Bridge to Faculty Fellowship Program

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience
University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Columbia

Invitation for Faculty Fellow Applications

The University of South Carolina (USC) School of Medicine in Columbia, SC invites applications for an exciting fellowship program designed to attract, support, and retain scholars from historically underrepresented groups. Successful fellows will have the opportunity to directly transition to a tenure track faculty position at USC. Scholars will join a highly successful, collegial, and collaborative neuroscience-focused department at a Carnegie R1 research university that has achieved national prominence in research, education, and community engagement. 

Fellows in the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience (PPN) will have the opportunity to work in collaborative teams focused on numerous research areas, including:

• Metabolic, cardiovascular, biochemical, behavioral, or neuroimmune impacts of stress or metabolic diseases.
• Intersections between cognitive function, emotional learning, and sleep dysregulation with an emphasis on the role of circuit dynamics.
• Vascular brain aging and cognitive decline.

To read more information about potential faculty mentors click here.

Faculty Fellow Application Information

Applicants should have completed a PhD or equivalent terminal degree in a biomedical science related field from an accredited institution by the beginning date of employment. Preferred candidates will have at least 6 months of postdoctoral experience by the beginning date of employment, plus evidence of potential for scholarly productivity, potential for success in extramural research funding, potential for excellence in graduate and medical education, research interests that enhance departmental programs targeting neurobiological disorders, and potential for contributions to enhancing our culture of inclusive excellence. The department welcomes applications from all candidates, including those from underrepresented groups and those interested in mentoring students from diverse backgrounds. Qualified candidates should submit the following:

1) A cover letter describing the applicant’s interest in doing research at USC, potential research mentors, and a summary of relevant qualifications,

2) a curriculum vitae with relevant academic history, publications, presentations, other scholarly works, and funding history,

3) Statement of research plans and professional goals,

4) Statement of teaching interests and experience,

5) Statement sharing how your experiences can help advance the University’s goal of cultivating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive campus including mentoring students (see link for resources to prepare your statement), and

6) Names and contact information for four references. 

Applicants will be required to show evidence of a completed PhD prior to hiring. If you have any questions about the application process or this position, please contact marlene.wilson@uscmed.sc.edu using “Bridge to Faculty Program” in the subject line.

USC Bridge to Faculty Program Overview

Designed to attract, support, and retain scholars from groups historically underrepresented in their departments or fields, the “Bridge to Faculty” program is the University of South Carolina’s newest and most promising initiative. Manifesting the University’s commitment to “cultivating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive campus where every individual has the opportunity to flourish and thrive,” the program seeks to recruit early-career scholars who, if successful, will have the opportunity to transition to a tenure track faculty position at USC.

The Bridge to Faculty Program enables Faculty Fellows to deepen their research expertise, expand their scholarly profiles, and undertake academic work that complements departmental research strengths in studying fundamental mechanisms underlying neurophysiological processes, behavior, or drug action. Scholars will contribute to and expand upon USC’s research prominence in the neural basis and treatment of neuropsychiatric, neurological, and stress-related disorders and strengthen the University’s research community through their unique perspectives. The Bridge to Faculty scholar in the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience will join Faculty Fellows from across the university who will form a dynamic and supportive community of scholars, with access to:

• Professional development preparing the fellow for a full-time tenure-track faculty position
• Training and development in research, pedagogy, and strategic engagement
• Additional mentorship from senior professors and University administrators
• Networking and connection-building with university administration
• Opportunities to engage and practice as an active member of the USC community

To assist the Faculty Fellow in the transition to independence, the department will provide:

• A primary research mentor, plus a mentoring team for transitioning to independence
• Funding for conference travel to present research and enhance professional goals
• Research funding and allocated space for developing an independent research niche.

About the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience
Bridge to Faculty Scholars will join a highly successful, collegial, and collaborative neuroscience-focused department of ~18 faculty at a Carnegie R1 research university that has achieved national prominence in research, education, and community engagement. At USC, we strive to ensure an inclusive environment that is open, welcoming, and supportive of individuals of all backgrounds. We celebrate the diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences of our employees. The successful candidate is expected to complement departmental research strengths in studying fundamental mechanisms underlying neurophysiological processes, behavior, or drug action. Candidates expanding USC’s research prominence in the neural basis and treatment of neuropsychiatric, neurological, and stress-related disorders using preclinical models, genetic or translational approaches are encouraged to apply. For more information about the department including our research programs and potential faculty mentors please visit: http://ppn.med.sc.edu/. Scholars will have access to a core Instrument Resource Facility for imaging and molecular studies, a Functional Genomics Core, a department based Viral Vector Core facility, as well as support through the Research Center for Transforming Health at the USC School of Medicine and research opportunities with the Columbia VA Health Care System.  This position allows for opportunities to collaborate across a broad group of partners, including colleagues in different disciplines, campus research institutes, and community partners including the NIH-funded COBRE Center in Targeted Therapeutics, the NIH-funded COBRE in Dietary Supplements and Inflammation, the USC Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, and the Cardiovascular Translational Research Center.

Expectations and Primary Duties

The Bridge to Faculty Fellow is expected to: 1) develop a robust and innovative program of research striving toward independence, 2) actively participate in the intellectual life of the department and contribute to the existing collaborative and collegial culture, 3) meet regularly with faculty mentors; 4) engage in scholarly activities; 5) develop and submit applications to secure extramural research funding; 6) participate in professional development opportunities, 7) mentor students and train research staff,  and 8) develop collaborations within the department and across the college and institution. The scholar will have access to institutional and departmental resources specifically designed to support their readiness for a tenure-track position, including mentoring and guidance in establishing a research program and scholarly activities, writing grants and securing extramural funding, lab management and supervision, and teaching in the biomedical sciences.  Funding will be provided for conference travel to present research and enhance professional goals, and research funding and allocated space will be provided to assist the fellow in developing an independent research niche. Through support of a mentoring team and advisors, it is anticipated the fellow will develop independent research interests that enhance departmental programs targeting neurobiological disorders, and potential for contributions to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through teaching, mentoring, and outreach activities. The scholar will be expected to develop teaching and mentoring skills through participation in our team-taught biomedical sciences courses for graduate and medical students and supervision of research for undergraduate, graduate, and medical students.  Successful applicants will be eligible for transition to a faculty position in the department at the conclusion of their bridge to faculty fellowship.

Salary and Benefits
The salary is competitive with similar postdoctoral fellowships using federal (NIH) guidelines, and the position includes a generous benefits package including access to medical, vision, dental, and life insurance. Each award is 12 months and may be renewable for one additional year upon demonstration of academic productivity. This position will begin Fall 2023.  The University is committed to addressing the needs of faculty members from different backgrounds and with varying personal circumstances. For USC resources visit our employment website and our multicultural student affairs site.

USC HR Diversity Statement
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 strive to ensure an inclusive environment that is open, welcoming, and supportive of individuals from all backgrounds, and we celebrate the voices, perspectives, and experiences of our employees and students.

USC EEO Statement
USC does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities on the basis of race, sex, gender, gender identity, transgender status, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetics, protected veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.