POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Tenure-Track Faculty

Precision One Health Initiative

Associate/Full Professor

Antimicrobial Drug Discovery

COLLEGE OF PHARMACY

COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

 UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

Position Summary:

The Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Department of Chemistry, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Georgia are seeking to grow and diversify its programs through investments in faculty with expertise in how genetics, the environment, and lifestyle inform the most efficacious approaches to prevent and treat diseases of humans and animals. The hiring is part of a campus-wide Presidential Interdisciplinary Faculty Hiring that aims to recruit 50 faculty members who will educate students and advance research in these areas. Rather than being housed exclusively in a single department, however, the majority of UGA’s newly recruited faculty will focus on the fusion of cross-cutting areas such as infectious diseases, integrative precision agriculture, ethics, cybersecurity, resilient communities and the environment.

The focus of this hiring initiative will be in the field of Precision One Health and will be part of a cluster spanning the College of Pharmacy, College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Arts and Sciences, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, College of Public Health, and the College of Engineering. Areas of research might include, but are not limited to: medicinal chemistry, chemistry, chemical biology, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, animal models of antimicrobial resistance, novel drug discovery, origins of antimicrobial resistance, and therapeutics for emerging infectious diseases.

The University of Georgia has world-renowned departmental programs in medicinal chemistry and infectious diseases , which are augmented by research centers focused on drug discovery and emerging global diseases . This faculty position is intended to strengthen ties between units that offer much support for collaboration in areas of graduate training, research and undergraduate education.

The candidate will be jointly appointed in the Departments of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry and Infectious Diseases with the position being physically located and with the majority appointment in the Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences. As a joint appointee, the candidate will have complete access to facilities, students and resources in all Departments. The Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences is home to 23 faculty members focusing in various areas of the pharmaceutical sciences including medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutics and pharmacology. The College is also home to the UGA Center for Drug Discovery, which houses chemical libraries and facilities for high-throughput screening against a variety of therapeutic targets. The Department of Chemistry is home to 43 faculty members focusing on organic, inorganic, physical, analytical and chemical biology. The Department of Infectious Diseases is home to 49 faculty members focusing a variety of viral, bacterial, and parasitic infectious diseases with strengths in immunology, vaccinology, drug discovery and investigation of host-pathogen interactions. The Department also operates Arthropod Containment Level 2/3 and BSL3/ABSL3 facilities, plus a Bio-Imaging Core Facility.

We seek an individual who will build and maintain a strong extramurally funded research program focused on antimicrobial drug discovery. A commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring at the undergraduate and graduate levels within the Colleges of Pharmacy, College of Arts and Sciences and Veterinary Medicine is required. At least three years of documented experience relevant to the position. Candidates should have a strong question-driven research program, which incorporates experimental (i.e., field, lab, molecular) approaches, to address the most challenging problems in one or more of these areas. The position includes a competitive salary, excellent laboratory space, and a generous start-up package.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent terminal degree in medicinal chemistry, chemistry or chemical biology related fields, have at least two years of postdoctoral training, and a strong publication record.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

A strong record of research, scholarship, and instruction that is commensurate with the stage in their professional career and aligned with the areas of research and scholarship associated with this position; a focus on interdisciplinary scholarship that addresses critical societal challenges.

Application Procedure

To apply, please submit applications through UGA Jobs at https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/344406

Along with the on-line application, applicants are asked to submit the following information as a single PDF file:

• A detailed curriculum vitae . A cover letter addressing the candidate’s experience relative to the responsibilities of the position, and a summary of research accomplishments and future goals (2 page max.). A statement of teaching philosophy and experiences regarding instruction and mentoring (2-page max.). The names, titles, and contact information for three professional references.

Questions related to the position may be directed to pbssearch@uga.edu

Initial consideration of applications will begin November 1, 2023 and continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date for the position is August 1, 2024.

About the University of Georgia

The University of Georgia (UGA), 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 (https://www.uga.edu/ ). UGA is currently ranked among the top 16 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA was founded in 1785 by the Georgia General Assembly as the first state-chartered University in the country. UGA employs approximately 1,800 full-time instructional faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 39,000 students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 9,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).