Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgeon Scientist - Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor (Tenure Track)

Assistant Professor In Head & Neck Surgery

The Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (UW SMPH) is recruiting an exceptional Head & Neck Surgeon-Scientist to join the Division of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.

We are looking for candidates with a track record of clinical excellence and academic contributions as demonstrated through training, research, execution of scholarly activities, and/or practice experience.

This position involves joining a busy division of 5 head & neck surgeons who perform all aspects of ablative, robotic, and reconstructive surgery with tremendous opportunities for growth in all arms of the academic mission.

Resources and opportunities include:

• Multidisciplinary management of head & neck malignancies with a core team consisting of 5 head & neck surgical oncologists, one endoscopic skull base surgeon, 3 head & neck radiation oncologists, and 2 head & neck medical oncologists.
• Multidisciplinary head & neck tumor boards are held where 15-25 patients are presented each week.
• This program is affiliated with the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, which is the only National Cancer Institute designated cancer center in the State of Wisconsin. In addition, regular melanoma and sarcoma tumor boards and a multi-disciplinary endocrine conference are held. NIH-sponsored Head & Neck Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant funding. This $14 million SPORE focuses on translational research of head & neck cancer and provides over $350,000 annually in funding for pilot research projects in head & neck cancer. Opportunities exist for inter-departmental collaboration and mentorship.
• Trans-oral Robotic Surgery (TORS) opportunities, including access to 3 DaVinci Xi robots and approval for purchase of an additional 2 DaVinci Xi robots.
• Competitive one-year AHNS accredited Head & Neck fellowship
• Opportunities for clinical care and research at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison, which is connected to the University of Wisconsin Hospital
• An established global surgery program

• This position is full time
• This position requires work to be completed onsite, at a designated campus work location.
• This position has been identified as a position of trust with access to vulnerable populations. The selected candidate will be required to pass an initial caregiver check to be eligible for employment under the Wisconsin Caregiver Law and every four years.
• Applicants for this position will be considered for the following tenure track titles Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor. The title is determined by the experience and qualifications of the finalist.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Academic Program

We are recruiting a surgeon-scientist on the Tenure Track who will develop an original or transfer an existing, high-quality research program. The successful applicant will ultimately achieve independent and extramurally supported funding in an area relevant to the sub-specialty of head & neck oncologic surgery that makes a substantial and continuing contribution to science. The applicant will lead and conduct research activities that develop coherent and impactful lines of basic, clinical, translational, or health sciences research that may draw on numerous available collaborators. The Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery provides access to core resources including biostatistics, research programming, software development, clinical data/electronic medical records analysis, and qualitative research support.

Time dedicated to research will be equivalent to 50% or greater. Adjustments to this dedicated percentage of time can be made based on the funding needs and successful applicants' line of scientific inquiry.

Clinical

The applicant should have command of the core knowledge and understanding of medical sciences relevant to these regions and advanced diagnostic and medical and surgical management skills for patients with complex head & neck malignancies.

The applicant is expected to work collaboratively and inclusively within and across related fields including radiation oncology, medical oncology and with colleagues within the division and department. Clinical in-patient and out-patient practices are supported by a team of 12 Advance Practice Providers. Occasional otolaryngology on-call and regional outreach represent clinical commitments shared amongst all faculty.

Education

Faculty in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery share a commitment to education at levels of medical student, resident training, Head & Neck fellowship training and continuing medical education. Education of clinical and sub-intern UWSMPH medical students, resident physicians, and fellows in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery are included in daily clinical responsibilities. An active commitment to training the next generation of otolaryngologist-head & neck surgeons including commitments to ACGME-accredited residency training in otolaryngology-head & neck surgery (especially in head & neck key indicator cases), and to the AHNS accredited H&N fellowship program.

Service and Leadership

The successful candidate will be an active participant in regional and national professional associations. Leadership opportunities exist within the department and institution for qualified and interested candidates.

Academic duties and responsibilities beyond baseline faculty expectations will depend on individual interests and expertise.

The Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the School of Medicine and Public Health, and the University of Wisconsin offer an exceptional environment in which to establish and grow a robust academic career. A competitive salary and benefit package is provided, including generous academic support.

The Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at UW SMPH

In 1930, Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (Oto-HNS) was added as a division within the University of Wisconsin Department of Surgery. In 2025, after decades of growth and achievement, the division became an independent department within the School of Medicine and Public Health.

The Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery includes seven divisions: Otology and Neurotology, Laryngology, Pediatric Otolaryngology, Comprehensive otolaryngology, Rhinology and Skull base surgery, Head and Neck Oncologic surgery, and Facial Plastic and reconstructive surgery. We provide a full range of state-of-the-art specialized tertiary and quaternary care for adults and children throughout the Midwest. Ongoing clinical trials have recruited from across the country.

Education within the Department includes a commitment to medical student education, an ACGME accredited residency program of 20 residents, and fellowships in Head & Neck Oncologic and Reconstructive Surgery and Laryngology.

The Department currently has 29 active extramural grants with a total budget of over $25 million, as well as collaborations with related programs across the University of Wisconsin campus such as the Wisconsin Surgical Outcomes Research Program (WiSOR), the Waisman Center for Individuals with Developmental Delay, and through the Head & Neck Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) funding.

The Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck surgery is led by Department Chair, Dr. Sandra Lin. Dr. Greg Hartig leads the Division of Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery. Mentorship opportunities will be supported within the Department and throughout the School of Medicine and Public Health.

Compensation:

Negotiable, 12-month

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. For more information, refer to the campus benefits webpage and the SMPH Academic Staff Benefits Flyer

Required Qualifications:

• Prior to the appointment start date, candidate's specialization must include eligibility or certification in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery (ABOHNS) or by the American Osteopathic Boards of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery (AOBOOHNS)
• Applicants are required to have completed, or be currently participating in, an American Head & Neck Society accredited fellowship or its equivalent by the appointment start date.
• WI medical license by start date of position.
• Must be eligible for enrollment as a billing provider and for all necessary hospital privileges, by start date.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrate experience in the core knowledge and understanding of medical sciences relevant to these regions and advanced diagnostic and medical and surgical management skills for the following: ablative oncologic surgery, local & regional reconstructive techniques, microvascular free flap reconstruction, and trans-oral robotic surgery (TORS)
• For an appointment at Associate Professor or Professor rank on tenure track, candidates will meet criteria established by the department and as outlined in the UW Divisional Committee guidelines for promotion or appointment to Associate or Professor on the tenure track.

Education:

• MD or DO, or equivalent required