Job description

The Department of Biochemistry at Vanderbilt University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor. Candidates are expected to establish a vigorous, externally funded research program and contribute to the education and mentorship of graduate students and postdoctoral trainees. The successful candidate should use innovative approaches to address biomedical problems at the molecular level. Current areas of departmental strength include RNA and DNA biology, signal transduction, protein folding and misfolding, structural biology, and chemical biology. We are especially interested in investigators whose work integrates cutting-edge concepts from synthetic biology, genomics, single molecule biochemistry, novel therapeutic modalities, and computational biology.

The successful candidate will join a vibrant, growing, and collegial research community in the School of Medicine-Basic Sciences at Vanderbilt University. This is an ideal environment for discovery science and provides access to world-class core facilities. Trainees in the appointee’s lab will also be eligible for salary support through more than 25 externally funded graduate and postdoctoral training programs. Incoming faculty can expect a highly supportive peer group and extensive mentoring. Vanderbilt is home to a welcoming and collaborative community of investigators committed to excellence in research, training, and service.

Qualifications:

Applicants should have a terminal degree (Ph. D., M.D., or equivalent), evidence of outstanding research discovery, and a compelling vision for their future research program. Evidence of success in obtaining research support is useful but not required. Experience in mentoring, teaching, and service is also valued.

How to apply

Please submit the following:

1. Curriculum vitae, including full list of publications
2. Research plan (2-3 pages, 11 pt font)
3. Mentoring philosophy (1 page)
4. PDFs of three peer-reviewed publications

In addition, please arrange for three confidential letters of recommendation to be submitted directly by the referees via Interfolio. Other optional documents, such as a cover letter, may be uploaded but are not required. Evaluation of applications will begin on November 1, 2026. We expect to determine in-person interviews by early December.

HOLD THE DATES: we intend to conduct IN-PERSON faculty candidate visits on 2027 January tbd (either January 10-13 or 25-29), in a symposium style where multiple candidates will present a seminar and conduct a more in-depth chalk talk to select faculty.

HOLD THE DATES: we intend to conduct VIRTUAL faculty candidate interviews via Zoom on 2026 December 1-4 tbd (20 min casual “elevator pitch” style conversation with the search committee members).