The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine (UAB Heersink SOM) is currently seeking an energetic and innovative leader to serve as the Director of the UAB Diagnostic Molecular Virology Laboratory. Established in the 1970s and administratively located within the UAB Department of Pediatrics, the UAB Diagnostic Molecular Virology Laboratory has a rich tradition of diagnostic assay development in the provision of molecular diagnostic services to pediatric and adult patients across the region. In the 1990s, the laboratory was the first to validate polymerase chain reaction detection of herpes simplex virus DNA from cerebrospinal fluid of patients suffering herpes encephalitis. Its support of both clinical and research services at UAB provides a robust biorepository of specimens that drive numerous basic and clinical research programs within the UAB Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases.

The successful candidate will lead the UAB Diagnostic Molecular Virology Laboratory at a particularly exciting time of expansion and partnership. In collaboration with Southern Research (https://southernresearch.org/), UAB is in the process of establishing the Genomic Diagnostics Laboratory (GDL) to consolidate molecular diagnostic services from across the university in the fields of cancer, genetics, and infectious diseases. With significant investment from this partnership, the GDL will aggressively market these services across the Southeast and eventually beyond. The Diagnostic Molecular Virology Laboratory will merge with the GDL to provide the virology expertise and services for the new entity, and the Director of the Diagnostic Molecular Virology Laboratory will lead the virology efforts of the GDL. In this role, she or he will identify and develop new molecular diagnostic assays, and will work with the marketing arm of the GDL to publicize this expanding test menu.

The successful candidate will have an innovative and entrepreneurial view of the role of molecular microbiology in the 21st century care of patients. She or he will report initially to the Co-Directors of the UAB Pediatric Infectious Diseases Division, who in turn report to the Chair of the Department of Pediatrics. Once the merger with the GDL is complete, she or he will report to the GDL Medical Director.

The successful candidate will have a doctoral degree (M.D., D.O., and/or Ph.D.) and be board-certified or board-eligible in Medical Microbiology by the American Board of Medical Microbiology. Expertise in virology or molecular diagnostics, including next generation sequencing, is particularly sought. Candidates should have a demonstrated record of academic achievement through independent or collaborative research and scholarly publications, and have an interest in pursuing academic activities. Experience with clinical/translational research and contribution to national professional committees is beneficial.

The UAB Heersink SOM* is a multi-campus medical school with its main campus in Birmingham and three regional campuses in Huntsville, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa. With more than 1,700 full-time faculty and almost 2,000 medical and graduate students, the Heersink SOM ranks 8th in NIH funding among public institutions, and 21st nationally among all institutions. Three departments within the Heersink SOM are ranked in the top 10 for NIH funding in 2021 (Dermatology, #2; Microbiology, #9; and Biomedical Engineering, #10), and the Department of Pediatrics is ranked #17 nationally. In terms of NIAID funding, the Heersink SOM ranks #10 nationally.

UAB currently is experiencing major and sustained investment and growth, due to both its exceptional research faculty and its culture of collaboration. UAB, through concerted and strategic investments in its clinical and research enterprise, has undergone an amazing transformation in the past five years and has strengthened its status and reputation as a leader in medical training, biomedical discovery, innovation, and patient care.

In 2021, UAB was named the Best Large Employer by Forbes, and is ranked #4 for diversity. Driven by an intensely collaborative and entrepreneurial character, UAB is one of the leading economic engines of the State, with a nearly $4 billion budget and a statewide economic impact exceeding $7 billion annually. UAB is Alabama's largest employer with more than 23,000 employees; it supports more than 64,000 jobs statewide. UAB received nearly $849 million in research grants and extramural awards for the 12-month period ending Sept. 30, 2021.

UAB Heersink SOM is located in Birmingham, Alabama.** Relocation to the Birmingham area is required for this role.

UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and family-friendly environment in which all faculty and staff can excel and achieve work/life balance irrespective of, race, national origin, age, genetic or family medical history, gender, faith, gender identity and expression as well as sexual orientation. UAB also encourages applications from individuals with disabilities and veterans.

MD, PhD, DO, MD/PhD

A pre-employment background check investigation is performed on candidates selected for employment.