Assistant/Associate/Full Professor of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology - Glycobiology

Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology

Position Description:
The NextGen Center for Influenza and Emerging Infectious Diseases (CIEID) at the University of Missouri (MU) invites applications for a tenure/tenure-tracked faculty position specializing in Glycobiology. We seek candidates with expertise in glycobiology with a collaborative interest in human studies and using swine models of influenza and other infectious diseases. The position will be housed within the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology in the School of Medicine, with opportunities for joint appointments within the School of Medicine or other academic units.

The CIEID is a university-wide initiative supported by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, involving collaborative partnerships with School of Medicine, College of Engineering, College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Arts and Science, and College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. The Center fosters interdisciplinary infectious disease research with the mission of developing precision health solutions for influenza and other infectious diseases that threaten public health and animal health. This position is part of a cluster hire initiative aimed at strengthening the mission of the NextGen CIEID.

Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will lead an innovative, extramurally funded research program, contribute to undergraduate and graduate education, train doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows, and provide academic service both on campus and within the broader scientific community. They will be expected to develop collaborative research projects aligned with CIEID's mission, including programmatic grants that focus on pathogen transmission, host-pathogen interactions, immune responses, and therapeutic developments. The candidate's research should focus on the role of glycobiology in influenza and other respiratory diseases, driving new insights into host-pathogen interactions and contributing to advancements in vaccine design and antiviral therapeutics.

About MU:

The University of Missouri (MU), the flagship campus of the University of Missouri System, is a premier research institution located in Columbia, a vibrant community consistently ranked among the top small cities to live in the United States. As a Carnegie R1 institution, MU is renowned for its excellence in research, teaching, and service. With a strong focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, MU fosters partnerships across its campuses, system, and beyond, driving impactful basic, clinical, and translational research that benefits both human and animal health.
The Center for Influenza and Emerging Infectious Diseases (CIEID) is a growing initiative dedicated to developing precision health solutions to combat influenza and other infectious diseases that threaten public and animal health. The center is supported by MU's strategic investments, including the $6.5 million NextGen Center of Excellence for Influenza Research Large Animal Facility, which features a new ABSL-2 facility of approximately 8,300 gross square feet and designed to study transmission of influenza viruses, with the capability of regulating both temperature (5-30 oC) and humidity (10-90%). Additionally, a second $7 million large animal ABSL-2 facility under construction is located in an adjacent building, spanning approximately 9,200 square feet.

MU's biomedical research is further supported by advanced facilities, including the $225 million NextGen Precision Health building, which accelerates discoveries through cutting-edge imaging, genomics, and molecular biology technologies. The Bond Life Sciences Center offers interdisciplinary research space for scientists tackling complex health challenges. MU also features the Clinical and Translational Science Unit (CTSU), which provides infrastructure and support services to bridge laboratory discoveries with patient care, promoting translational science and improving public health outcomes. The university is a national leader in swine and infectious disease research, and the Laboratory for Infectious Disease Research (LIDR)-one of the nation's few ABSL-3 regional biosafety laboratories-supports advanced studies in infectious disease pathogenesis and transmission. The Gehrke Proteomics Center offers state-of-the-art mass spectrometry capabilities, supporting cutting-edge glycomics and proteomics research. These state-of-the-art resources, combined with MU's collaborative research environment, position the university as a leader in research that improves the health of both humans and animals.

Minimum Qualifications: Ph.D. with postdoctoral training or equivalent experience in Glycobiology, Biochemistry, or a related field
Candidates will be evaluated on: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Candidates applying for the Assistant Professor level should demonstrate the potential to establish and maintain an externally funded research program. Those applying for the Associate level should have an established, extramurally funded research program, a strong record of peer-reviewed publications, and national or international recognition.

Candidates will be evaluated on: excellent written and verbal communication skills. Candidates applying for the Assistant Professor level should demonstrate the potential to establish and maintain an externally funded research program. Those applying for the Associate level should have an established, extramurally funded research program, a strong record of peer-reviewed publications, and national or international recognition.

Proven track record of successful research and effective communication in both research and educational settings, with evidence of past collaborations or a willingness to engage in related research areas. The ideal candidate should have a strong interest in developing and applying glycobiology approaches to both basic and translational research, using human studies and swine models to investigate influenza and other emerging infectious diseases. The candidate shall demonstrate a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, including integration with virology, immunology, structural biology, and systems biology research to drive scientific innovation and discovery.

Submit Cover letter; Curriculum vitae; one-page summary of research accomplishments with two pages of future plans; and names and contact information for three references. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Specific inquiries regarding this position may be directed to the search committee chair Henry Wan (wanx@missouri.edu).

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.