Assistant, Associate or Full Professor - Visual Neuroscience

University of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Tuition benefits

Health insurance

Retirement plans

PSLF eligibility

Job summary

The Department of Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota Medical School seeks tenure-track (Assistant Professor) or tenured (Associate or Full Professor) faculty in visual neuroscience to join OVNS collaborations, spanning retina to higher visual areas in health and disease.

The role emphasizes building bridges between basic neuroscience and clinical OVNS programs, with program leadership, extramural funding, and a commitment to team science within a supportive university environment in

Qualifications

• PhD and/or MD degree required.
• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency required.
• Proven ability to lead a research program and secure funding.
• Strong collaborative and cross-disciplinary skills.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence.

Responsibilities

• Establish an outstanding visual neuroscience program and publish high-impact work.
• Develop extramural funding strategies across translational and basic research.
• Engage in seminars, service on committees, and national/international activities.
• Foster collaboration between OVNS and Neuroscience researchers.

Skills

Collaborative research leadership

Grant writing

Team science

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Mentoring

Education

PhD or MD degree

Job description

About the Job

The Department of Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota Medical School is seeking candidates for a tenure-track (Assistant Professor) or tenured (Associate or Full Professor) faculty appointment in visual neuroscience.

The new faculty will integrate with the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences (OVNS), a leader in both clinical care and basic vision research. Ideal candidates will build collaborations between clinical and translational faculty in OVNS with researchers in the Department of Neuroscience. Candidates with MD/PhDs and clinical programs are especially encouraged to apply. Applications are also invited from PhDs or non-practicing MDs who have a commitment to building collaborations across clinical and basic research. Researchers investigating all aspects of the visual system, from the retina to higher visual areas, in both health and disease are encouraged to apply.

New faculty would be appointed within the Department of Neuroscience, a basic science department in the Medical School, with a proven dedication to team science and collaborative work. The Department has a sustained reputation for research excellence and new faculty would build on existing expertise in functional imaging across species, computational modeling, and optical imaging, and join a strong group of visual neuroscientists in the Department, with expertise across the visual system and spanning a range of experimental models.

Strengths at the University of Minnesota include a number of integrative institutes. The Institute for Translational Neuroscience supports research at the interface between the bench and the bedside. The Center for Magnetic Resonance Research is at the forefront of high magnetic field strength imaging in both humans and animals. The Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain is a world leader in investigating the development and functioning of the brain from infancy through adulthood. The MnDRIVE initiative supports research and translation relevant to neuromodulation for brain conditions. The Department is also a key part of the Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, the Medical Discovery Team on Optical Imaging, and the NeuroPlasticity Research in Support of Mental Health workgroup - three world-class neuroscience-based programs that have established and support many interdisciplinary and collaborative laboratories at the institution.

Resources at the University include the UMN Viral Vector and Cloning Core, which allows onsite vector production and development; the University Imaging Center, which is a Nikon Center of Excellence; the Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, which has the resources and expertise to develop new drug therapies; the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, which provides resources to implement new treatment strategies and is a conduit to promote community-wide understanding and application of scientific discoveries. Minnesota is also the home of multiple biomedical research companies and world-renowned hospitals. The University of Minnesota is dedicated to improving diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. The Department of Neuroscience has developed several programs in this area.

Assignment and Duties

The candidate's responsibilities include Research, and Service, with additional responsibilities dependent on the candidate's clinical background.

Research: The Department expects that the candidate will establish an outstanding research program and generate the highest quality publications. The candidate should develop programs clearly identified with them, in which they can assume a programmatic leadership role. Furthermore, the candidate should develop extramural funding mechanisms that allow them to pursue their areas of interest throughout their career. Candidates are expected to devote the majority of their effort (~75%) towards their research program.

Service: The Department expects that its faculty members regularly participate in seminars and colloquia, faculty meetings, and serve on department committees. Occasionally, faculty members are expected to serve on Medical School or University committees. The Department also expects that the candidate will provide service at a national/international level (e.g. editorial duties, grant review, or organizing conferences and workshops). Candidates are expected to devote ~10% of their effort to service.

Clinical / Integration: Furthermore, the candidate is expected to provide a bridge between basic and clinical departments (~15% of the candidate's effort). This can entail cross-discipline collaborations between OVNS and Neuroscience researchers, including the development of multi-lab research grants. For candidates with a clinical practice, this can entail effort spent in the clinic, in coordination with the Head of OVNS and other OVNS clinical faculty.

Qualifications

Candidates must have a PhD and/or MD degree and must be a US citizen or be able to secure permanent resident status. Candidates with non-traditional backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $110,000 - $165,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 75%-100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).