Description
Chair of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (BMB)
McGovern Medical School – UTHealth Houston
The Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (BMB) at McGovern Medical School, a part of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston), is seeking an accomplished investigator and leader to serve as its next Chair. This is an exceptional opportunity for a world-class scientist to lead a basic science department at the Texas Medical Center. Investigators with an outstanding track record of funded research in membrane biology, structural biology, gene regulation, molecular signaling, or systems of biology are encouraged to apply. Research of BMB faculty ranges from studies of fundamental biochemical and molecular processes in cellular systems to mouse models of disease and intervention. For further details, see: https://med.uth.edu/bmb/.
Since the department’s infancy, BMB has cultivated a strong reputation in an exceptional environment for advancing molecular and translational research. The Chair will benefit from an outstanding research infrastructure, access to collaborative opportunities across the Texas Medical Center, and a strong institutional commitment to academic excellence, mentorship, and career development. Comprising over 100 FTE’s, the department currently has 31 faculty members (10 full, 7 associate, 12 assistant professors, and 2 instructors) with 21 independent principal investigators. BMB has a robust track record of securing significant grants from NIH, Welch, and the American Heart Association. This success is reflected in the substantial $10.7 million in grant funds awarded to the faculty during fiscal year 2025. In addition, BMB faculty actively contribute to the institution’s educational mission through several capacities, including teaching medical students and graduate students and mentoring postdoctoral research fellows.
The BMB Department houses multiple Centers of Excellence, such as those focused on Structural Biology Imaging, Membrane Biology, and Pulmonary Research. The BMB faculty are also members of the UT MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in Houston. UTHealth Houston is a major institution within the Texas Medical Center. This world-renowned biomedical complex includes UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas A&M College of Medicine, Rice University, and more than 40 other institutions. Faculty members in the BMB department have excellent access to state-of-the-art facilities and a large pool of outstanding local colleagues, all within walking distance.
Requirements
Potential candidates for the Chair of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology position should hold a Ph.D. in cell biology, structural biology, genetics, immunology or a related field. Excellent faculty mentoring experience, prior academic leadership experience and credentials to allow appointment as a senior-level faculty member are required. Prior experience teaching graduate level programs and/or medical students is desired. The ideal candidate will have a high level of emotional intelligence, superb written and verbal communication skills and the ability to invoke a spirit of collaboration to continue to propel the department forward on achieving its mission and goals.
To learn more about the opportunity or nominate a colleague, please request a copy of the detailed position profile by contacting the search committee co-chairs: Carmen Dessauer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, and Kevin Morano, Ph.D., Professor, Microbiology & Molecular Genetics and Sr. Vice President for Academic and Faculty Affairs through UTHealth Houston’s Office of Executive Recruitment at ChairBMB@uth.tmc.edu or by phone at 713-500-3166. For full consideration, please include a CV, cover letter, and statement of research.
Please apply directly to: https://careers.uth.tmc.edu/us/en/job/2500028R/Chair-Biochemistry-and-Molecular-Biology
UTHealth Houston is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment-related activities without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law or University policy. Reasonable accommodation, based on disability or religious observances, will be considered in accordance with applicable law and UTHealth Houston policy.
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Established in 1972 by The University of Texas System Board of Regents, UTHealth Houston is Houston’s health university and Texas’ resource for health care education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. The most comprehensive academic health center in the UT System and the U.S. Gulf Coast region, UTHealth Houston is home to the John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Medical School, Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing, D. Bradley McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics, the School of Public Health, the School of Dentistry, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and the School of Behavioral Health Sciences. UTHealth Houston’s primary teaching hospitals are Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, and Harris Health Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital.
