Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Director of the Institute of Human Virology (IHV)

Posted: 05-Aug-26 | Location: Baltimore, Maryland | Type: Full-time

About the Role

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.

As Chair, the individual will provide strategic, academic, scientific, and administrative leadership for the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, building upon its existing strengths, advancing excellence in research and education, supporting faculty and trainee success, and fostering integration with IHV and other UMSOM departments, centers, and institutes.

As Director of IHV, the individual will provide strategic leadership for IHV’s broader mission—encompassing basic, translational, and clinical research, epidemiology, public health, education, and global health. A central priority will be to strengthen and expand IHV’s laboratory research enterprise by assessing capabilities, establishing scientific priorities, recruiting exceptional investigators, and cultivating infrastructure and collaboration for sustained research excellence.

This role offers an opportunity 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 ideal candidate will combine intellectual vision and academic credibility with executive and administrative capabilities 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. As the largest basic science department in UMSOM, it consists of 68 total faculty, including 34 core faculty members. In 2025, the Department generated approximately $19.2 million in research expenditures, primarily from the National Institutes of Health, and is perennially ranked in the top 10 of microbiology and immunology departments by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research.

About the Institute

The Institute of Human Virology (IHV) is the first center in the United States—and possibly the world—to combine basic science, epidemiology, and clinical research in a concerted effort to accelerate the discovery of diagnostics and therapeutics for viral and immune disorders. IHV employs over 240 staff, including more than 60 faculty, with research focused on chronic human viral infection and disease. While a majority of its efforts target HIV infection, the Institute also conducts research on Hepatitis C, herpes viruses, and cancer.

Responsibilities

• Establish and execute an ambitious scientific agenda for the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and IHV.
• Strengthen foundational and translational research across microbiology, immunology, virology, and related disciplines.
• Recruit, develop, and mentor outstanding faculty and trainees.
• Foster interdisciplinary collaboration and productive connections with other departments, centers, and institutes at UMSOM.
• Provide strategic and administrative leadership for both the Department and IHV, including financial and operational oversight.
• Assess and enhance IHV’s laboratory research capabilities, infrastructure, and collaborative environment.
• Advance IHV’s mission in basic, translational, and clinical research, epidemiology, public health, education, and global health.
• Represent the Department and IHV in public, regulatory, and policy arenas.
• Ensure compliance with biosafety protocols, particularly for high-risk pathogens.

Requirements

• Terminal degree (PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (e.g., virology, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology).
• Academic accomplishments and national or international distinction commensurate with appointment as Professor at UMSOM; rank and tenure status will be determined by qualifications.
• Strong track record of federally funded research and deep knowledge of key directions in discovery and innovation; experience with major collaborative or programmatic grants is strongly preferred.
• Substantial and progressively responsible leadership experience in a complex environment, ideally within a basic science department and/or research institute in a matrixed academic medical center.
• Demonstrated ability to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and build partnerships within and outside the institution.
• Financial, operational, and administrative acumen, including experience stewarding significant resources and managing complex programs.
• Entrepreneurial approach, with a record of developing scientific strategy, recruiting faculty, and mentoring diverse teams.
• Ability to articulate and execute a vision while being operationally and fiscally astute.
• Experience mentoring trainees, students, postdocs, and junior faculty.
• National or international recognition in the field (e.g., awards, leadership roles, editorial board memberships).
• Experience communicating with scientific audiences and public media.

Pay

The expected salary range for this role is $297,000 - $446,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience. The range reflects AAMC total compensation guidelines for faculty rank, years in rank, and the administrative role as Chair. Actual compensation may include additional components of the department’s compensation program and will depend on factors such as geographic location, skills, experience, internal equity, and market conditions.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance.
• Generous leave package, including over 4 weeks of vacation accrued annually, paid holidays, personal leave, and unlimited accrual of sick time.
• Retirement program (selection required upon hire).
• Professional learning and development programs.
• Tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any University System of Maryland school.