Neuroscience Teaching Faculty Position
Department of Neurobiology
University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Heersink School of Medicine (HSOM) invites applications for a teaching faculty position in the Department of Neurobiology. We are seeking candidates who apply innovative approaches to teaching the development, function, and malfunction of the nervous system at multiple levels of analysis. Appointment will be at the Assistant Professor level, non-tenure earning, with the possibility of transitioning to tenure-earning in the future. While all neuroscience areas are welcome, candidates with expertise in motivated behavior (drug use), neurodevelopmental disorders, neuropharmacology, or computational neuroscience are particularly encouraged to apply. The Department of Neurobiology at UAB’s HSOM has a long history of promoting scientific and teaching excellence.
UAB is a research-intensive university ranked in the top 10 among public universities for NIH funding. The Department of Neurobiology (link) co-directs UAB’s undergraduate neuroscience major with the Department of Psychology; the program has grown to more than 360 students, most of whom are honors students. Neuroscientists with an interest in a full-time teaching position at the undergraduate and graduate level are needed to teach advanced electives and introductory courses in the fundamentals of neuroscience alongside three or more full-time teaching faculty. UAB’s teaching facilities are outstanding; each classroom is equipped with modern videoconferencing technology and many are designed to facilitate active learning and team-based learning scenarios. The Department of Neurobiology also provides extensive opportunities for teaching in undergraduate honors, graduate, and/or medical training programs. Modern faculty offices are in the Shelby Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Building and nearby Civitan Building.
On the research front, the department has strengths in the molecular mechanisms of neuronal function, synaptic communication and plasticity, motivated behaviors, and animal models of disease. Faculty use technical approaches spanning molecular, genetic, cellular, systems, and behavioral levels of analysis. UAB is strongly committed to neuroscience education and research, and the department is expanding rapidly under new leadership. A broad and collegial environment for neuroscience is facilitated by the UAB Comprehensive Neuroscience Center, a network of over 200 basic, translational, and clinical faculty from 23 departments.
UAB pursues the frontiers of education, research and health care and strives to be one of the most dynamic and productive universities of the 21st century. Our undergraduate population is approximately 21,000 students. The Heersink School of Medicine has more than 1,200 full time faculty and approximately 1,200 medical and graduate students. UAB is the largest employer in the state of Alabama with operating revenues of $3 billion. Birmingham is a cosmopolitan city at the heart of a metropolitan area with a population of 1.1 million people. It is a rich cultural center and progressive community with low cost of living, moderate weather, and ample outdoor activities.
Successful candidates must have a Ph.D. and/or M.D in a related field and a strong interest or track record in neuroscience education. Teaching faculty members are expected to participate in education of undergraduate students and possibly also professional or graduate students. To ensure consideration, applications should be submitted by December 1st, 2024, but applications will be considered until the position is filled. Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, brief summary of current and proposed teaching activities, teaching philosophy statement (1 page or less), and list of references as a single PDF file.
Contact: Dr. Cristin Gavin, Search Committee Chair, Department of Neurobiology, UAB, (205) 934-433 cfgavin@uab.edu.
Collaboration, integrity, respect, and excellence are core values of our institution and affirm what it means to be a UAB community member. A key foundation of UAB is diversity. At UAB, we are committed to innovating opportunities and success for all, every day. UAB is committed to fostering a respectful, accessible, and open campus environment. We value every member of our campus and the richly different perspectives, characteristics, and life experiences that contribute to UAB’s unique environment. UAB values and cultivates access, engagement, and opportunity in our research, learning, clinical, and work environments. Heersink School of Medicine aims to create an open and welcoming environment and to support the success of all UAB community members.
