Assistant or Associate Professor of Microbiology (XOCOM)

Xavier University of Louisiana; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine (XOCOM) seeks a research-intensive faculty member with expertise in microbiology and infectious diseases to join its founding biomedical sciences faculty in New Orleans. This tenure or tenure-track appointment focuses on building and sustaining an externally funded translational research program, with 60% research, 30% teaching, and 10% service.

The successful candidate will lead microbiology education within the undergraduate medical curriculum and contribute

Qualifications

• Experience leading translational infectious disease research programs.
• Strong record of externally funded research is preferred.
• Commitment to microbiology education within the undergraduate medical curriculum.

Responsibilities

• Lead an infectious disease translational research laboratory.
• Develop an externally funded research program.
• Supervise research staff and trainees.
• Publish findings in peer‑reviewed journals and present at meetings.
• Ensure biosafety standards and CAP/CLIA compliance.

Skills

Microbiology

Infectious diseases

Job description

Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine (XOCOM) seeks a research-intensive faculty member with expertise in microbiology and infectious diseases to join its founding biomedical sciences faculty. This position is a tenure or tenure-track appointment, contingent upon the availability of extramural research funding, and carries a distribution of effort of approximately 60% research, 30% teaching, and 10% service. The successful candidate will lead an established infectious disease translational research laboratory, develop and sustain a productive, externally funded research program, and contribute to microbiology education within the undergraduate medical curriculum. The position offers a unique opportunity to conduct clinically relevant, translational microbiology research within a mission-driven academic medical environment.

About XOCOM

Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine represents a historic partnership between Xavier University of Louisiana, a national leader in educating underrepresented students in the sciences and medicine, and Ochsner Health, Louisiana's largest academic health system. XOCOM is committed to excellence in research, education, and service and to advancing health equity through scholarship, innovation, and inclusive medical education.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Research (≈60%)

• Provide scientific leadership and oversight of an established infectious disease translational research laboratory, including strategic planning, personnel supervision, and program development
• Maintain an existing bank of 37,000 clinical bacterial and yeast isolates collected from 1999 to present, including 21,000 sourced from positive blood cultures, including some multi-drug resistant strains
• Develop, maintain, and expand an independent, externally funded research program in microbiology or infectious diseases
• Write and submit competitive extramural grant applications (e.g., NIH, NSF, CDC, foundations) sufficient to support a significant portion of the PI's salary and research program expenses
• Conduct original, high-quality translational research and disseminate findings through peer-reviewed publications and national/international scientific meetings
• Oversee research involving clinical bacterial and fungal isolates and related translational microbiology methodologies
• Ensure compliance with all applicable research regulations, biosafety standards, and institutional policies including maintenance of College of American Pathologists (CAP) accreditation and CLIA certification
• Supervise and mentor laboratory personnel, including research staff and trainees

Teaching (≈30%)

• Serve as contributing faculty in microbiology and related biomedical sciences teaching sessions within the medical curriculum
• Deliver lectures, small-group facilitation, and other instructional activities aligned with institutional teaching needs
• Participate in assessment development and evaluation related to microbiology content
• Mentor medical students and trainees with interests in microbiology, infectious diseases, or research careers

Service (≈10%)

• Participate in departmental, college, or university service activities as appropriate to rank
• Contribute to committees, working groups, or governance bodies in support of XOCOM's academic mission
• Engage in professional service consistent with a research-intensive tenure or tenure-track appointment