Susan and Dowd RitterResearch to Prevent Blindness Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology Associate Professor Professor

Job Description
The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at UAB Callahan Eye Heersink School of Medicine University of Alabama at Birmingham ( UAB ) is inviting applications for a highly successful research-intensive faculty member to join our team. This individual will hold the Susan and Dowd Ritter/Research to Prevent Blindness Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology. Applications will be considered for the rank of Associate Professor or Professor and tenure-track or tenured based on qualifications and experience. The Department welcomes applicants with an established track record and significant research accomplishments in areas of vision research that may complement and/or expand the research interests of the Department. Successful applicants are expected to run an internationally-recognized externally-funded research program and have demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to develop a strong multidisciplinary and collaborative research environment. UAB possesses a thriving and well-funded vision science research environment which includes an NIH P30 core grant. The interdisciplinary research team of the Department is currently composed of scientists clinician scientists biologists endocrinologists engineers optometrists focusing their research activities towards understanding the pathogenesis of and improving treatment for age-related macular degeneration diabetic retinopathy glaucoma myopia and low vision among others. The department boasts a range of strengths in basic translational and clinical research including: cell replacement therapy gene therapy retinal imaging retinal structure/function stem cell biology angiogenesis cell signaling biomechanics improving the outcomes of eye care for diverse populations and proximity to one of the largest eye banks in the US. Excellent opportunity to obtain students from the graduate school 2023 the Department was awarded more than $10 million in total research funding. More detailed information about the Department can be found at . 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 $12.1 billion annually. UAB is Alabamas largest employer with nearly 28000 employees and one in every 20 jobs within the state of Alabama is either held directly by a UAB employee or is supported as a result of UABs presence. With nearly 1700 faculty and almost 1200 medical and graduate students the UAB Heersink School of Medicine ranks 26th nationally in federal research funding and in the top 15 for all public institutions. Total research expenditures at UAB exceeded $715 million in 2022. Birmingham is a friendly diverse and welcoming urban center nestled at the base of the Appalachian Mountains. The area has undergone a cultural revolution and community invigoration and is brimming with entertainment arts nightlife outdoor recreation sports and world-class cuisine. Birmingham has its own airport with daily direct connections to 26 airports and 23 cities. Located in the heart of the Southeast Birmingham is easily accessible to Atlanta Nashville Chattanooga New Orleans Memphis and lovely beach communities along the gulf coast. With its picturesque surroundings Birmingham has been recognized as an All American City one of the top ten American cities to live and work and one of the top ten entrepreneurial and job growth hot spots in America. The combination of pleasant weather geography diverse culture activities and lifestyle make this city a wonderful place to live raise a family and pursue a career in academic research and medicine. The Department has nearly 50 full- and part-time clinical and research faculty and is based in the freestanding Callahan Eye Hospital part of the UAB Health System. UAB Callahan Eye Hospital has 16 operating rooms performing 15000 surgeries annually and operates an expanded network of more than 20 satellite clinics across Central Alabama responsible for 144000 ophthalmology clinic visits. Callahan Eye is the only eye specialty hospital in Alabama and one of the few facilities in the world dedicated to advancements in ophthalmology. As such the hospital is a key service of the UAB Health System and operates the teaching programs for the Department of Ophthalmology. Callahan Eye is also home to a 24-hour eye emergency department and is the only Level I Ocular Trauma Center in the region. Rank and salary will be competitive and commensurate with training and experience. UAB provides a competitive and comprehensive suite of health and retirement benefits including health insurance flexible spending accounts retirement plans life insurance and educational assistance for employees and families.

Required Qualifications
The Department welcomes applicants with an established track record and significant research accomplishments in areas of vision research that may complement and/or expand the research interests of the Department. Successful applicants are expected to run an internationally-recognized externally-funded research program and have demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to develop a strong multidisciplinary and collaborative research environment