Cluster Hire in Translational Regenerative Medicine
As part of the Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program, North Carolina State University (NC State) seeks faculty scholars with diverse disciplinary skills to enhance the University’s faculty expertise and excellence. We invite applications and nominations for faculty positions at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank to partner with faculty in the area of Regenerative Medicine. We seek innovative and transformative academic leaders whose scholarship will further NC State’s position as one of the premier universities of its kind in the nation. Appointments will begin in August 2012 and continue until the positions are filled. Inclusiveness and diversity are academic imperatives and thus, university goals. The University is particularly interested in candidates with experience in working with students from diverse backgrounds and who have a demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for students from underrepresented groups.
The Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program
Announced in September 2011 as part of the University’s 2011-2020 strategic plan, “The Pathway to the Future,” the Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program is investing $5 million to facilitate partnership of academic colleges and hire individual scholars or small groups (clusters) of scholars in strategically important areas to further the University’s teaching and research mission. In February 2012, 17 proposals were selected and funded in the following 12 cluster areas: Bioinformatics, Data-driven Science, Digital Transformation of Education, Environmental Health Science, Forensic Sciences, Genetic Engineering and Society, Geospatial Analytics, Global Environmental Change and Human Well-Being, Innovation and Design, Personalized Medicine, Synthetic and Systems Biology, and Translational Regenerative Medicine.
Proposals were selected based on criteria related to their ability to achieve national eminence, alignment with the University’s strategic priorities, demonstration of interdisciplinary research, the potential to build on existing strengths, opportunity for faculty to engage in research and teaching on the topic, the ability to attract funding, commitment to share resources and infrastructure, inclusion of multiple colleges, and the demonstration of a balanced hiring plan with clear leadership. As a result, NC State will hire 38 faculty members in the 12 research areas or “clusters” as noted above. http://provost.ncsu.edu/news/faculty-excellence-program-02-15-12.php
About The Cluster
Regenerative Medicine is a rapidly growing field that requires comprehensive interactive approaches. Successful candidates will join a highly active campus-wide interdisciplinary regenerative medicine group. NC State faculty from the Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research (CCMTR), the College of Engineering, the College of Textiles, and the College of Veterinary Medicine are committed to moving this emerging field forward. The unique strengths of this institution include 1) the availability of naturally occurring and induced large animal models, and the clinical expertise to study them at the College of Veterinary Medicine; 2) the existence of a Clinical Studies Core within the CCMTR with extensive expertise in designing and implementing clinical trials in large animals; 3) the manufacturing expertise in the department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, critical to move science from the bench to the bedside; 4) the expertise in the department of Biomedical Engineering, with strengths in multiple aspects of regenerative medicine and functional tissue engineering, and with a link to the strong medical program at the University of North Carolina; 5) the availability of expertise in material sciences and non-woven technology in the department of Material Science and Engineering and the College of Textiles, critical for development of new scaffolds required for design of bio-engineered organs and tissues; and 6) a strong partnership with Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine, essential to facilitate the movement of technologies to the human field. In addition, as part of this cluster hire, a pilot manufacturing laboratory is being created, where novel ideas and concepts can be developed and tested in a veterinary setting before moving to human applications.
The Position(s)
We are recruiting three exceptional faculty who will be capable of working together to coalesce and expand existing expertise, including, but not limited to, cardiac and musculoskeletal biology. Talented, ambitious, team-oriented faculty will be appointed at the Assistant/Associate Professor level in each of the following areas:
- Translational aspects of stem cells, specifically expertise in isolating, expanding and adapting patient-derived cells for clinical applications. Preferred applicants would have a combination of both clinical (DVM or MD) and laboratory (PhD) experience. The position will require frequent interactions with clinical faculty to identify needs and develop clinical projects at the Veterinary Health Complex.
- The development, manufacture and operation of custom bioreactors and robotics for targeted applications in regenerative medicine. We are seeking candidates with interest in scale-up issues of regenerative medicine manufacturing including automation and sensing, process development (including 3D scaffolds), and design/control of custom bioreactors targeted to cell therapies.
- Expertise in biomaterials development and characterization, specifically the development and clinical testing of three-dimensional scaffolds. Applicant should have a background in both in vitro and in vivo analyses of novel biomaterials he/she develops and an understanding of biomimetic extracellular stimuli that may regulate cell response (e.g., material, mechanical, chemical stimuli, etc).
Candidates must have a distinguished record in research, teaching, and/or service. The successful candidate will possess PHD and/or DVM, MD to qualify for an appointment as Assistant or Associate Professor.
The application should be submitted online. To apply, please visit https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/8800 to complete the Applicant Profile. Applications should include curriculum vitae, letter of intent, and names and addresses of three references the committee may contact. The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications August 1, 2012 and the search will remain open until the positions are filled.
Confidential inquiries, and nominations, should be directed to:
- Dr. Jorge Piedrahita, Chair, Search Committee, Jorge_piedrahita@ncsu.edu
- Dr. Kyle Mathews, Department of Clinical Sciences, Kyle_mathews@ncsu.edu
- Dr. Elizabeth Loboa, Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering, egloboa@ncsu.edu
- Dr. John van Aalst, UNC Medical School, john_vanaalst@med.unc.edu
- Dr. Julie Willoughby, Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science, julie_willoughby@ncsu.edu
- Dr. Rick Wysk, Industrial and Systems Engineering, rawysk@ncsu.edu
Individuals with disabilities desiring accommodation in the application process should contact Beth Buck at beth_buck@ncsu.edu or (919) 513-6308.
