Chair, Department of Neuroscience

Role Description: Chair, Department of Neuroscience

The chair of the Department of Neuroscience is an outstanding scientist and investigator who leads a group of outstanding basic science research faculty investigator scientists and is responsible for the development and execution of cutting-edge research in neuroscience, including mood disorders, synaptic excitation and inhibition, neuron-glial interactions, epilepsy, neurodegenerative disorders, neuro-inflammation, and for developing partnerships across Tufts University and Tufts Medicine.

We seek candidates who have established themselves as scientists and leaders in neuroscience at or above the Associate Professor level. The Department is keenly interested in achieving inclusive excellence and encourages applications from the broadest diversity of candidates.

Department of Neuroscience

The Department of Neuroscience at Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM) in downtown Boston, MA, is thriving with a vibrant faculty and annual extramural grant support of over $15M; see: https://medicine.tufts.edu/about/academic-departments/basic-science-departments/neuroscience. In addition, the Neuroscience Department has existing relationships with schools across Tufts University and Tufts Medicine, affording translational and clinical research opportunities that this candidate will help to expand. Building collaborative relationships with the Tufts School of Engineering and TUSM Departments of Psychiatry, Neurology and Neurosurgery are priorities for this leader.

Current core strengths of the TUSM Neuroscience Department include mood disorders, synaptic excitation and inhibition, neuron-glial interactions, epilepsy, neurodegenerative disorders, neuro-inflammation, and using animal and human iPSC-derived cellular models of neurological and psychiatric disease. We offer generous start-up packages, newly renovated laboratory space, excellent shared cores for imaging and behavioral testing, mentorship by senior faculty, and a highly collaborative environment offering opportunities for both basic and translational research.

Chair of Neuroscience

The chair of Neuroscience reports to the Dean of the School of Medicine and works closely with the other department chairs to ensure that research and teaching in the master's degree, PhD, and professional programs on the Boston campus continues to be of exceptional quality, innovative, and fully aligned with the curriculum committees overseeing each program (Masters, PhD, MD). The Department of Neuroscience chair facilitates this goal by working collaboratively with the Directors of the PhD programs, MD program, the Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs. The chair is responsible for creating a research/learning/teaching/working environment that is broadly inclusive and fully supports the mission and vision of TUSM to inspire discovery and revolutionize health education.

Specific responsibilities of the Department of Neuroscience Chair

In addition to the chair's focus on conducting world class research, individual responsibilities as a member of the faculty, the chair has oversight of the faculty and day-to-day activities of the department. Specific responsibilities include:

Faculty recruitment

The hiring of outstanding faculty and staff members is necessary to replace those who retire, leave Tufts for other opportunities, or to address needs due to expanding programs. It is the chair's responsibility to assess current and future needs and to oversee a transparent process to identify and recruit the best possible faculty member for each position, to honor the University's commitment to inclusivity, and to make every effort to attract candidates from diverse backgrounds.

Research

Working closely with department members and school administration to utilize human and financial capital to build an environment in which investigators thrive. An essential aspect is recruitment of investigators who, with department support, will build successful independent research programs, as well as be committed to the success of the greater department and wider research community. The chair guides the long-term vision for research in the department by building on existing strengths in the molecular mechanisms of neurological and psychiatric disease, glial biology, and synaptic neuroscience. They also support developing cross department, school and university collaborations to enable faculty to conduct the most impactful multidisciplinary research.

Assignment of Teaching and Administrative Responsibilities

The chair is responsible for selecting faculty members for course directorship roles and contributing to decisions regarding leadership of the PhD programs. Assignments to these important leadership roles are made in consultation with the Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the Vice Dean of Academic Affairs and the leadership within each degree program as appropriate. The chair helps faculty members prepare to take on these positions and provides the mentorship needed to be impactful leaders in these key roles.

