Research Assistant Professor – Radiation Biology of Tumor Immunity, College of Medicine

Roles and Responsibilities 

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center Memphis (UTHSC) faculty will work in collaboration with the UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute (UT-ORII), ORNL researchers and the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK) investigators to address the molecular mechanisms of cancer immunity affected by targeted alpha-radiation therapy of solid tumors. The new hire research faculty will collaborate on DART research projects, proposal preparation, submission, and student mentoring at the graduate level. This non-tenure position is a five-year contract with full salary support for the first year, followed by a gradual decrease in salary coverage such that the successful applicant will receive 50% salary support in year 5 and is expected to receive extramural funding by year 3 or earlier.  The applicant will be expected to recruit graduate students by year 3.  Potential of carryover for year 4 of the initial funding is possible. Continuation of the position will depend on the success of the hire and the team in attracting multi-year funding that will carry the possibility of conversion into a tenure-track position. A competitive startup package including support for PhD students and budget for equipment will be offered.  We are especially interested in highly motivated candidates whose research interests align with radiation therapy (e.g., radiation biology, tumor immunology, cancer biology, theranostics research). The successful candidate will be expected to establish an independent, academic laboratory-based research program that complements DART goals and integrate its research with ORNL and UTK researchers. Four anchor investigators of the project will provide mentoring and necessary infrastructure to the hire.

The selected candidate will:

• Develop and lead research studies to understand the impact of radiation on antitumor immunity. Studies of the radiation-affected changes in the immunology of the tumor microenvironment are of great interest.
• Examine and optimize the efficacy of novel alpha-particle isotopes coupled via a chelator complex to a targeting antibody affect the exhaustion of immune cell responses againt tumor cells in the tumor microenvironment.
• Develop a strong collaboration with the members of this CRI and investigators at the UTHSC Center for Cancer Research, cancer researchers at UTK Cancer Institute and ORNL.
• Develop applications for extramural funding.
• Present findings to peer groups at conferences and to audiences of the CRI and UT-ORII meetings. 
• Advise and supervise graduate students.

Qualifications

Research Faculty Position in CSLC Resistance to Radiation Therapy

The successful applicant will have previous research experience with a documented list of peer-reviewed publications. Previous experience with writing funding proposals and success attracting research funding is a plus but not a requirement. The collaborative project will include ~ 20 investigators of DART developing novel alpha-emitting radionuclides that are targeted to tumor cells, CSLC in particular. The team of collaborators will include other professionals at UTK departments, and ORNL Divisions. The new hire will be expected to develop an extramurally funded research program and advise graduate students. Applicants will be considered at all faculty ranks.

Basic Qualifications: 

• PhD in tumor immunology, tumor biology or a related field.
• Documented experience by publications related tumor immunity.
• Strong communication skills and an ability to collaborate with other researchers and advise graduate students.
• A strong track record of relevant peer-reviewed publications

Departmental Preferences

• Track record in developing grant proposals and securing funding.
• A clear path to independence as a researcher is desired though an ‘on-ramp’ through collaboration with more senior investigators is also encouraged.

The position will be implemented via a 5-year contract, renewable for subsequent years on progress review in year 3. 

Salary and title/rank will be determined commensurate with experience. Benefits will be typical of exempt employees at the University of Tennessee. Startup funds are available, and a recurring budget is also available.

Application Instructions: 

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. 

Applications must include:

1. a letter of interest;
2. a comprehensive curriculum vitae;
3. a research plan;
4. the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references.

Facilities at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center

UTHSC Center for Cancer Research and the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine withs its excellent resources will be the primary academic home for the new faculty.  The mission of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is transforming lives through collaborative and inclusive education, research, scholarship, clinical care, and public service. With six colleges – Dentistry, Graduate Health Sciences, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy – at its main campus in Memphis, in addition to educational and clinical campuses at major hospitals in Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville, and sites across the state, UTHSC strives to fulfill its vision: Healthy Tennesseans. Thriving Communities. For more information, visit www.uthsc.edu. You can find the University of Tennessee Health Science Center on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.