Participating Units
Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research (CCMTR)
The mission of the CCMTR is to promote scientific discovery and facilitate its clinical application to achieve the goal of improving the health of animals and humans. Translational research is patient-centric. The needs of the patients direct the emphasis of basic research, patient samples provide the critical resource to investigate the basis of disease, and patient participation in clinical studies is required to generate the evidence needed to apply new drugs, vaccines and technology to the broader patient population. Initiatives at the Center are designed to develop the multidisciplinary teams necessary to bring an idea from the lab to the patient. The Center is home to service cores that provide advanced technology, collect and store clinical patient samples, and perform clinical trials to validate new medical interventions.
College of Veterinary Medicine
The College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is located at the center of a new Centennial Biomedical Campus that includes the recently opened Randall B Terry Jr. Companion Animal Veterinary Medical Center, a thriving, state-of-the-art veterinary hospital that provides clinical expertise and case material for translational research. Future building plans for the Centennial Biomedical Campus will capitalize on collaborations between industry and academia to facilitate development of novel diagnostics and therapeutics. In addition, NC State’s location in Raleigh provides rich opportunities for interactions with industry, other universities and academic medical centers, including Duke University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as government agencies such as EPA and NIEHS; all located within a 25-mile radius.
College of Engineering
NC State Engineering is committed to providing a quality education to our students that prepares them for careers in an ever-increasing technological world and creating an environment for our faculty and staff that promotes advanced research and technology transfer. With more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students, the College is among the top engineering schools in the country. Our graduates are highly sought after and find careers in public and private sectors that include research and development, design, construction, production, sales and management. Dr. Louis A. Martin-Vega, dean of engineering, directs 748 faculty and staff in nine academic departments, 11 administrative offices and more than 20 state-of-the art laboratories, institutes and research centers.
Our faculty, staff and students are engaged in vital areas of research and technology transfer, with a special focus on interdisciplinary thrust areas such as bioengineering, nanotechnology and information and communications technology. We believe that our dedication to creating an environment in which our faculty, staff and students can excel holds the best promise for future leaders who are able to anticipate and meet the technological needs of our local, national and global communities.
College of Textiles
Whether it is creating new photovoltaic fibers or the next generation of lithium ion batteries, or super light, super strong fiber-based composites for the aircraft and automobiles of the future, or filters for providing clean water and air for the world; the College of Textiles is the leader in this new world. It is easy to understand our record undergraduate and graduate enrollment when you visit the College and tour its 61 leading-edge laboratories in polymer and fiber science, color science, composites, nonwovens, filtration, energy, forensic science, digital design, management sciences, atmospheric plasma technologies, electro-spinning, medical textiles and microscopy. Our world-leading thermal protection and comfort labs have been expanded to include chemical and biological protection. Our state-of-the-art labs in textile technologies support both student learning and industry partners in basic and advanced areas such as weaving, spinning, knitting and braiding through electro-spinning, bi component and tri-component extrusion, to staple, melt blown and spun bond nonwovens. Our breakthrough research and close industry partnerships provide new products meeting specific customer needs as well as form the basis for dynamic and exciting curricula.
About North Carolina State University
Founded in 1887, NC State University is a land-grant institution distinguished by its exceptional quality of research, teaching, extension, and public service. It is the largest university in the state, with more than 34,000 students and 8,000 faculty and staff. NC State is one of two research-extensive institutions in the 17 campus University of North Carolina system. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as one of only 31 universities nationwide with both “very high” research activity and notable community engagement. NC State consistently ranks among the nation’s top public universities and best higher-education values. Its historic strengths in science and technology are supported by its commitment to excellence in a comprehensive range of fields, and its research strength is complemented by its extensive community engagement. Distinguished faculty include members of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine, and fellows in a large number of professional associations.
NC State is organized into 10 colleges that offer baccalaureate degrees in more than 110 fields, master’s degrees in over 100 fields, and doctoral degrees in 61. The University has 60+ interdisciplinary research centers across a comprehensive array of disciplines. The University is ranked seventh in industry-funded research and third in total state and local research among national research universities. The continuing growth of research is a high priority.
NC State’s campuses in Raleigh include the Centennial Campus, a visionary academic enterprise and internationally recognized partnership model for university and industry research and collaboration. NC State anchors the Research Triangle region, home to many of the country’s leading Fortune 500 technology, research, and pharmaceutical companies, as well as other fine universities with whom we share uniquely collaborative relationships.
Raleigh and the Community
National rankings consistently rate Raleigh and its surrounding region among the five best places in the country to live and work, with a highly educated workforce, moderate weather, reasonable cost of living, and a welcoming environment. The capitol of North Carolina, Raleigh is situated in the Piedmont section of the state, with the Atlantic Ocean two hours to the east and the Blue Ridge Mountains three hours to the west.
Raleigh is the second-largest city in North Carolina, with more than 380,000 residents. A collaborative, supportive environment for business and innovation and research collaborations with area universities and the Research Triangle Park (RTP) are compelling reasons for relocation to the area.
For More Information, Visit:
- CCMTR: http://www.cvm.ncsu.edu/ccmtr/
- College of Veterinary Medicine: http://www.cvm.ncsu.edu/index.html
- College of Textiles: http://www.tx.ncsu.edu/
- College of Engineering: http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/
- Biomedical Engineering: http://www.bme.ncsu.edu/
- Materials Science and Engineering: http://www.mse.ncsu.edu/
- Industrial and Systems Engineering: http://www.ise.ncsu.edu/
- NC State University: www.ncsu.edu
- NC State’s strategic plan: http://info.ncsu.edu/strategic-planning/
NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability. In addition, NC State University welcomes all persons without regard to sexual orientation. We welcome the opportunity to work with candidates to identify suitable employment opportunities for spouses or partners.