Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology & Director of the Institute of Human Virology

The Opportunity

The University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) seeks an accomplished, visionary, and collaborative scientist-leader to serve concurrently as  Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Director of the Institute of Human Virology (IHV). For the first time, UMSOM will bring these two leadership roles together, creating an exceptional opportunity to advance an integrated scientific vision across microbiology, immunology, virology, and related areas of human disease.

The successful candidate will lead two highly regarded academic and research enterprises with complementary strengths and significant potential for continued growth. This individual will establish an ambitious scientific agenda, strengthen foundational and translational research, recruit and develop outstanding faculty, and create new opportunities for interdisciplinary discovery across the Department, IHV, and the broader UMSOM community.

As Chair, the individual will provide strategic, academic, scientific, and administrative leadership for the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, which includes 33 core faculty and perennially ranks among the top 10 departments nationally in federal funding. The Chair will build upon the Department’s existing strengths, advance excellence in research and education, support the success and development of faculty and trainees, foster effective integration with IHV, and productive connections with other departments, centers, and institutes across UMSOM. Supporting the strong educational programs within the Department, the Chair will be looked upon to play a meaningful role with graduate and medical students across the School of Medicine.

As Director of IHV, a central priority of this role will be to lead, strengthen, and expand IHV’s laboratory research enterprise. The individual will also provide overarching strategic leadership for IHV’s broader mission—which encompasses basic, translational, and clinical research, epidemiology, public health, education, and global health. Working in close partnership with the accomplished leaders of these complementary programs, the Director will advance IHV’s mission to improve human health through scientific discovery, innovation and global collaboration. The Director will assess existing capabilities, establish clear scientific priorities, recruit and support exceptional investigators, and cultivate the infrastructure and collaborative environment necessary for sustained research excellence.

This is a leadership opportunity of exceptional breadth and scientific potential. The Chair/Director will have the platform to shape an integrated research strategy, develop areas of distinction, and position UMSOM for continued national and international leadership in microbiology, immunology, virology, infectious diseases, and related disciplines. The role calls for a distinguished scientist who combines intellectual vision and academic credibility with the executive and administrative capabilities required to lead two substantial and multifaceted organizations.

About the Department

The  Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) is a nationally recognized academic department dedicated to advancing knowledge of infectious diseases and immune regulation through rigorous research and comprehensive trainee development. The largest basic science department in the UMSOM, the Department consists of 33 core faculty members. The Department has achieved sustained research excellence and a strong national reputation. In 2025, its faculty generated approximately $19.2 million in research expenditures, the majority from the National Institutes of Health. The Department is perennially ranked in the top-10 of microbiology and immunology departments in the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research rankings, a widely recognized measure of NIH funding among departments at U.S. schools of medicine.

About the Institute

The  Institute of Human Virology (IHV)is the first center in the United States - perhaps the world - to combine the disciplines of basic science, epidemiology and clinical research in a concerted effort to speed the discovery of diagnostics and therapeutics for a wide variety of chronic and deadly viral and immune disorders. At present, a majority of the Institute's clinical and research effort is targeted at HIV infection, but also includes the Hepatitis C virus, herpes viruses and cancer research.

Essential Qualifications

• Terminal degree (PhD, MD, MD/PhD or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (e.g., virology, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, etc.)
• Academic accomplishments and national or international distinction commensurate with appointment as Professor at UMSOM; rank and tenure status will be determined by the successful candidate's qualifications.
• Recognized scientific and research impact, with an extensive publication record and an active portfolio of extramural grant funding.
• A strong track record of federally funded research and a deep knowledge of the important directions in discovery and innovation in research. Experience with major collaborative or programmatic grants is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated progressively responsible leadership experience in a complex organizational environment, preferably within a basic science department, research institute, or similarly matrixed academic medical center.
• Demonstrated ability to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and to build partnerships within and outside the department, institute and institution.
• Demonstrated financial, operational and administrative acumen, including experience stewarding significant resources and managing a complex portfolio of programs.
• An entrepreneurial approach, experience developing scientific strategy, a demonstrated record of successful recruiting, and the ability to inspire, manage, mentor faculty, and galvanize a diverse team.
• Experience mentoring trainees, students, postdocs, and junior faculty.
• Ability to articulate and execute a vision.
• Operationally and fiscally astute.
• Knowledge of biosafety, especially if handling high-risk pathogens.
• Reputation in the field — national/international recognition (awards, memberships in leadership bodies, editorial boards).
• Speaking/publishing to both scientific audiences and public media.
• Capacity to represent the Department and IHV in public fora, regulatory, and policy arenas.

Compensation

The expected rank of the successful candidate is Professor; however, rank and tenure status are dependent on candidate’s qualifications. The expected salary range for this role is $297,000 - $446,000; salary will be commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

The referenced salary range reflects the AAMC total compensation pay guidelines, which is based on faculty rank and years in rank and the administrative role as Chair. This salary range may not include all components of the department’s compensation program; therefore, the actual compensation paid to the selected candidate may vary from the salary range stated herein. The referenced salary range represents the minimum and maximum salaries for this position and is based on the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. The actual compensation offered to the selected candidate may vary and will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, internal equity, market conditions, education/training and other factors, as reasonably determined by the University.

UMB offers a comprehensive  benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development. This position participates in a retirement program that must be selected and is effective on your date of hire. Faculty receive a generous leave package that includes over 4 weeks of vacation accrued each year, paid holidays, personal leave, unlimited accrual of sick time, and comprehensive health insurance; professional learning and development programs; and tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any University System of Maryland school.

To Apply

To submit an application or share nominations, please contact the DSG Global Team directly, reaching out to Abby Walsh at  View email address on jobs.sciencecareers.org or View phone number on jobs.sciencecareers.org. For applications, please include your current CV and letter of introduction.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore and the University of Maryland School of Medicine are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law or policy. University of Maryland School of Medicine values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.