University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Provide leadership in the development and administration of UTMB’s Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine (UHM) Fellowship, an innovative program integrating traditional hyperbaric medicine with aerospace-driven hypobaric medicine. This role spans academic, clinical, research, and operational domains, guiding a fellowship that prepares physicians to address human physiology across pressure-extreme environments relevant to undersea operations and spaceflight. The successful candidate will also foster collaborations with governmental, military, academic, and commercial partners.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Fellowship Leadership and Education

• Lead the development, accreditation, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Fellowship.

• Design and oversee curriculum integrating hyperbaric medicine, aerospace medicine, hypobaric physiology, decompression science, and operational medicine.

• Provide educational leadership and mentorship to fellows, residents, medical students, and other trainees.

• Develop and evaluate educational objectives, learning outcomes, and competency assessments.

• Participate in teaching activities, lectures, simulations, and experiential training programs

• Participate in teaching activities, lectures for the Master of Science in Aerospace Medicine degree

Research and Scholarly Activity

• Develop and maintain an active research program focused on hyperbaric medicine, decompression physiology, aerospace medicine, human performance, and related fields.

• Pursue external funding opportunities and collaborative research initiatives.

• Publish scholarly work in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at national and international scientific meetings.

• Support trainee research and scholarly development.

Strategic Partnerships and Program Development

• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with government agencies, military organizations, academic institutions, commercial partners, and professional societies.

• Promote interdisciplinary collaboration to advance education, research, and operational medicine capabilities.

• Support program growth through outreach, business development, and stakeholder engagement activities.

Spaceflight Medical Operations Responsibilities

• Contribute to medical operations, requirements development, and clinical or research activities for government, military, commercial and international partners involved in human spaceflight and exploration missions.

·         Provide hyperbaric and/or aerospace medicine expertise, including medical evaluations for spaceflight participants and, when needed, deliver direct flight‑surgeon support across preflight, in‑flight, and postflight phases for government, commercial, or military customers.

Service and Administration

• Participate in departmental, school, and university committees and governance activities.

• Contribute to strategic planning and institutional initiatives related to aerospace, operational, and extreme environment medicine.

• Represent UTMB in professional organizations, scientific meetings, and external collaborations.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Required Qualifications

·         Education:

o   Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), or equivalent degree

o   Master of Science in Aerospace Medicine or equivalent degree (e.g., Master of Public Health)

·         Certification:

o   Current board certification in a clinical medicine discipline, e.g. Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine

o   Current board certification in Aerospace Medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) or the American Osteopathic Board of Preventive Medicine (AOBPM)

o   Current board certification in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM), the American Osteopathic Board of Preventive Medicine (AOBPM), or the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM)

·         Licensure:

o   Current Texas Medical License or ability to obtain such license within six (6) months of start date

·         Experience:

o   Minimum of one year of experience in Aerospace Medicine practice and/or education.

o   Minimum of one year of experience in Hyperbaric Medicine practice and/or education.

·         Citizenship:

o   Must be a United States Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident

Preferred Qualifications

·         Minimum 3 years of combined experience in Aerospace Medicine and Hyperbaric Medicine through clinical practice and/or education

·         Prior academic or residency leadership experience

·         Experience with operational and/or research aerospace environments and providing medical support for human spaceflight activities (e.g., NASA, military, commercial space)

·         Strong record of scholarly activity and publication

·         Training as an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)

SALARY:

Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

UTMB Health strives to provide equal opportunity employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. As a Federal Contractor, UTMB Health takes affirmative action to hire and advance protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.