Assistant Professor

Position Information

The Department of Molecular Pharmaceutics at the University of Utah College of Pharmacy (https://pharmacy.utah.edu/pharmaceutics/ ) seeks excellent applicants for a tenure-track assistant professor faculty position.

Potential areas of research interests include, but are not limited to gene and drug delivery, gene therapy & viral vector engineering, microbiome engineering, therapeutic protein engineering, tumor-based infection, immunotherapy & immunoengineering, neurotherapeutics, cell therapy, theranostics, pharmaceutical robotics & automation, pharmaceutical material sciences, and interfaces of modern molecular pharmaceutics, biomedical research, and data science. Preferably, we seek candidates whose research vision aligns with the pillars of excellence at the University of Utah and the Huntsman Cancer Institute. These include initiatives in neuroscience, cancer, diabetes and metabolism, immunology, inflammation, infectious diseases, innovative bioengineering and 3D printing technologies, as well as data science and artificial intelligence. Translational alliances with the University’s Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute (CVRTI), the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, and/or the Health Sciences Bioinformatics cluster are other possibilities.

The successful candidate must possess a doctoral degree in a relevant discipline with postdoctoral experience, a strong record of publications and the ability to develop and sustain an independent, extramurally funded research program. The candidates with extramural funding including K99/R00 or those who have received competitive funding scores from funding institutions are strongly encouraged to apply. The candidate’s innovative research programs will promote basic and translational research in areas such as therapeutics design and engineering and investigations on the mechanistic understanding of biological barriers for successful delivery and development of therapies. Candidates are expected to teach in the professional PharmD program of the College of Pharmacy and the PhD graduate program of Molecular Pharmaceutics.

The Department of Molecular Pharmaceutics is home to three internationally recognized centers, the Center for Controlled Chemical Delivery, Center for Cell Sheet Tissue Engineering, and the Utah Center for Nanomedicine. It has a strong tie with the Department of Biomedical Engineering with several joint faculty as well as adjunct faculty whose research interests span both departments. The College of Pharmacy consistently ranks in the top ten for receiving National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding among the colleges of pharmacy in the US.

The University of Utah is a research-intensive institution with an annual research funding of nearly eight hundred million dollars, a vibrant and collaborative atmosphere, state-of-the-art healthcare, and research facilities, and is highly supportive of student and faculty entrepreneurial activities. Nestled in the Wasatch foothills, the University is close to world-class biking and hiking trails, rock climbing, and ski and snowboard terrain, and within driving distance to several magnificent national parks.

Applications will be reviewed as soon as they are complete. For fullest consideration, materials should be received by December 1, 2025. Applicants should provide: 1) a cover letter 2) list of names and contact information for at least three references, 3) complete curriculum vitae, 4) statement of research goals and 5) statement of teaching philosophy.

Applications must be submitted on-line at: https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/185756

Inquiries may be directed to the Chair, Search Committee: Kuo-Ching (KC) Mei, Assistant Professor of Molecular Pharmaceutics at kc.mei@pharm.utah.edu.

The University of Utah Health (U of U Health) is a patient focused center distinguished by collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. The U of U Health values candidates who are committed to fostering and furthering the culture of compassion, collaboration, innovation, accountability, acceptance, integrity, quality, and trust that is integral to our mission.