Through a multi-year NIH Faculty Institutional Recruitment for Sustainable Transformation (FIRST) Cohort program grant, The University of Maryland FIRST Program was established to create an environment conducive to supporting highly effective biomedical researchers. In close partnership, both University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) and University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) are committed to establishing a home for inclusive excellence. A diverse group of faculty, including those who are interested in the advancement of underrepresented faculty in biomedical research, will be hired in cohorts of 2-3 until the positions are filled. Faculty hires will be provided with competitive salary, generous startup packages, and ample laboratory space. UM FIRST faculty will also receive both individual and group-based inter-institutional support including mentoring, career advocacy, and guidance within the research enterprise.
These new faculty will be hired into broadly themed areas of cancer biology, neuroscience, and microbiology/immunology/vaccinology/infectious diseases, which are areas of significant strength at both institutions.
Through this joint program, UMSOM and UMBC will hire a diverse cohort of at least 10 early-career scientists into tenure-track assistant professor positions. UM FIRST will recruit candidates whose research interests align with various departments, institutes, and centers that have demonstrated validated organizational readiness to promote the advancement of early-career faculty. We anticipate hiring the first two cohorts (3-5 positions) in 2023-2024 and the final two cohorts in 2024-2025.
The UM FIRST Program aims to foster inclusive excellence and provide a supportive environment to establish and grow a community and promote individuals who:
successfully compete for federal research funding
develop a vibrant and independent research program
meet the criteria for NIH-defined Early Stage Investigators
have a strong commitment to diversity
UM FIRST faculty will be provided a comprehensive support infrastructure including sponsors, mentors, career coaches, institutional research navigators, targeted instruction for grant-writing, and professional development opportunities to help them mitigate the difficulties often experienced by early career faculty and accelerate the development of their research careers.
Qualifications
All qualified individuals with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion are welcome to apply. Because evidence suggests that participation in the field of biomedical research by historically marginalized groups can help to alleviate existing healthcare disparities, we encourage applications from a broad range of applicants with backgrounds and life experiences that are underrepresented in biomedical research, including but not limited to underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities and persons from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.
Please plan to provide a cover letter, your current CV, and a statement describing your how your background or life experiences will help to advance under-represented and marginalized groups in biomedical research.
UMBC and University of Maryland School of Medicine are running a joint search for these positions. Please apply here. Applicants will have the ability to indicate location preference.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and educational institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, marital status, or protected veteran's status to recruit, hire, compensate, train, and promote employees and applicants for employment in all job levels with regard to their qualifications and without consideration to the aforementioned categories. Exceptions to this policy will be made only as allowed by law; for example, due to bona fide occupational qualifications or lack of reasonable accommodations for disabilities. See more...
The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (“University” or “UMBC”) values safety, cultural and ethnic diversity, social responsibility, lifelong learning, equity, and civic engagement. Consistent with these principles, the University does not discriminate and prohibits harassment with respect to access to its educational programs and activities or with respect to employment terms and conditions on the basis of an individual’s race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, ancestry, age, gender identity or expression, national origin, veterans status, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or genetic information. See more...
Screening of Applications Begins:
Open Until Filled
About UMBC:
UMBC, an honors university serving more than 14,000 undergraduates and 2,000 graduate students, is one of two public universities in Maryland to achieve the “doctoral/research university-extensive” Carnegie classification. Located just outside Baltimore and 45 minutes from Washington, DC, the campus is growing rapidly under dynamic leadership.
Our UMBC community redefines excellence in higher education through an inclusive culture that connects innovative teaching and learning, research across disciplines, and civic engagement. We will advance knowledge, economic prosperity, and social justice by welcoming and inspiring inquisitive minds from all backgrounds. The successful candidate will join a department with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence, and will be expected to contribute actively to these efforts (https://diversity.umbc.edu/).
Equal Opportunity Statement:
UMBC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications from women, minority group members, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 410-455-2337 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
UMBC is a dynamic public research university integrating teaching, research and service to benefit the citizens of Maryland. As an Honors University, the campus offers academically talented students a strong undergraduate liberal arts foundation that prepares them for graduate and professional study, entry into the workforce, and community service and leadership. UMBC emphasizes science, engineering, information technology, human services and public policy at the graduate level. UMBC contributes to the economic development of the State and the region through entrepreneurial initiatives, workforce training, K-16 partnerships, and technology commercialization in collaboration with public agencies and the corporate community. UMBC is dedicated to cultural and ethnic diversity, social responsibility and lifelong learning.
