Indiana University
Assistant Research Professor of Surgery - Plastic Surgery
This role involves leading and overseeing complex, multi-aim preclinical research projects in peripheral nerve regeneration, corneal neurotization, and trauma-induced endothelial dysfunction. The position requires advanced technical expertise in microsurgical procedures, drug-delivery platform development, and advanced imaging and tissue-analytics techniques, alongside grant development, scholarly productivity, mentorship, and laboratory leadership.
Key Responsibilities
- • Independent Research Leadership
- • Lead and oversee complex, multi-aim preclinical research projects in peripheral nerve regeneration, corneal neurotization, and trauma-induced endothelial dysfunction.
- • Independently design experimental strategies, define endpoints, and ensure scientific rigor across ongoing externally funded studies.
- • Develop and validate novel disease and injury models relevant to translational plastic surgery research.
- • Specialized Technical Expertise
- • Perform and supervise high-precision microsurgical procedures in rodent models, including nerve injury, repair, coaptation, and corneal denervation/neurotization.
- • Develop and optimize localized drug-delivery platforms.
- • Execute and interpret advanced imaging and tissue-analytics techniques, including multiplex immunofluorescence, spatial proteomics platforms, confocal and whole-mount nerve imaging, and high-dimensional image analysis and morphometric quantification.
- • Grant Development and Program Sustainability
- • Serve as key scientific contributor or Co-Principal Investigator on extramural grant applications (e.g, DoD, NIH, PSF, CTSI).
- • Generate preliminary data, experimental frameworks, and analytic plans for competitive grant submissions.
- • Maintain continuity and momentum of funded research programs through technical oversight and long-term project planning.
- • Scholarly Productivity
- • Lead manuscript development as first or senior author for peer-reviewed publications.
- • Present research findings at national and international scientific meetings (e.g., PSRC, ASPN, AAPS, ARVO).
- • Contribute to the academic visibility and national reputation of the Division’s research program.
- • Mentorship and Laboratory Leadership
- • Mentor undergraduate, graduate, and medical trainees in experimental design, microsurgical technique, data interpretation, and academic writing.
- • Coordinate multidisciplinary and multi-institutional research collaborations.
- • Ensure data integrity, reproducibility, and regulatory compliance across laboratory activities.
- • Infrastructure Development
- • Maintain and expand laboratory surgical, imaging, and analytic infrastructure.
- • Establish standardized workflows for complex, multi-project research environments.
- • Support long-term scalability of the Division’s translational research platform.
Required
- • MBBS, MD, PhD, or equivalent terminal degree
- • Advanced postdoctoral training in translational or preclinical research
- • Demonstrated expertise in microsurgical modeling and regenerative medicine
- • Experience with federally funded research programs
- • Strong record of peer-reviewed publications and national presentations
- • Proven ability to work independently and lead complex research initiatives
Preferred
- • Experience with Department of Defense– or NIH-funded research
- • Expertise in spatial biology, multiplex imaging, or high-dimensional tissue analytics
- • Prior mentorship or supervisory experience
- • Background bridging surgical training with laboratory-based translational research
Title Assistant Research Professor of Surgery - Plastic Surgery Specific Title Appointment Type Scientist Track Faculty Department IUSM - Surgery - Plastics Campus IU School of Medicine Indianapolis Position Summary
The Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine is seeking a full-time Assistant Research Professor to serve as an independent, non-tenure–track faculty member supporting the Division’s translational and preclinical research mission. The role requires advanced technical expertise, intellectual independence, and leadership across externally funded research programs in peripheral nerve regeneration, trauma biology, and regenerative medicine.
Key Responsibilities
Indiana University School of Medicine – IU School of Medicine is committed to being a welcoming campus community and we seek candidates whose research, teaching, and community engagement efforts contribute to robust learning and working environments for all students, staff, and faculty. We invite individuals who will join us in our mission to improve health equity and well-being for all throughout the state of Indiana.
IU Health – IU Health is Indiana’s most comprehensive healthcare system (ranked No. 1 in the state by U.S. News & World Report). Our unique partnership with the Indiana University School of Medicine, one of the nation’s leading medical schools, provides physicians opportunities in breakthrough research and high-quality patient care. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, with dozens of facilities statewide, IU Health is a regional leader in providing the right healthcare when and where it is needed.
Indianapolis – Indianapolis is the capital and most populous city in the State of Indiana. It is growing economically thanks to a strong corporate base anchored by the life sciences. Indiana is home to one of the largest concentrations of health sciences companies in the nation. Indianapolis has a sophisticated blend of charm and culture with a wonderful balance of business and leisure. The growing residential base is supported by rich amenities and quality of life – the city possesses a variety of professional sports, arts venues, and outdoor recreation areas. Residents of this dynamic city, and surrounding suburbs, enjoy leading educational systems and top-ranked universities, paired with a diverse population. Indianapolis International Airport is a top-ranked international airport, being named “Best Airport in North America” by Airports Council International for many years.
