As part of the new Bridge to Faculty Program at the University of South Carolina, the Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences (DDBS) in the College of Pharmacy (COP) seeks a faculty fellow to begin in Fall 2024. This two-year program is intended to lead to a tenure-track position in the Department. 

In keeping with the University’s commitment to “cultivating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive campus where every individual has the opportunity to flourish and thrive,” the Bridge to Faculty Program is designed to attract and retain promising scholars to the University of South Carolina with an emphasis on outreach to underrepresented early-career scholars. Specifically, the program seeks to recruit early-career scholars who, if successful during the program, will have the opportunity to transition to a tenure-track faculty appointment at USC at the start of the 2026-2027 academic year. As a member of the 2nd cohort of Bridge to Faculty Fellows from across the university, the Fellow will have a home in DDBS alongside a dynamic group of scholars. With the additional support of USC’s Office of Access and Opportunity and Provost’s Office, Faculty Fellows will have access to institutional resources designed to support their readiness for a tenure-track position. 

The Faculty Fellow will be expected to: (1) develop a research focus in biomedical or pharmaceutical sciences that will lead to an independent research program; (2) meet regularly with faculty mentors; (3) participate in professional development opportunities; and (4) participate in the intellectual life of the DDBS and the University. The Fellow will also have the option to acquire mentored lecturing experience in the second year. 

Qualifications: Applicants must have a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences or related biomedical research field completed between July 1, 2019, and the start date of employment, which will be negotiated accordingly. 

We seek candidates who will develop a robust independent research program with interests in drug discovery relevant but not limited to bioinformatics, molecular/ cellular mechanisms and/or in vivo animal models utilized to better understand and treat human disease. We welcome and encourage applications from scholars who contribute to increasing diversity in their fields, as historically underrepresented persons in higher education, and/or by pursing scholarship that deepens understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion as current research strengths in DDBS are in diseases with strong disparities in risks, incidence, and treatment options. 

This is a 12-month research faculty appointment. Upon demonstration of academic productivity, it will be renewed for a second year, and with evidence of continued productivity, it can be converted to a tenure-track faculty position in the third year. Salary is competitive, and the position includes a generous benefits package with access to medical, vision, dental, and life insurance. 

Applicants must apply online at USCJobs at https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/159541. Applications should include: a cover letter; a CV; a statement of research interests; a statement of teaching philosophy; and the names and email addresses of three recommenders, who will be prompted to submit letters of recommendation directly. (If the candidate has not yet defended their dissertation, the letter from the dissertation director should confirm that the PhD will be completed by August 15, 2024). To ensure full consideration, application material must be received by Feb 29, 2024. If you have any questions about the position or the application process, please contact Dr. Lorne Hofseth, Search Committee Chair, hofseth@cop.sc.edu. 

DDBS is a research-intensive, collegial department with strengths in cancer and neuroscience, including translational cancer prevention and therapeutics, pharmacogenomics, drug addiction, mood disorders, and Alzheimer's disease. DDBS faculty from varied disciplines of medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology, and genomics conduct cutting-edge, NIH-funded research in disease mechanisms and drug discovery. Having grown NIH-funding over 70% in the past six years, DDBS hosts collaborative research foci, including the NIH-funded Center for Targeted Therapeutics, with specialized cores in functional genomics, microscopy, flow cytometry, and drug design/synthesis. DDBS provides a highly supportive environment through tailored mentoring of the candidate throughout the postdoctoral and tenure-track faculty career phases. The successful candidate will work with DDBS to develop an independent and competitive research program to successfully launch their research career. 

At the University of South Carolina, we strive to cultivate an inclusive environment that is open, welcoming, and supportive of individuals of all backgrounds. We recognize diversity in our workforce is essential to providing academic excellence and critical to our sustainability. The University is committed to eliminating barriers created by institutional discrimination through accountability and continuous process improvement. We celebrate the diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences of our employees. 

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, ethnicity, familiar status, disability, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, and local laws or regulations.”