Professor and Chair of Pharmacology

Position Summary

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine seeks an accomplished and visionary leader to serve as Chair of the Department of Pharmacology. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to lead one of the nation’s premier pharmacology departments, consistently recognized for excellence in research, education, and innovation. The department currently ranks fifth nationally in NIH funding and third among public universities, reflecting a strong research portfolio and a collaborative academic culture.

Founded in 1906 by William Mac Nider as the Laboratory of Pharmacology, the department is among the ten original pharmacology departments in the United States. It admitted its first doctoral candidates in 1968 and conferred its first PhDs in 1971. Since then, the department has expanded significantly in size, funding, and scope, contributing to advances in emerging fields such as stem cell biology, RNA interference, and gene therapy.

• Educate and train the next generation of research scientists.
• Determine the molecular and cellular basis of human disease.
• Advance the development of novel therapeutics.

• Defining and advancing departmental priorities.
• Promoting excellence in teaching, mentorship, and scholarship.
• Recruiting and developing outstanding faculty, staff, and trainees.
• Strengthening and expanding the research portfolio.
• Fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and safe academic environment.
• Representing the department to School of Medicine leadership and external partners.
• Enhancing the department’s national and international visibility.
• Building partnerships with industry, government, and philanthropic organizations.

Minimum qualifications include a PhD, MD, or MD/PhD degree.

The successful candidate will have a distinguished record of achievement in pharmacology or a related field, demonstrated excellence in research, education, and mentorship, and proven experience in academic leadership. The ideal candidate will possess strategic vision, integrity, and the ability to lead and inspire a diverse community of scholars in a dynamic academic environment.

This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority in accordance with the Clery Act. This position will be required to report Clery crimes to the Clery Compliance Manager and complete annual training about reporting responsibilities.