Genomics

UO HR Website•Eugene, OR

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Oregon invites applications for the Philip H. Knight Chair in Biology, a tenured faculty position at the rank of Professor. The position is based on the university’s main campus in Eugene, Oregon, with a primary appointment in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Biology and opportunities for affiliation and leadership across university research institutes, centers, and academic programs. The chair recognizes exceptional scholarly achievement and supports continued leadership in research and education, as well as development of the university’s new Genome Science and Biotechnology major. The university seeks an internationally recognized scholar whose work addresses important questions in genome science and related fields. Relevant areas include computational genomics and bioinformatics; genome engineering and synthetic biology; evolutionary and population genomics; genome structure, function, and regulation; developmental and cellular genomics; ecological and environmental genomics; microbial and host-associated genomics; quantitative, complex-trait, or statistical genomics; single-cell, spatial, or multi-omic approaches; artificial intelligence and machine learning for genomic discovery; and development of genomic methods, technologies, software, or community resources. The successful candidate will maintain an ambitious, externally funded research program and provide intellectual leadership that strengthens genomics across the university and contributes to the public good. Their expertise should complement and advance research in Biology and connect with university strengths across fields including ecology and evolution, molecular and cellular biology, neuroscience, marine biology, data science, bioengineering, and host–microbe systems. The position includes contributions to undergraduate and graduate curricula in genomics and related areas, and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. A central responsibility is helping envision, develop, and support the new undergraduate major in Genome Science and Biotechnology, including curriculum development, teaching courses, and supporting experiential and research-based learning that integrates genome science, biotechnology, data science, computation, professional development, and hands-on research and laboratory training. As a senior faculty member and holder of the Philip H. Knight Chair, the candidate will contribute leadership to the university’s genomics community. Potential contributions include building interdisciplinary research programs, strengthening shared infrastructure, developing collaborative research and training initiatives, recruiting and mentoring faculty, connecting centers and institutes, and helping define an institutional vision for genomics. The university seeks a constructive leader committed to excellence in research, teaching, mentoring, service, and a healthy, respectful, intellectually ambitious academic community. The Department of Biology has approximately 50 research and teaching faculty. Research faculty are affiliated with one or more of four institutes: the Institute of Ecology and Evolution, the Institute of Molecular Biology, the Institute of Neuroscience, and the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology. Faculty contribute to doctoral programs and interdisciplinary training across life sciences, quantitative sciences, and engineering. The university provides genomics research infrastructure including the Genomics and Cell Characterization Core Facility, Research Advanced Computing Services, the Imaging Microscopy Core, the Center for Advanced Materials Characterization, greenhouse facilities, and terrestrial and aquatic animal facilities. Additional collaborations are available through the Knight Campus, Oregon Health & Science University, and other regional, national, and international partners. The University of Oregon is an Association of American Universities member with a Carnegie “very high research activity” classification. It enrolls approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 3,600 graduate students and has a 295-acre campus in Eugene. The university encourages applications from individuals who will contribute to an inclusive faculty and a thriving community. All employment offers are contingent on successful completion of a background check. The university provides eligible employees with health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off, and is an equal-opportunity institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Requirements

PhD or equivalent terminal degree in genomics, biology, computational biology, bioinformatics, genetics, or another relevant field.
Academic record appropriate for appointment with tenure at the rank of Professor at the University of Oregon.
Internationally recognized record of significant and influential research accomplishments commensurate with appointment as a Knight Chair.
Sustained record of extramural research support appropriate to the applicant’s field.
Demonstrated excellence in teaching, mentoring, and research training.
Demonstrated record of academic, scientific, or professional leadership.

Nice To Haves

Experience with research programs that establish new connections or capabilities across multiple areas of genomics.
Record of leading successful interdisciplinary or multi-investigator research efforts.
Experience building research programs, shared resources, training programs, institutes, centers, or other collaborative scientific enterprises.
Experience developing undergraduate or graduate curricula in genomics, biotechnology, computational biology, or a related area.
Strong record of mentoring graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, junior faculty, or other researchers.
Contributions to widely used datasets, technologies, analytical methods, software, model systems, or community resources.
Evidence of effective and inclusive professional practices in research, teaching, mentoring, leadership, and service.
Compelling vision for advancing genomics research and education across the University of Oregon, including the new undergraduate major in Genome Science and Biotechnology.

Responsibilities

Maintain an ambitious, externally funded research program in genome science or a related field.
Provide intellectual and institutional leadership that strengthens genomics across the University of Oregon and contributes to research serving the public good.
Contribute to undergraduate and graduate curricula in genomics and related areas.
Mentor undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars.
Contribute to the vision, development, and success of the Genome Science and Biotechnology undergraduate major.
Participate in curriculum development and teach courses within the new major.
Support experiential and research-based learning, including hands-on research and laboratory training.
Contribute leadership to the university’s genomics community, potentially by building interdisciplinary programs, strengthening shared infrastructure, developing collaborative research and training initiatives, recruiting and mentoring faculty, connecting centers and institutes, and shaping an institutional vision for genomics.
Contribute to excellence in research, teaching, mentoring, and service and foster a healthy, respectful academic community.