University of South Carolina School of Medicine

Chair, Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology

The University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Columbia (USC SOMC) invites applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology (PMI). The Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology(PMI) is a vibrant basic science department at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia with a distinguished history of research excellence, innovative education, and collaborative scholarship. This is a tenure-track leadership appointment in a basic science department, with responsibility for academic, research, educational, and translational missions.

The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership to advance the department’s mission in research, education, and service while fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment. The Chair will be responsible for the continued growth of the department’s research enterprise, including basic, translational, immunologic, microbial and pathobiology research activity, enhancement of educational programs, and expansion of translational research efforts that bridge discovery science with clinical applications.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Research Leadership

• Provide strategic vision and leadership to grow and strengthen the department’s research portfolio including basic, translational, immunologic, microbial, and pathobiology research activity
• Develop and implement strategic initiatives to expand the department’s research portfolio and enhance its national prominence
• Foster interdisciplinary collaboration across basic science, clinical departments, the NIH COBRE program, and associated centers to accelerate scientific discovery and clinical translation
• Provide administrative oversight, including budgeting, strategic planning, program expansion, space allocation, and infrastructure development
• Expand partnerships with state, national, and global research networks to expand funded training grants, interdisciplinary research teams, and programmatic growth
• Promote translation of basic science insights into clinical impact, disease mechanism understanding, immunotherapy or host-pathogen interaction research, and population health benefit
• Mentor and support faculty in securing extramural funding from NIH, NSF, and other federal and private sources
• Maintain an active, externally-funded research program
• Oversee core research facilities and infrastructure to support departmental research activities
• Provide clinical administrative leadership where relevant, build a culture of shared governance, transparency, and research success

Educational Leadership

Promote excellence in education at every level:

• Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) – leadership in curriculum delivery and content in pathology, microbiology, and immunology in medical student training.
• Graduate Programs (PhD and MS) – oversight and support for student research training, dissertation progression, funding competitiveness, faculty mentorship, and laboratory growth

Oversight of teaching participation and academic engagement in nurse anesthesia (CRNA), counselling and rehabilitation, genetic counseling and physician assistant (PA) graduate-level professional programs

This position will oversee the involvement of the PMI faculty in:

• Teaching responsibilities in the undergraduate medical education (M1-M4 curriculum)
• PhD program activities within the Integrated Biomedical Sciences (IBS) program
• Master’s degree programs, including the Applied Biotechnology program
• Excellence in teaching and mentorship across all educational levels
• Innovative curricula that integrate basic science with clinical applications
• Faculty development in teaching and educational scholarship

Administrative Leadership

• Provide fiscal oversight and resource management for the department
• Recruit, retain, and mentor outstanding faculty, staff, and trainees
• Promote faculty advancement through tenure and promotion processes
• Represent the department at the School, University, and national leadership forums while advocating for faculty, equity, inclusion, and trainee success
• Build partnerships with clinical departments, industry, and community stakeholders
• Oversee departmental operations, including space allocation and strategic planning
• Provide administrative oversight, including budgeting, strategic planning, program expansion, space allocation, and infrastructure development
• Lead departmental development initiatives, including philanthropy, donor engagement, and investment partnership opportunities to support growth in research, training, and innovation

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY, MICROBIOLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY

To learn more about the exciting research, educational programs, and accomplishments within the PMI Department at the USC School of Medicine–Columbia, please visit our website: PMI website link

Research Excellence

The department maintains a robust research portfolio with sustained NIH funding and national recognition. Current research strengths include:

• Cannabinoid research and inflammation: the department houses an NIH COBRE (Center of Biomedical Research Excellence) for Dietary Supplements and Inflammation
• Host-microbiota interactions: Investigating the complex relationships between immune function, gut microbiome, and disease
• Cancer immunology and cachexia: Translational studies examining immune mechanisms in cancer progression and treatment
• Mast cell biology and allergic diseases: Novel therapeutic approaches for inflammation and allergy
• Exosome therapeutics: Innovative delivery systems for cancer treatment
• Exercise immunology and metabolic disease: Understanding immune-metabolic interactions in health and disease

The department has achieved significant milestones, including:

• Annual NIH funding reaching as high as $9 million
• Over $60 million in extramural funding attracted over the past two decades
• Multiple R01 grants, center grants, and infrastructure awards

Educational Programs

PMI provides foundational education across multiple programs:

• Undergraduate Medical Education: The department delivers comprehensive instruction in pathology, microbiology, and immunology to medical students (M1-M4), integrating basic science concepts with clinical applications.
• Graduate Programs: PhD training through the Integrated Biomedical Sciences (IBS) program Master’s programs in Biomedical Sciences and Applied Biotechnology. Several doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, and trainees have been mentored over the past two decades.
• Professional Programs: The department contributes to education in Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA), Counseling and Rehabilitation, Genetic Counseling and Physician Assistant programs.
• Medical Student Engagement: An active Medical Student Interest Group (MSIG) for Pathology promotes student involvement in research and career exploration, recently receiving the Margaret Grimes Medical Student Interest Group Grant.

Faculty and Collaborative Environment

The department comprises accomplished basic science and clinician-scientist faculty members with expertise spanning immunology, microbiology, pathology, cancer biology, neuroscience, and translational research. Faculty maintain collaborative relationships across multiple institutions including MUSC, Johns Hopkins, UC Irvine, and beyond.

A strong culture of mentorship and collaboration fosters success for faculty at all career stages, supported by:

• Women in Science and Medicine (WiSaM) Committee promoting equity and inclusion
• Regular networking and collaboration events
• Active participation in university-wide research courses and facilities
• Established partnerships with clinical departments for translational research

Recent Accomplishments

• Faculty recognized with national awards including the Society of Toxicology Vos Career Award
• Successful F31, F99/K00, and K99/R00 awards for trainees and early-career investigators
• High student success rates in competitive national research symposia and conferences
• Strong record of publications in high-impact journals including Nature Communications, mBio, Journal of Immunology, and Frontiers in Immunology

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE COLUMBIA

The University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia(SOMC) is the state’s second oldest medical school and a leader in medical education, biomedical research, and community engagement. Visit our website to learn more of the great things going on at the School of Medicine: SOMC website link

Salary will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The University of South Carolina offers an excellent benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities.

If interested in applying, use the Quick link to complete the application process: https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/199180. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Application materials should include:

• Cover letter outlining your vision for the department and qualifications for the position
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement of research interests and accomplishments
• Statement of leadership philosophy and experience
• Names and contact information for five professional references