academic year. As a member of the 2nd cohort of Bridge to Faculty Fellows from across the university, the Fellow will have a home in DDBS alongside a dynamic group of scholars. With the additional support of USC’s Office of Access and Opportunity and Provost’s Office, Faculty Fellows will have access to institutional resources designed to support their readiness for a tenure-track position. The Faculty Fellow will be expected to: (1) develop a research focus in biomedical or pharmaceutical sciences that will lead to an independent research program; (2) meet regularly with faculty mentors; (3) participate in professional development opportunities; and (4) participate in the intellectual life of the DDBS and the University. The Fellow will also have the option to acquire mentored lecturing experience in the second year. We seek candidates who will develop a robust independent research program with interests in drug discovery relevant but not limited to bioinformatics, molecular/ cellular mechanisms and/or in vivo animal models utilized to better understand and treat human disease. We welcome and encourage applications from scholars who contribute to increasing diversity in their fields, as historically underrepresented persons in higher education, and/or by pursing scholarship that deepens understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion as current research strengths in DDBS are in diseases with strong disparities in risks, incidence, and treatment options. This is a 12-month research faculty appointment. Upon demonstration of academic productivity, it will be renewed for a second year, and with evidence of continued productivity, it can be converted to a tenure-track faculty position in the third year. Salary is competitive, and the position includes a generous benefits package with access to medical, vision, dental, and life insurance. DDBS is a research-intensive, collegial department with strengths in cancer and neuroscience, including translational cancer prevention and therapeutics, pharmacogenomics, drug addiction, mood disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease. DDBS faculty from varied disciplines of medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology, and genomics conduct cutting-edge, NIH-funded research in disease mechanisms and drug discovery. Having grown NIH-funding over 70% in the past six years, DDBS hosts collaborative research foci, including the NIH-funded Center for Targeted Therapeutics, with specialized cores in functional genomics, microscopy, flow cytometry, and drug design/synthesis. DDBS provides a highly supportive environment through tailored mentoring of the candidate throughout the postdoctoral and tenure-track faculty career phases. The successful candidate will work with DDBS to develop an independent and competitive research program to successfully launch their research career.
Required Education and Experience	Seeks a faculty fellow with a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences or related biomedical research field completed between July 1, 2019, and the start date of employment on August 16, 2024.
Preferred Qualifications	Seeks a faculty fellow with a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences or related biomedical research field completed between July 1, 2019, and the start date of employment on August 16. 2024.

Posting Detail Information

Desired Start Date	08/16/2024
Job Open Date	11/30/2023
Job Close Date
Open Until Filled	Yes
Special Instructions to Applicant	Applications should include: a cover letter; a CV; a statement of research interests; a statement of teaching philosophy; (If the candidate has not yet defended their dissertation, the letter from the dissertation director should confirm that the PhD will be completed by August 15, 2024). To ensure full consideration, application material must be received by February 21, 2024. If you have any questions about the position or the application process, please contact Dr. Lorne Hofseth, Search Committee Chair, [email protected]. Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This position is open until filled. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
Quicklink for Posting	https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/159541
EEO Statement	The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.