Faculty Appointments and Promotions

The chair is responsible for ensuring the professional development of faculty members in the department by providing the necessary opportunities and mentoring for appropriate advancement to tenure status and Associate and Full Professor of Neuroscience. The chair oversees the gathering of materials required for appointment and promotion, including letters of evaluation for faculty members in the department being reviewed for appointment or promotion.

Budget / Salaries

The chair helps develop and oversees the department budget, together with the department administrator. Salaries of faculty members and staff in the department, including annual merit increase recommendations, are the responsibility of the chair.

Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM)

Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM) prepares students to become skilled, passionate health care professionals and researchers that make a difference in the world. Our graduates continue on to academic research positions, careers in biotechnology and top-tier residencies or take leadership roles at prestigious organizations around the country. They segue into dynamic, fulfilling careers that improve lives and tackle some of medicine's toughest challenges. The school of Medicine is located on the Health Sciences campus in Boston and matriculates over 1850 students a year in 7 programs including PhD, Master's degrees in basic science in the Tufts Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), MD, Physician Assistant, Public Health, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Master's Degree in Biomedical Sciences programs.

In 1893, TUSM raised the bar for the medical profession when it integrated clinical practice and the latest scientific research. More than a century later, TUSM is still breaking ground. The vision for TUSM is to become the premier medical school revolutionizing health education and inspiring discovery now and for future generations.

Our mission seeks to foster the development of dedicated clinicians, scientists, public health professionals, and educators who will have a sustained positive impact on the health of individuals, communities, and the world.

Our rigorous four-year MD program offers students the academic foundation and clinical experience they need to move confidently to the next step in their educations and careers. The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) offers advanced degrees including Master's degrees and PhDs in the basic sciences. Our faculty have earned international attention and respect in their fields and are known for fostering an atmosphere of collegiality and collaboration across specialties and institutions. We are leveraging our interdisciplinary Tufts community-from schools of engineering, veterinary medicine, nutrition, dental medicine, and international affairs-to examine old problems in new ways. Strong programs in Public Health, Physician Assistant, Pre-health, and our innovative accelerated hybrid doctorate in Physical Therapy all further add to TUSM's academic portfolio.

Together, we are improving health outcomes and training the next generation of medical leaders

Qualifications

Applicants should hold an appropriate doctoral degree (PhD, MD, DO, etc.) and serve at the level of Associate or full Professor with experience appropriate to their career level. We highly encourage applications from women and minoritized individuals committed to mentoring underrepresented groups in the sciences.

The ideal candidate for the Chair of the Department of Neuroscience will have the following qualities:

* Outstanding research track record as evidenced by extramural funding

* A scholar with a record of peer reviewed publications or similar record of academic productivity

* Experience leading teams

* An effective leader, mentor, and team builder

* Strong interpersonal skills

* An outstanding educator and mentor, with strong teaching evaluations

* Experience with budget and administrative responsibilities

* Collaborative with experience in conflict management and negotiation

* Dedicated to inclusive excellence

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit their CV along with a cover letter describing their interest in the position and their qualifications to Dr. Carl Heilman at Carl.Heilman@tuftsmedicine.org and cc: Robin.Bowman@tufts.edu.

Please submit electronic applications, including a CV, a statement describing your vision for the role, along with a brief statement of your commitment to fostering inclusive excellence and email addresses of at least three references.

Questions regarding the position may be addressed to:

* Dr. Carl Heilman at Search Committee Chair, at Carl.Heilman@tuftsmedicine.org.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Tufts University, founded in 1852, prioritizes quality teaching, highly competitive basic and applied research, and a commitment to active citizenship locally, regionally, and globally. Tufts University has also committed to becoming an anti-racist institution and prides itself on continuously improving diversity, equity, and inclusion work. Current and prospective university employees are expected to develop skills continually and a disposition for positively engaging with a diverse population of faculty, staff, and students.

Tufts University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our faculty and staff and fostering their success when hired. Members of underrepresented groups are welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. See the University's Non-Discrimination statement and policy here https://oeo.tufts.edu/policies-procedures/non-discrimination/