Spine Neurosurgeon -Open Rank

University of Washington Health System; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Washington School of Medicine seeks a Spine Neurosurgeon for an open-rank, full-time faculty position split between UW and VA. The role includes clinical care, teaching, and scholarly activity with potential for multi-year appointments.

Rank may be Assistant or Associate Professor, with salary structures described for each rank, and a generous incentive plan. Start date is July 1, 2026, with 12-month service period.

Qualifications

• MD degree and licensure eligibility in Washington state.
• Board certification or eligibility in Neurological Surgery.
• Eligibility for VA credentialing and appointment requirements.
• USMLE steps completed for visa sponsorship if applicable.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive spine neurosurgical care across UW and VA sites.
• Expand and advance the spine program with department faculty.
• Contribute to education of medical students, residents, and fellows.
• Engage in scholarly activity, outcomes research, and education.

Skills

Clinical spine surgery

Academic appointment

Education

MD degree

Washington State medical license eligibility

Board certification or eligibility in Neurological Surgery

VA credentialing eligibility

USMLE steps completion for H-1B sponsorship

Job description

Position Overview

School / Campus / College: School of Medicine

Organization: Neurological Surgery

Title: Spine Neurosurgeon --Open Rank

Position Description

The Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Washington School of Medicine invites applications for a faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor (without tenure due to reasons of funding) or Associate Professor (without tenure due to reasons of funding), with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026. We seek applicants who demonstrate commitment to excellence in patient care, scholarship, teaching, and service in a diverse and inclusive academic community.

The successful candidate will join our faculty on a full-time basis for a twelve-month appointment. This position includes clinical responsibilities split between the University of Washington academic medical centers and the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system, with an anticipated 50% University of Washington and 50% Veterans Affairs distribution of clinical effort.

Assistant Professors are eligible for multi-year appointments that align with a 12-month service period (July 1–June 30). Faculty with 12-month service periods are paid for 11 months of service over a 12-month period (July–June), meaning the equivalent of one month is available for paid time off.

The base salary range for the Assistant Professor title will be $25,000–$56,250 per month ($300,000–$675,000 annually), commensurate with experience, discipline, qualifications, and academic rank, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination. This range includes compensation provided through the University and the UW Physicians (UWP) practice plan.

Additional compensation associated with this position includes guaranteed monthly additional compensation through the UW Physicians practice plan of $10,000–$17,000 per month ($120,000–$204,000 annually). Total fixed compensation (base salary plus Monthly Additional Compensation) for this position will not exceed $675,000 annually for the rank of Assistant Professor.

Associate Professors hold indefinite appointments that align with a 12-month service period (July 1–June 30). Faculty with 12-month service periods are paid for 11 months of service over a 12-month period (July–June), meaning the equivalent of one month is available for paid time off.

The base salary range for the Associate Professor title will be $30,000–$66,667 per month ($360,000–$800,004 annually), commensurate with experience, discipline, qualifications, and academic rank, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination. This range includes compensation provided through the University and the UW Physicians (UWP) practice plan.

Additional compensation associated with this position includes guaranteed monthly additional compensation through the UW Physicians practice plan of $17,000–$22,000 per month ($204,000–$264,000 annually). Total fixed compensation (base salary plus Monthly Additional Compensation) for this position will not exceed $800,004 annually for the rank of Associate Professor.

Other compensation associated with this position may include incentive compensation through the UW Physicians practice plan. Additional compensation may also include a relocation incentive/moving allowance, administrative supplement, productivity incentive, and/or Veterans Affairs-specific compensation, as applicable and in accordance with institutional and federal policies.

Please note that only compensation provided by the University is included in University benefit determinations and calculations. Compensation provided through the UW Physicians practice plan may provide eligibility for separate benefits offered by that organization. For practitioners holding an appointment in the UW Physicians practice plan, additional information regarding benefits may be found at : UWHR benefits information.

The successful candidate will be expected to provide comprehensive spine neurosurgical care across University of Washington and Veterans Affairs clinical sites, partner with departmental faculty to expand and advance the comprehensive spine program, and contribute to the education of medical students, residents, and fellows.

Scholarly expectations will be commensurate with the selected academic pathway. Faculty appointed in the Surgeon-Scientist Pathway will be expected to develop and sustain an active research program, including pursuit of independent external funding through federal and/or private sources. Faculty appointed in the Clinician-Educator Pathway will be expected to engage in scholarly activity, including clinical innovation, outcomes research, quality improvement, educational scholarship, or other academically recognized contributions aligned with departmental priorities.

The Department of Neurological Surgery has a nationally recognized tradition of excellence in patient care, education, and research. Faculty are expected to engage in a broad range of academic activities, including clinical service, teaching, scholarly activity, and service to the institution and profession.

All University of Washington faculty are expected to engage in teaching, research, and service.

Qualifications

Applicants for this position must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• M.D. degree (or foreign equivalent).
• Eligibility for a Washington State medical license.
• Board certification or board eligibility in Neurological Surgery.
• Eligibility to meet Veterans Affairs credentialing and appointment requirements.
• In order to be eligible for University sponsorship for an H-1B visa, graduates of foreign (non-U.S.) medical schools must demonstrate successful completion of all three steps of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), or equivalent as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Equal Opportunity

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

Benefits Information

The University is committed to providing excellent benefits to our faculty. For a summary of available benefits, please see UWHR benefits information.

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Disability Services

The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [e-mail].