Immunology Program Leader
Versiti Blood Research Institute
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
The Versiti Blood Research Institute (VBRI) is an academic center for innovative hematology research in WI. VBRI research spans the spectrum from basic, mechanistic inquiry to clinicaltranslational and population-based research and currently houses 26 faculty with five focus areas – Hematopoiesis, Glycobiology, Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Transfusion Medicine, and Immunology. To increase the critical mass of hematology investigators assembled under the same roof, VBRI will be adding 18 new PIs over a 7-year period. Designs for a new research building are nearing completion, with groundbreaking slated for the summer of 2024, and completion anticipated in the middle of 2026. This state-of-the-art building will add 80,000 ft2 new space, almost doubling our research capacity.
We are seeking to recruit a program leader to expand our Immunology Program from five to up to ten faculty over the next five years. The ideal candidate will have an immunology-focused research program with a track record of outstanding scientific achievement, continuous extramural support, and success at mentorship consistent with a Full Professor. Accomplished scientists whose research includes cancer immunology, autoimmunity, and T-cell biology are encouraged to apply.
The successful candidate will be charged to develop a compelling vision for the Immunology Program and enhance its visibility and impact. They will recruit outstanding faculty and mentor them to academic success, as demonstrated by high-impact publications and NIH-type grants.
The Immunology Program leader will report to the VBRI Director, Dr. Michael Deininger, and have a seat on the VBRI Executive Council (VEC), which shapes the strategy for the entire institute.
Resources available for the new leader include an endowed chair, the ability to recruit several new faculty, and a generous start-up package for their own research program. The VBRI is located on the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center (MRMC), which encompasses the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), Children’s Wisconsin, Froedtert Hospital, and the VBRI. Appropriately qualified candidates will be presented with additional leadership opportunities in the MRMC.
This position provides attractive extensive opportunities for collaboration with basic, translational, and clinical investigators. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. The VBRI’s location on the MRMC facilitates collaboration, provides additional research breadth, and enables access to graduate students. To facilitate translational research, VBRI faculty typically hold a second appointment at an MCW department, including clinical departments. MCW is home to a rich immunology community that includes the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Immunology, Center for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Research (CIBMTR), and the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) of Southeastern Wisconsin.
The MCW Cancer Center will soon relocate into a new facility, with investment in innovative technologies, including metabolomics, glycobiology, and cryo-electron microscopy, amongst others. The academic landscape is enriched by several Milwaukee-area universities, including the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Marquette University, and the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
The VBRI provides a unique environment for research given its focus on hematology and its long record of scientific excellence and innovation since its founding over seventy years ago. Starting with the recruitment of Dr. Michael Deininger in 2021, an international leader in malignant hematology, the VBRI is strategically strengthening its programs in immunology and stem cell biology to advance our goal of becoming an international destination for hematology research. We are committed to impactful, rigorous science that can change lives.
Who are we looking for?
Eligible candidates have an M.D. and/or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree and a CV consistent with a Full Professor. The successful candidate will have a scientific record of creativity and productivity, a desire to integrate into our exciting, collaborative, and growing community of researchers, and a dedication to contributing to our values of diversity and openness. They will be expected to bring a productive and innovative research program and participate actively in education, training, and mentorship while leading and growing the Immunology Program. Proven academic leadership skills and the ability to navigate a complex campus are a plus. The VBRI works to attract, design, and retain a diverse workforce and faculty body that reflects the communities we serve. We believe that societal change requires actions, not words, and are committed to diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and thought to advance excellence in science and medicine.
How do you apply?
Qualified applicants should submit a single pdf containing a cover letter, CV, summary of research accomplishments, future research plans (4 pages maximum), leadership statement (1 page limit), and statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion (1 page limit). Please address the letter to Drs. Xue-Zhong Yu and Qizhen Shi, who lead the search committee. All documents should be sent to programleaderimmunology@versiti.org by May 15, 2024. Versiti is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty and strongly encourages applications from individuals in groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. Versiti is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment based on age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation.
Milwaukee
versiti.org/careers/living-in-milwaukee. Located on the west side of beautiful Lake Michigan in Wisconsin, Milwaukee is a well-kept secret of affordable quality of life. The city boasts various museums, some of the nation’s largest summer festivals, a multi-cultural population rich in culinary and artistic tradition, a progressive
downtown area, and many outdoor recreation opportunities, including many parks, river walks, and public beaches. Housing is affordable, public, and parochial schools are excellent, and traffic is a breeze. Milwaukee neighborhoods are known for variety, character, and unique architecture, offering superb quality of life and exceptional work-life balance in a city rife with history. With Chicago only 75 minutes away, world-class cultural and sporting venues and one of the world’s busiest air travel hubs are within easy reach.
Posting ID: 467