Chair, Department of Microbiology and Immunology

The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), in partnership with Korn Ferry, invites nominations and expressions of interest for the position of Chair, Department of Microbiology and Immunology.

Founded in 1891, UTMB was the first medical school and hospital in the country under unified leadership. The UTMB of today is a four campus, $2.5 billion modern health care system with 3,808 students, 1,012 faculty, and schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Professions, Public and Population Health, as well as a Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Fueled in part by its culture of collaboration and strengthened by its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, UTMB is dedicated to the educational, intellectual, professional, and personal development of a diverse group of exceptional students, trainees, and faculty who are deeply committed to the study and practice of medicine, to biomedical research, and to public health.

UTMB continues to make critical investments to strengthen its cutting-edge research and capabilities, particularly interdisciplinary approaches to discovery and innovation.  A critical success factor for the institution in expanding these changes, especially as it relates to the preventions and cures for both common and emerging infectious diseases, is the recruitment of a new Chair for the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, which is ranked #1 by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. A national search is underway. 

Serving as the leader of the Department, the Chair will oversee the Department’s growth, development, operations, management, and financial performance, and will have the opportunity to expand the national prominence of their Department’s research and training programs as well as their own individual research program. They will nurture a collaborative training environment with strong mentorship that fosters intellectual creativity and instils passion in the next generation of scientists to perform fundamental basic and translational research. Candidates must be operationally astute, highly knowledgeable about opportunities in research, and familiar with recent advances and challenges in all disciplines housed within the Department.

Reporting to Charles Mouton, MD, MS, MBA, Executive Vice President, Provost and Dean, John Sealy School of Medicine, the Chair must be a passionate advocate for their Department’s faculty, graduate and medical students, scientists, and staff. They will foster an environment of collaboration, integrity, trust, and transparency within the Department, as well as between the Department and UTMB at large. They will work closely with other Department Chairs and UTMB Health Leaders to enhance and deepen research collaborations with the John Sealy School of Medicine, UTMB Health, and cross-university research initiatives. The successful Chair will have the opportunity to continue to lead a 21st century Department on a foundation of renowned training and research excellence, serving as an advocate within the University for all of its missions. Qualified candidates will possess an MD, PhD, or MD/PhD (or equivalent); be eligible for appointment as an Associate or Full Professor; have a strong record of research accomplishments, productivity, and peer-reviewed extramural funding, including ongoing R01 or equivalent grants; have a national presence; and a track record of program development and faculty and trainee recruitment and development.

Korn Ferry is assisting UTMB with this important recruitment.  Applications should include a detailed curriculum vitae and a letter of interest.  To ensure full consideration, inquiries, nominations, and applications should be submitted electronically, in confidence, to tara.vittese@kornferry.com.

UTMB Health and the University of Texas System are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local laws, unless such distinction is required by law.