The University of Rochester Medical Center recently launched a cohort recruiting effort in three strong, well-integrated areas at URMC: Immunology, Infectious Disease and Microbiology. Although this effort is currently on hold for COVID-related reasons, the descriptions below indicate how this program was designed, and indicate how we hope that it will be reinstated in the near future.
The University of Rochester Medical Center has launched a cohort recruiting effort in three strong, well-integrated areas at URMC: Immunology, Infectious Disease and Microbiology. We are now making a major commitment to further strengthen this research area by recruiting 3-4 new tenure-track faculty members. Five research entities at URMC have joined forces for this initiative, underscoring the importance of this recruiting effort.
We are convinced that the cohort recruiting model will communicate our energy and enthusiasm in these research areas, and bring new recruits more quickly into our culture of collaboration and support. The NIH FIRST Program (RFA-RM-21-025) also articulates the advantages of cohort recruiting for “implementing and sustaining cultures of inclusive excellence”. More diverse scientific teams generate findings with greater impact and novelty (1-6).
This website is intended to provide easy access to information about current research in these areas; our strategies for bringing new recruits into a supportive environment that enhances their success; and information about the URMC, Rochester, and Finger Lakes environments.
During the cohort recruiting process, applicants will be screened and interviewed by the overall Cohort Recruiting Committee, and leading applicants will be invited to visit for research presentations and discussions. During these discussions, the best fit of the candidate with a particular Department/Center/Division should emerge, and the final offers will be made by the appropriate stakeholder.
Successful applicants will receive support with relocation and integration into URMC and Rochester. We will provide information regarding neighborhoods, schools, professional affinity groups, community groups, churches, cultural activities, etc., and also inclusive life resources such as realtors, physicians, childcare services, physical fitness. Our goal is to help each faculty recruit personalize their community building to meet their unique needs and those of their partners/families.
The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC, Rochester, NY) is recruiting multiple tenure-track faculty members to complement current strong research programs in the integrated area of Immunology, Infectious Disease, and Microbiology. This cohort recruiting initiative is a collaborative effort of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology; the Division of Infectious Diseases (Department of Medicine); the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (Department of Pediatrics); the David H. Smith Center for Vaccine Biology and Immunology; and the Translational Immunology and Infectious Diseases Institute. We anticipate hiring a cohort of 3-4 outstanding researchers to establish innovative research programs within these areas.
The areas of Immunology, Infectious Disease, and Microbiology is traditionally strong at URMC, with many successful collaborations already established. This is a major plank of the URMC Strategic Plan, and we are committed to further strengthening this critically important research area. We are pursuing a cohort recruiting approach to foster inclusive excellence, enhance collegiality and encourage a sense of community between the recruits and the broader URMC research effort. Recruitment of multiple researchers also emphasizes the strong institutional commitment to this important research area.
URMC has a strong culture of vigorous discussion which fosters a culture of critical thinking and constructive collaboration, and welcomes a diversity of thought and approach from researchers with different experiences. Our interactive culture also includes a tradition of productive partnerships between basic and clinical researchers, including excellent access to well-defined patient populations.
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology is focused on research and education related to microbial pathogens and host-pathogen interactions; the Division of Infectious Diseases and Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases both have longstanding interest in clinical and translational research to define the burden of infections in adults and children and in developing vaccines and treatments related to a variety of pathogens, with specific expertise in respiratory pathogens and HIV; the Center for Vaccine Biology and Immunology strives to be a center of outstanding basic immunology research, conducting innovative and rigorous research into fundamental mechanisms of immunity; and the Translational Immunology and Infectious Diseases Institute fosters multidisciplinary team-science approaches to develop knowledge-based interventions in immunology and infectious disease.
Areas of potential research focus include, but are not limited to, innate immune responses; high-resolution, dynamic analysis of immune responses to natural infection and vaccines; advanced data analytics; immune interactions with the microbiome; bacterial pathogenesis; ESKAPE pathogens, and the development and evaluation of new antibiotics and vaccines. Basic, translational and clinical researchers are all welcome to apply. We encourage applications from historically underrepresented groups, as well as applicants with unconventional career tracks.
We seek energetic and creative scientists and clinician-scientists to join this highly collaborative and multidisciplinary research community. Qualified candidates should have a successful research background in a relevant discipline, and a PhD, MD or equivalent degree. Candidates with a strong record of accomplishments should apply by submitting a single PDF containing a cover letter; curriculum vitae; contact information for 3 references; statement of current research and future plans; and a statement on diversity and inclusion to: Tim_Mosmann@URMC.Rochester.edu.
The University of Rochester is committed to fostering and supporting a workplace culture inclusive of people regardless of their race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, marital status, age, physical abilities, political affiliation, religious beliefs or any other non-merit fact, so that all employees feel included, equally valued and supported. The University of Rochester is responsive to the needs of Dual Career Couples/ EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled.