Professor and Chair of Pharmacology

Department :

Med Ad-Deans Office - 420104

Posting Open Date : 11 / 06 / 2025

Open Until Filled : Yes

Position Type : Permanent Faculty

Working Title :

Professor and Chair of Pharmacology

Appointment Type : Open Rank

Vacancy ID : FAC0005727

Full-time / Part-time :

Full-Time Permanent

Hours per week : 40

FTE : Position Location :

North Carolina, US

Hiring Range :

Dependent on Qualifications

Proposed Start Date :

07 / 01 / 2025

Be a Tar Heel! :

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities . Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package , paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work / life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit :

Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education and research.

Patient care : We promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.

Education : We prepare tomorrow`s healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce.

Research : We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research.

Position Summary :

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine seeks an accomplished and visionary leader to serve as Chair of the Department of Pharmacology. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to lead one of the nation’s premier pharmacology departments, consistently recognized for excellence in research, education, and innovation. The department currently ranks fifth nationally in NIH funding and third among public universities, reflecting a strong research portfolio and a collaborative academic culture.

Founded in 1906 by William MacNider as the Laboratory of Pharmacology, the department is among the ten original pharmacology departments in the United States. It admitted its first doctoral candidates in 1968 and conferred its first PhDs in 1971. Since then, the department has expanded significantly in size, funding, and scope, contributing to advances in emerging fields such as stem cell biology, RNA interference, and gene therapy.

The mission of the Department of Pharmacology is to :

• Educate and train the next generation of research scientists.
• Determine the molecular and cellular basis of human disease.
• Advance the development of novel therapeutics.

The department fosters a multidisciplinary training environment with strengths across chemical and structural biology, quantitative cell biology, proteomics, computational biology, and drug design. Faculty research spans a broad range of areas including neuropharmacology, cancer pharmacology, and drug discovery and development. Methodologies include biochemical assays, electrophysiology, imaging, and behavioral studies. Faculty collaborate extensively across UNC’s research ecosystem, including the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Neuroscience Center, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Computational Medicine Program, and Eshelman School of Pharmacy.

The department is home to 32 primary faculty and more than 70 additional adjunct, research, or joint appointees. It is housed in the Genetic Medicine Building, a modern research facility shared with the Departments of Biochemistry & Biophysics and Genetics, and divisions within the Eshelman School of Pharmacy. This environment promotes collaboration and interdisciplinary innovation.

The Chair will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for the department’s research, education, and service missions. Key responsibilities include :

This recruitment is Open Track / Open Rank, and the appropriate track and rank will be determined once the top candidate is selected. In addition to a primary faculty appointment in the Department of Pharmacology, the selected candidate will hold a secondary EHRA Non-Faculty administrative appointment as Department Chair.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements :

Minimum qualifications include a PhD, MD, or MD / PhD degree.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience :

The successful candidate will have a distinguished record of achievement in pharmacology or a related field, demonstrated excellence in research, education, and mentorship, and proven experience in academic leadership. The ideal candidate will possess strategic vision, integrity, and the ability to lead and inspire a diverse community of scholars in a dynamic academic environment.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities :

This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority in accordance with the Clery Act. This position will be required to report Clery crimes to the Clery Compliance Manager and complete annual training about reporting responsibilities.