Tenured: Professor & Department Head of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology

About the Role

The Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology (MPIM) at the Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine (VCOM) seeks a tenured Professor to serve as Department Head. This is a full-time, 11-month appointment with an anticipated start date in summer or fall 2027. The position reports to the Dean of the Vashisht College of Medicine and holds a key leadership role overseeing the department’s research, education, and service missions, as well as managing faculty and departmental resources.

Department Mission & Strengths

Mission: The MPIM Department conducts cutting-edge research to improve human health and educates the next generation of scientists and clinicians. The department has an outstanding track record of innovative scientific achievements in host–pathogen interactions, virology, bacteriology, and immunology, with a commitment to growth in research and scholarship through sustained extramural funding and high-impact research.

• Modern research infrastructure with open lab design and state-of-the-art facilities
• BSL‑3 facility accommodating multiple high-consequence pathogens
• Excellent vivarium facilities and a Laboratory Animal Resources and Research (LARR) facility for comprehensive in vivo research support
• Updated core facilities: flow cytometry and sorting core, integrated microscopy and imaging core, molecular genomics core
• Part of a larger research ecosystem within VCOM and other research-intensive colleges at Texas A&M, enabling interdisciplinary collaborations
• Faculty cohort includes established, mid-career, and new investigators, with commitment to strengthening key research areas

Responsibilities

Research

• Collaborate with faculty to define, develop, and implement a collective vision that expands basic and translational research
• Promote commercialization of research discoveries and faculty entrepreneurship

Teaching

• Advance the educational mission in collaboration with VCOM and Texas A&M University leadership
• Facilitate, support, and advocate for training of the next generation of scientists and physicians
• Champion continuous improvements in medical and graduate education

Service

• Provide vision and leadership to advance the reputation of the department, college, and university locally, nationally, and internationally
• Serve on college and university committees, study sections, academic societies, and as journal editor or editorial board member
• Demonstrate commitment to community service
• Lead development of relationships with alumni, donors, and key partners

Administration & Leadership

Leadership

• Guide the department to the next level of academic excellence; act as an exemplary role model
• Be a highly visible, collaborative leader supporting University and College strategic goals in partnership with other department heads, College academic leaders, and University research leadership
• Build a strong, impassioned collaborative vision with department faculty for excellence across the academic mission
• Understand, appreciate, and prepare for current and future trends in the sciences; help develop a vision for the future of basic science research at the College of Medicine
• Advocate for faculty and department needs in a highly matrixed academic environment as a member of the college’s leadership team
• Nominate department members for internal and external awards and national committees

Mentorship

• Support an environment that mentors and develops all trainees and faculty at all levels (early career, mid-career, senior)
• Commit to and actively participate in undergraduate medical and graduate education
• Identify, recruit, and retain the next generation of superior faculty members
• Ensure a supportive atmosphere where research and career development are championed

Administrative & Financial Management

• Effectively manage resources to ensure departmental excellence in administrative processes and procedures
• Prepare, oversee, and implement a departmental budget encompassing all funding sources with compliance to external grant, legislative, and institutional guidelines
• Ensure ethical and fiscally responsible practices within the department

Qualifications

Required

• PhD, MD, DVM, or other equivalent degree(s) in a relevant area (e.g., Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Pathology)
• Current academic rank of tenured Professor or equivalent
• Distinguished record of outstanding scientific achievements evidenced by high-impact publications, sustained extramural research funding, and national/international recognition
• Examples of successful collaborative academic leadership with demonstrated experience in education of professional and graduate students
• Examples of developing early-career faculty and academic leaders with a reputation for excellence in mentorship of students and trainees
• Demonstrated experience building or expanding a program, department, or group, including identifying and recruiting faculty with broad expertise
• Demonstrated managerial and business experience with knowledge of complex financial pressures facing academic departments
• Excellent communication and conflict resolution skills; proven ability to promote a collaborative environment
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate and navigate issues, think strategically, and prioritize department needs
• Demonstrated experience fostering an intellectually stimulating environment supporting all faculty, staff, and students, with commitment to continue doing so at Texas A&M University

Preferred

• Proven track record of leadership by example with intent to continue outstanding high-impact research and teaching while serving in an administrative role
• Experience with program project (e.g., P01), training (e.g., T32), and