Chair, Department of Genetics

University of Pennsylvania • Philadelphia, PA

1d

About The Position

The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania seeks an accomplished scientific leader to serve as Chair of its Department of Genetics. The Chair will lead a collaborative and growing department and shape its scientific distinction, institutional impact, and national prominence. The department has more than 30 faculty members working across human genetics and genomics, evolutionary and population genetics, genome engineering, epigenetics, RNA biology, functional genomics, computational and statistical genomics, rare disease genetics, cancer genetics, neurogenetics, and precision medicine.

The Chair will provide strategic, scientific, educational, and administrative leadership. Penn’s research ecosystem—including the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Penn Engineering, the Wistar Institute, and interdisciplinary centers and institutes—offers opportunities to advance genetics and genomic medicine. The role includes advancing research from fundamental discovery through translational and precision medicine, strengthening education and training, building institutional partnerships, stewarding departmental resources and core facilities, and expanding philanthropic engagement and visibility.

Requirements

• MD, PhD, MD/PhD, or equivalent terminal degree.
• Eligibility for appointment to the Standing Faculty at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor at the Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania.
• Internationally respected record of scholarship and sustained scientific productivity.
• Substantial academic leadership experience.
• Demonstrated excellence in mentorship and faculty development.
• Strong operational and financial acumen.
• Collaborative leadership style and ability to lead change and deliver measurable results.
• Experience with or aptitude for development and donor relations.

Responsibilities

• Articulate and execute a bold vision for the future of genetics and genomic medicine.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop exceptional faculty and sustain a rigorous scientific community.
• Advance research excellence from fundamental discovery through translational and precision medicine.
• Strengthen education and training across graduate, medical, postdoctoral, and undergraduate programs.
• Build interdisciplinary partnerships across Penn, CHOP, the Wistar Institute, and affiliated institutions.
• Steward departmental resources and core facilities and expand philanthropic engagement and visibility.
• Provide strategic, scientific, educational, and administrative leadership.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree