Neurodegenerative Disease Faculty Joint Appointments: Van Andel Institute, University of Michigan Medical School, and University of Michigan Health West

Van Andel Institute

About The Position

Van Andel Institute (VAI), the University of Michigan Medical School (UM), and University of Michigan Health West (UMHW) invite applications for two physician-scientist faculty positions focused on movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. This recruitment represents a strategic, long-term partnership among three organizations with complementary strengths and a shared commitment to advancing translational research and patient-centered clinical care in movement disorders. Together, VAI, UM, and UMHW have intentionally designed these positions to integrate discovery science, academic neurology, and high-quality clinical care within a collaborative, translational framework. Appointments will be at the Associate or Full Professor level, with consideration given to exceptional Assistant Professor candidates whose experience, trajectory, and vision align with the goals of this partnership. The shared goal of this partnership is to strengthen the translation of scientific discovery into clinical insight and impact for patients with movement disorders, while fostering durable, bidirectional collaboration between laboratory investigators and clinicians. Position A: Research-Intensive Physician-Scientist (Movement Disorders) This position is intended for a physician-scientist whose primary focus is laboratory-based, translational research in movement disorders, supported by a focused clinical neurology practice. Position B: Clinically Intensive Physician-Scientist (Movement Disorders) This position is intended for a physician-scientist whose primary focus is patient-centered clinical care in movement disorders, integrated with meaningful participation in collaborative, translational research. An independent laboratory program and federal research funding are not required for this role. Candidates with an interest in developing a larger research presence over time will be supported, and the balance of clinical and research activities may be tailored based on individual strengths and interests. Together, the roles strengthen the partnership’s ability to advance team-based translational research, ensuring that clinical insight informs discovery science and that laboratory findings are rapidly translated to patient care. Research interests may include, but are not limited to: Neuroinflammation and glial cell biology Autophagy, lysosomal pathways and vesicular sorting pathways Protein pathologies and strains Synaptic and mitochondrial dysfunction Biomarker and therapeutic development Applicants employing novel technologies, experimental platforms, and disease models are especially encouraged. Faculty will hold joint academic appointments in the Department of Neurology at the University of Michigan Medical School and Van Andel Institute, providing access to: Collaboration with over 80 full-time neurology faculty A broad network of Interdisciplinary clinical and scientific collaborators across the University of Michigan A monthly clinic in Ann Arbor, potentially with students and fellow trainees present Virtual academic neurology conferences, including grand rounds and clinical and research conferences in movement disorders. Career development programming is also available. Membership in the Michigan Neuroscience Institute (MNI), a multidisciplinary community advancing biological, engineering, psychological and computational approaches to neuroscience Faculty will hold clinical neuroscience appointments at University of Michigan Health West, a 208-bed multispecialty hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, offering: High-volume inpatient and outpatient clinical care Comprehensive neurology, neurosurgery, stroke, critical care, diagnostic and interventional radiology services A robust clinical research office and institutional review board to support clinical studies UMHW serves as a key clinical anchor for translational research and regional patient impact.

Requirements

Applicants should demonstrate a strong commitment to movement disorders, translational neuroscience, and interinstitutional collaboration.
Associate or Full Professor candidates are expected to be recognized leaders in their field. For research-intensive candidates, this typically includes an independently funded research program. For clinically intensive candidates, leadership may be demonstrated through depth of clinical expertise, translational research contributions, and sustained engagement in collaborative scientific programs.
Assistant Professor candidates must be exceptional early-career physician-scientists with strong potential for impact in research and/or clinical care.
M.D. degree (Ph.D. desirable for research-intensive position)
Completion of clinical residency and scientific postdoctoral fellowship training
Board certification in clinical neurology
An outstanding record of peer-reviewed publications
A strong record of clinical and/or research accomplishment
Demonstrated commitment to collaborative, team-based translational research

Responsibilities

Lead an independent, extramurally funded research program focused on movement disorders and related neurodegenerative conditions
Conduct translationally relevant research that bridges fundamental discovery and clinical application
Maintain a focused clinical practice in neurology that informs and strengthens their research
Collaborate actively with clinicians and investigators across VAI, UM, and UMHW
Contribute to mentoring, scientific leadership, and collaborative research initiatives within the partnership
Provide expert clinical care to patients with movement disorders
Contribute to translational research through clinical insight, patient cohorts, clinical data, biospecimen collection, and leadership in clinical trials and observational studies
Work closely with laboratory-based investigators to ensure clinical relevance and impact of ongoing research efforts
Serve as a key clinical partner within the broader movement disorders research ecosystem

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