Assistant Professor - Department of Neuroscience

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off

Continuous learning and professional development opportunities

Low-cost medical and dental plans

Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts

Disability and employer-paid life insurance

Employee wellbeing program

Excellent retirement plans

Public Service Loan Forgiveness opportunity

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

A prestigious research university in Minneapolis is seeking an Assistant Professor focused on establishing a translational research program related to Parkinson's Disease. This full-time role requires candidates to have a PhD and/or MD degree and emphasizes team science and collaborative efforts. The successful candidate will lead research initiatives and foster connections across institutions and funding agencies, supporting groundbreaking neuroscience research.

Qualifications

• Candidates must have a PhD and/or MD degree.
• U.S. citizenship or eligibility for permanent residency is required.
• Candidates with non-traditional backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Lead research initiatives for preclinical models relevant to Parkinson’s disease.
• Coordinate efforts between team members and institutions.
• Manage data and track progress of modeling projects.

Skills

Research leadership

Grant writing

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

PhD and/or MD degree

Job description

About The Job

The Department of Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota Medical School is seeking candidates interested in establishing a translational research program relevant to Parkinson’s Disease (PD) to fill a position for an Assistant Professor, Academic Track with focus on Research. This is a 12‑month, full‑time appointment.

The department spans a wide range of research questions with a proven dedication to team science and collaborative work. The Department of Neuroscience has a sustained reputation for research excellence, ranking 7th among neuroscience departments nationally based on the 2024 Blue Ridge rankings. We search for outstanding candidates, regardless of research focus, who will promote synergy across disciplines to advance foundational science, discovery, and preclinical research. Basic scientists from diverse backgrounds and disciplines are encouraged to apply.

The new faculty will integrate with the Institute for Translational Neuroscience, which supports research at the interface between bench and bedside. Additional strengths include the MnDRIVE initiative for neuromodulation, the UMN Viral Vector and Cloning Core, the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, the UMN Imaging Center (a Nikon Center of Excellence), the Medical Discovery Team on Addiction and Optical Imaging, the Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, and the Clinical and Translational Science Institute. Minnesota hosts numerous biomedical research companies and world‑renowned hospitals. The University is dedicated to improving diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, and the Department has developed several programs in this area.

Assignment and Duties

Research: The candidate will initially be funded as part of a large, multi‑institutional research team to generate, validate, and distribute preclinical mouse models tailored to accelerate validation and therapeutic R&D for emerging gene/protein targets relevant to Parkinson’s disease. Pathways of interest include alpha‑synuclein dysregulation, neuroinflammation, lysosome/endosome function, synapse function/morphology, ubiquitination, and mitochondrial function/dysfunction. During this funded period the candidate is expected to devote research efforts to achieving the project goals and coordinating team efforts, develop programmatic leadership roles, and pursue extramural funding mechanisms.

Teaching / Integration / Outreach: The candidate is expected to serve as the main point of contact between the University’s preclinical PD mouse modeling projects, team members at other institutions, and the agencies funding this work, liaise with other funded PD teams in a global research network, and attend and participate in an annual meeting of international PD investigators.

Service: The Department expects that during the initial period of funding the candidate will monitor the PD modeling team milestones, manage data, track progress toward distributing the resulting preclinical models, and ensure compliance.

Qualifications

Candidates must have a PhD and/or MD degree and must be a U.S. citizen or able to secure permanent resident status. Candidates with non‑traditional backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants should include a curriculum vitae and a brief (2‑page maximum) statement of their research interests.

Pay And Benefits

Pay Range: $90,000–$130,000, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

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

Benefits

• 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

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e‑mail [e-mail] or call (612) 624‑8647.

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 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 The U Of M

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).