Director, Vanderbilt Institute for Chemical Biology

Vanderbilt University (VU) invites applications for a senior faculty member to direct the Vanderbilt Institute for Chemical Biology (VICB). This position is based in the School of Medicine – Basic Sciences led by Dean John Kuriyan. However, the highly collaborative activities of the VICB and its faculty span multiple schools of the University as well as the adjacent Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC).  

The VICB was founded in 2002 and provides intellectual focus and infrastructure for research and education in chemical biology and drug discovery at Vanderbilt. There are currently 95 members from a broad range of departments in VU and VUMC. The VICB operates two complementary core facilities (High-Throughput Screening and Molecular Design and Synthesis). These cores are professionally managed and staffed with skills ranging from assay development, high-throughput screening, lead optimization, and chemical tool design and synthesis. VICB members and cores have played an important role in discovering and developing multiple drug candidates, some of which are in human clinical trials. The VICB also plays a vital role in educating undergraduate and graduate students across campus. VICB members serve as mentors on several chemical biology-focused training grants, complementing numerous other training grants based in the School of Medicine. 

VU and VUMC are home to a myriad of investigators with expertise spanning the basic-to-translational research continuum for a wide range of human disorders. This includes microbial pathogenesis, particularly the emergent challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This is reflected, for example, by the research of the faculty of the Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation (VI4) and the Division of Infectious Disease in the Department of Medicine.

Competitive candidates will have a track record of excellence in chemical biology, broadly defined, and an interest in leading the VICB and its affiliated cores in the broad mission of growing and nurturing the development and application of chemical biological approaches. The Director is also expected to lead a vibrant research program that leverages the highly collaborative environment at Vanderbilt and its numerous core and training resources to generate high-impact discoveries at the interface between molecular biosciences and human health and disease. We welcome applications from all qualified investigators, with candidates having a research interest in the problem of antimicrobial resistance especially being encouraged to apply. Significant resources will be available to the successful director to support and further develop the VICB and the Director’s research program.

Applicants should provide a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and 2-3 page research statement that includes your commitment to inclusive excellence. All materials must be submitted through Interfolio. Please forward all questions and inquiries to VICB_search@vanderbilt.edu.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. https://www.vanderbilt.edu/eoa/