Associate Professor of Pharmacology

Position Summary

The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences invites applications for a full-time, 12-month tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Associate Professor of Pharmacology. We are seeking a visionary, collaborative investigator to expand our research faculty and contribute to our educational mission. The successful candidate will maintain an internationally recognized, competitively funded research program that complements existing strengths within the department and collaborate across the university. We are particularly interested in outstanding applicants with active, well-funded pharmacology programs and interest in Neuroscience, Cancer, Infectious Disease, Immunology and Genetics, with an interest in translational research and experimental therapeutics involving animals or other in vivo models. An appropriate startup package and other laboratory support will be provided.

The faculty effort distribution is approximately:

• Research / Scholarship: 70%
• Teaching: 25%
• Service: 5%

Priority areas:

• Neuroscience: Including neurodegenerative diseases, neuropharmacology, neuroprotection, or targeted therapeutic delivery to the central nervous system (CNS).
• Oncology (Cancer): Focused on biological target identification, drug mechanisms of action, mechanisms of therapeutic resistance, or innovative modalities such as targeted protein degradation.
• Infectious Disease: Investigating novel antimicrobial, antiviral, or antiparasitic strategies, host-pathogen interactions, or therapeutic approaches to combat resistance.
• Immunology: Cardio-metabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases.
• Genetics & Functional Genomics: Utilizing genetic screening, gene regulation pathways, or precision medicine approaches to identify and validate novel pharmacological targets.

Our generous benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision plans; paid parental leave; short term and long term disability plans; life insurance; flexible spending accounts; and a 403(b) retirement plan which includes a 8% employer contribution once eligible. RFUMS is committed to employee wellbeing and work-life balance. This position is eligible for 24 days of vacation/personal leave, 15 sick days, and 9 paid holidays, paid winter break, plus two floating holidays.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Research Excellence: The successful candidate will be expected to sustain and expand a robust, high impact, externally funded research program utilizing rigorous in vivo disease models to advance experimental therapeutics.
• Educational Leadership: Deliver high-quality instruction in pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences within our professional (PharmD) and graduate (Ph.D./M.S.) programs in the College of Pharmacy and School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
• Mentorship: Supervise and mentor graduate (Ph.D./M.S.) and professional (PharmD) students, postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduate researchers, fostering an inclusive, supportive, and safety-conscious laboratory environment.
• Service: Actively participate in departmental, institutional, and professional service committees.

All full-time faculty members employed by RFUMS are expected to engage in activities that are considered core to their primary role as a faculty member. These activities may include teaching, scholarly activity, and service.

Teaching responsibilities vary and may include direct instruction, curriculum management, assessment, and advising and mentoring for students. Scholarly activities vary and may include original scholarship, grant procurement, and research mentoring. Service activities vary and may include internal and external contributions through committees, contributions to the profession, recruitment, and direct patient care. Scholarly activities and/or clinical activities are negotiated and determined at the department level and are primarily based upon the faculty track.

Required Education & Experience

• A PharmD, MD, or PhD (or equivalent terminal degree) in Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Physiology, Cell Biology, Immunology, or a closely related biological discipline.
• A documented record of sustained external research funding as a Principal Investigator (PI).
• Extensive, demonstrated expertise in translational research utilizing animal models or relevant in vivo systems.
• An established reputation for research excellence, evidenced by a strong publication record in top-tier, peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaborative and interdisciplinary skills.

Preferred Qualifications

We highly value candidates whose research integrates cutting-edge molecular tools with rigorous preclinical therapeutic evaluation in one or more of the following domains:

• Advanced In Vivo Modeling: Extensive hands-on expertise establishing and utilizing complex animal models (e.g., transgenic, conditional knockout, patient-derived xenograft (PDX), orthotopic, or humanized mouse models) to evaluate therapeutic efficacy, toxicity, and mechanism of action.
• Translational Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics (PK/PD): Demonstrated capability in correlating systemic or tissue-specific drug exposure with therapeutic biomarkers, including tracking physiological barrier penetration (e.g., Blood-Brain Barrier tracking for neuroscience applications).
• Functional Genomics & Target Validation: Proficiency in translating genetic or multi-omic data (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics) into actionable pharmacological targets using in vivo functional genomic screens or precision medicine frameworks.
• Innovative Therapeutic Modalities: Applied research in advanced chemical biology or genetic platforms to modulate disease pathways, such as targeted protein degradation (molecular glues/PROTACs), cell-penetrating biologics, or nucleic acid-based therapeutics (siRNA, mRNA, CRISPR).
• Excellence in Teaching: Demonstrated experience and excellence in teaching and mentoring at the professional or graduate level.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a single PDF containing:

• A cover letter summarizing qualifications and translational research interests addressing Mohd Shahid, PhD, the chair of the search committee.
• A current Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• A detailed statement of research accomplishments, active funding, and future goals, explicitly highlighting in vivo therapeutic approaches (3–5 pages).
• A statement of teaching philosophy and commitment to mentorship (1–2 pages).
• Contact information for three professional references.

Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, please submit all materials by October 15, 2026.

Employment Inquiries: Inquiries can be directed to Dr. Mohd Shahid, Chair of the Faculty Search Committee, at mohd.shahid@rosalindfranklin.edu.

Who We Are

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFU) is a graduate health sciences university committed to serving the population through the interprofessional education of health and biomedical professionals and the discovery of knowledge dedicated to improving wellness. The university embodies the spirit of inquiry and excellence modeled by its namesake Dr. Rosalind Franklin, whose Photo 51 was crucial to solving the structure of DNA.

Today, the university's 6 colleges continue Dr. Franklin's legacy through rigorous academics, pioneering research, and innovative community service. Our unique interprofessional education model allows students to learn from and with each other in a variety of settings, including our simulation labs, the student-led Interprofessional Community Clinic, and through partnerships with area hospitals and clinics. RFU is a national leader in interprofessional research and practices, and is nationally recognized for its research in areas including neuroscience, brain-related diseases, inherited disorders, proteomics, cancer cell biology and immunology, and gait and balance.

Conditions of Employment

Must achieve satisfactory results from a background check.

Typical Physical Demands & Working Conditions

Selected candidate must have the mental and physical capabilities to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

EOE, Including Disability / Vets