Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine (XOCOM) seeks a research-intensive faculty member with expertise in microbiology and infectious diseases to join its founding biomedical sciences faculty. This position is a tenure or tenure-track appointment, contingent upon the availability of extramural research funding, and carries a distribution of effort of approximately 60% research, 30% teaching, and 10% service. The successful candidate will lead an established infectious disease translational research laboratory, develop and sustain a productive, externally funded research program, and contribute to microbiology education within the undergraduate medical curriculum. The position offers a unique opportunity to conduct clinically relevant, translational microbiology research within a mission-driven academic medical environment.
About XOCOMXavier Ochsner College of Medicine represents a historic partnership between Xavier University of Louisiana, a national leader in educating underrepresented students in the sciences and medicine, and Ochsner Health, Louisiana's largest academic health system. XOCOM is committed to excellence in research, education, and service and to advancing health equity through scholarship, innovation, and inclusive medical education.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Research (≈60%)Provide scientific leadership and oversight of an established infectious disease translational research laboratory, including strategic planning, personnel supervision, and program development
Maintain an existing bank of 37,000 clinical bacterial and yeast isolates collected from 1999 to present, including 21,000 sourced from positive blood cultures, including some multi-drug resistant strains
Develop, maintain, and expand an independent, externally funded research program in microbiology or infectious diseases
Write and submit competitive extramural grant applications (e.g., NIH, NSF, CDC, foundations) sufficient to support a significant portion of the PI's salary and research program expenses
Conduct original, high-quality translational research and disseminate findings through peer-reviewed publications and national/international scientific meetings
Oversee research involving clinical bacterial and fungal isolates and related translational microbiology methodologies
Ensure compliance with all applicable research regulations, biosafety standards, and institutional policies including maintenance of College of American Pathologists (CAP) accreditation and CLIA certification
Supervise and mentor laboratory personnel, including research staff and trainees
Teaching (≈30%)Serve as contributing faculty in microbiology and related biomedical sciences teaching sessions within the medical curriculum
Deliver lectures, small-group facilitation, and other instructional activities aligned with institutional teaching needs
Participate in assessment development and evaluation related to microbiology content
Mentor medical students and trainees with interests in microbiology, infectious diseases, or research careers
Service (≈10%)Participate in departmental, college, or university service activities as appropriate to rank
Contribute to committees, working groups, or governance bodies in support of XOCOM's academic mission
Engage in professional service consistent with a research-intensive tenure or tenure-track appointment