Basic Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Please direct questions about the process to:
Christopher R. Paynter, SHRM-CP, PHR
Human Resources Business Partner
Department of Surgery
paynter@iu.edu
Please direct questions about the opportunity to:
Jennifer F. Waljee, MD, MPH
Dr. Sanford and Thelma E. Glanz Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Chief, Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Department of Surgery
jwaljee@iu.edu
Additional Qualifications Special Instructions Priority Application Review Deadline Expected Start Date Posting Number IUSM-02401-2026
The Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine is seeking a full-time Assistant Research Professor to serve as an independent, non-tenure–track faculty member supporting the Division’s translational and preclinical research mission. The role requires advanced technical expertise, intellectual independence, and leadership across externally funded research programs in peripheral nerve regeneration, trauma biology, and regenerative medicine.
Key Responsibilities
- Independent Research Leadership
- Lead and oversee complex, multi-aim preclinical research projects in peripheral nerve regeneration, corneal neurotization, and trauma-induced endothelial dysfunction.
- Independently design experimental strategies, define endpoints, and ensure scientific rigor across ongoing externally funded studies.
- Develop and validate novel disease and injury models relevant to translational plastic surgery research.
- Specialized Technical Expertise
- Perform and supervise high-precision microsurgical procedures in rodent models, including nerve injury, repair, coaptation, and corneal denervation/neurotization.
- Develop and optimize localized drug-delivery platforms.
- Execute and interpret advanced imaging and tissue-analytics techniques, including:
- Multiplex immunofluorescence
- Spatial proteomics platforms
- Confocal and whole-mount nerve imaging
- High-dimensional image analysis and morphometric quantification
- Grant Development and Program Sustainability
- Serve as key scientific contributor or Co-Principal Investigator on extramural grant applications (e.g, DoD, NIH, PSF, CTSI).
- Generate preliminary data, experimental frameworks, and analytic plans for competitive grant submissions.
- Maintain continuity and momentum of funded research programs through technical oversight and long-term project planning.
- Scholarly Productivity
- Lead manuscript development as first or senior author for peer-reviewed publications.
- Present research findings at national and international scientific meetings (e.g., PSRC, ASPN, AAPS, ARVO).
- Contribute to the academic visibility and national reputation of the Division’s research program.
- Mentorship and Laboratory Leadership
- Mentor undergraduate, graduate, and medical trainees in experimental design, microsurgical technique, data interpretation, and academic writing.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary and multi-institutional research collaborations.
- Ensure data integrity, reproducibility, and regulatory compliance across laboratory activities.
- Infrastructure Development
- Maintain and expand laboratory surgical, imaging, and analytic infrastructure.
- Establish standardized workflows for complex, multi-project research environments.
- Support long-term scalability of the Division’s translational research platform.
Indiana University School of Medicine – IU School of Medicine is committed to being a welcoming campus community and we seek candidates whose research, teaching, and community engagement efforts contribute to robust learning and working environments for all students, staff, and faculty. We invite individuals who will join us in our mission to improve health equity and well-being for all throughout the state of Indiana.
IU Health – IU Health is Indiana’s most comprehensive healthcare system (ranked No. 1 in the state by U.S. News & World Report). Our unique partnership with the Indiana University School of Medicine, one of the nation’s leading medical schools, provides physicians opportunities in breakthrough research and high-quality patient care. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, with dozens of facilities statewide, IU Health is a regional leader in providing the right healthcare when and where it is needed.
Indianapolis – Indianapolis is the capital and most populous city in the State of Indiana. It is growing economically thanks to a strong corporate base anchored by the life sciences. Indiana is home to one of the largest concentrations of health sciences companies in the nation. Indianapolis has a sophisticated blend of charm and culture with a wonderful balance of business and leisure. The growing residential base is supported by rich amenities and quality of life – the city possesses a variety of professional sports, arts venues, and outdoor recreation areas. Residents of this dynamic city, and surrounding suburbs, enjoy leading educational systems and top-ranked universities, paired with a diverse population. Indianapolis International Airport is a top-ranked international airport, being named “Best Airport in North America” by Airports Council International for many years.
Basic Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- MBBS, MD, PhD, or equivalent terminal degree
- Advanced postdoctoral training in translational or preclinical research
- Demonstrated expertise in microsurgical modeling and regenerative medicine
- Experience with federally funded research programs
- Strong record of peer-reviewed publications and national presentations
- Proven ability to work independently and lead complex research initiatives
- Experience with Department of Defense– or NIH-funded research
- Expertise in spatial biology, multiplex imaging, or high-dimensional tissue analytics
- Prior mentorship or supervisory experience
- Background bridging surgical training with laboratory-based translational research
Please direct questions about the process to:
Christopher R. Paynter, SHRM-CP, PHR
Human Resources Business Partner
Department of Surgery
paynter@iu.edu
Please direct questions about the opportunity to:
Jennifer F. Waljee, MD, MPH
Dr. Sanford and Thelma E. Glanz Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Chief, Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Department of Surgery
jwaljee@iu.edu
Additional Qualifications Special Instructions Priority Application Review Deadline Expected Start Date Posting Number IUSM-02401-2026
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