Assistant/Associate Professor

Job Description

Job Description

Title:   Assistant/Associate Professor

Employee Classification: Associate Professor

Campus: University of North Texas Health at Fort Worth

Division: HSC-Provost & Exec VP

Sub Division-Department: HSC-CBTS-Office of the Dean

Department: HSC-Pharmacology & Neuroscience-302700

Job Location: Fort Worth

Salary: Commensurate with experience

FTE: 1.000000

Retirement Eligibility: ORP Eligible

About Us - Values Overview

Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and University of North Texas Health Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year.

We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team.

Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at

Department Summary

The Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience in the College of Biomedical and Translation Sciences at the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNT Health) is a nationally recognized academic and research department dedicated to advancing discoveries in brain health and therapeutic development. The department is committed to preparing learners for impactful careers in biomedical and translational research, education, and healthcare by fostering strategic collaboration and delivering world-class training and research.

The Sensory Research Institute (SRI) is a newly launched, premier interdisciplinary research institute within UNT Health dedicated to advancing the understanding of human sensory systems and translating discoveries into innovative approaches that improve health and quality of life. SRI serves as a nexus for collaborative research, education, and innovation focused on hearing, smell, taste, touch, and multisensory integration across the lifespan and disease.

Research activities are supported by state-of-the-art facilities, strong interdisciplinary collaborations, and significant federal and foundation funding. The department is also home to the NIH-supported training grant in the Neurobiology of Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease and offers outstanding graduate education through its Pharmacology & Neuroscience and Visual Sciences programs. Students benefit from hands-on research training, advanced coursework, mentorship from accomplished investigators, and professional development opportunities that prepare graduates for successful careers in academia, government, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industry. Faculty teach a variety of topics to other programs such as Medical, Physical Therapy, and Physician’s Assistant, Master of Medical Science, and Doctoral students.

Together, the Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience and the Sensory Research Institute represent complementary areas of excellence that strengthen UNT Health’s national reputation in neuroscience, sensory biology, and translational research. Through a culture of innovation, collaboration, and discovery, we continue to make significant contributions to understanding disease mechanisms and developing novel strategies to prevent and treat neurodegenerative disorders.

Position Overview

The Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience and the Sensory Research Institute are seeking to hire a dynamic, innovative tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor with a background in Pharmacology and/or Neuroscience, with research programs complementing our existing research strengths.

The successful applicant will report directly to the Chair of the Department and maintain a secondary reporting relationship to the Executive Director of the SRI. The individual will contribute to the development and advancement of the educational, research, and service programs of the College of Biomedical and Translational Sciences, while actively supporting the mission, strategic priorities, and growth objectives of both the Institute and the Department.

The successful applicant will have, and maintain, active, extramurally funded research and provide instruction and training to students and trainees through teaching in graduate and undergraduate educational programs and mentoring in research. Competitive lab start-up funding is available, and the faculty member will have access to outstanding departmental and institutional facilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. degree in Pharmacology or Neuroscience, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 3-4 years of postdoctoral experience.
• Extensive research experience as evidenced by multiple publications in their current field and current funding.
• Experience teaching at the graduate level.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate students.
• Employees in this job may be responsible for conducting research on, working on, or having the ability to access critical organizational infrastructure and they must be able to maintain the security and integrity of the infrastructure related to this role.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Capacity to lead an independent research program while mentoring graduate students and postdocs.
• Skills in designing courses relating to research and background expertise.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• A track record of scholarly excellence as evidenced by current extramural funding and by peer-reviewed publications in the field of pharmacology or neuroscience.
• Research interest lining up with our Sensory Research Institute.
• Teaching and mentoring experience in a graduate or professional program.
• Track record of securing extramural funding from federal agencies such as the NIH, foundations, or industry, with experience managing research budgets.
• High-impact publications in peer-reviewed research journals.

Job Duties

• Teaching and mentoring of graduate students, postdoctoral trainees, and technical staff undertaking research projects.
• Advancing an already established, high-quality record of peer-reviewed publications in vision-focused research.
• Participating in the activities of the departmental committees and pursuing additional professional and service activities as assigned by the P&N Department Chair and Executive Director of the SRI.
• Maintaining a safe work environment, including ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal legislation, and the undertaking of risk assessments.
• Seeking extramural support in both individual and collaborative manners to support high quality research.
• Promoting the mission, vision and values of UNT Health.

Physical Requirements

• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Lifting and Moving objects up to 50 pounds.
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

Environmental Hazards

• Exposure to fumes or airborne particles.
• Work with toxic or caustic chemicals.

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm, this is an in-person, on-campus role

Driving University Vehicle

No

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. 

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.