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University of Utah

Vice-Chair for Vision Research

🇺🇸 Salt Lake City, UT

🕑 Full-Time

💰 TBD

💻 Research

🗓️ September 25th, 2025

Edtech.com's Summary

University of Utah is hiring a Vice-Chair for Vision Research. The role involves providing leadership in shaping research strategy, fostering collaborative research environments, mentoring faculty, and expanding the research community within the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. The position requires working closely with institutional leadership to support and grow vision science research efforts.

Highlights
  • Lead research strategy development and foster collaboration in vision research.
  • Mentor investigators to achieve grant funding and academic promotion.
  • Oversee a research community including 31 faculty members with significant NIH funding.
  • Manage and expand approximately 100,000 square feet of dedicated laboratory space.
  • Require PhD and/or MD degree with leadership experience in research initiatives.
  • Proven success in grant acquisition and peer-reviewed publications.
  • Experience running a research laboratory and mentoring faculty and staff.
  • Participate in university and professional administrative committees and societies.
  • Faculty rank is Associate or Full Professor, tenure track.
  • The Moran Eye Center has resources such as an on-site vivarium, P30 core grant, and T32 training grant.

Vice-Chair for Vision Research Full Description

Vice-Chair for Vision Research
Posting Details
The University of Utah, an AA/EO employer, encourages applications from all qualified individuals, and provides reasonable accommodation to the known disabilities of applicants and employees. The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students, staff, faculty and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education, employment opportunities, and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented groups.
 Position Information 
Position/Rank  | Associate Professor or Professor commensurate w/experience
Department  | 00870 - Ophthalmology-Research
City  | Salt Lake City, UT
Track  | Tenure Track
New Position to Begin  | upon availability
Details  | Job Summary:The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Utah’s John A. Moran Eye Center is seeking a visionary and service-oriented leader to serve as Vice Chair for Vision Research. This tenure-track position will be at the Associate or Full Professor level (commensurate with experience).

We are looking for a candidate with demonstrated leadership in shaping research strategy, fostering collaborative environments, and mentoring investigators toward successful grant funding and academic promotion. The ideal candidate will have a strong record of sustained NIH, industry, or foundation support and a passion for enabling the success of others. This is a unique opportunity to lead the next chapter of the Moran Eye Center’s research mission—building on a strong foundation to elevate our impact in vision science. The successful candidate will work closely with departmental leadership to expand and support a thriving research community, recruit top-tier talent, and align research efforts with institutional priorities. The Moran Eye Center has ~100,000 dedicated laboratory space with 31 basic science and translational research faculty, 21 NIH R01s, an on-site vivarium, a P30 core grant, and a T32 training grant, with ample resources and room to grow and collaborate.

Qualifications:Applicants must have a PhD &/or MD degree. Successful candidates will have experience in leading research initiatives. Proven track record obtaining grant funding, publishing in peer-reviewed journals. Experience running a research laboratory, mentoring/teaching faculty & staff. And experience participating in university and professional administrative societies and committees.

Essential Functions:Applicants should include the following items to Julee LaMothe through the University of Utah job site: https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/189216.1) CV2) Statement of research Interests and funding goals3) Two-three representative scholarly papers4) Names & contact info for Letters of Recommendation from 3 people at or above your rank (These people should be outside the University of Utah.)
All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Values and Culture
The University of Utah Health (U of U Health) is a patient focused center distinguished by collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. The U of U Health values candidates who are committed to fostering and furthering the culture of compassion, collaboration, innovation, accountability, acceptance, integrity, quality, and trust that is integral to our mission.

The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (OEO/AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/
Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu
EEO/Non-Discrimination Information  | All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities. The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (OEO/AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at:
https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/
Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu
Notice  | The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules. This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen and immunizations. https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
Special Instructions for Candidates  |
Open Date  | 09/23/2025
Close Date  |
Open Until Filled  | Yes
Requisition Number  | PRN03913F
Type  | Faculty
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
  1.  One measure of faculty diversity at the School of Medicine is the proportion of faculty members who come from a rural background. Did you graduate high school from a town with less than 10,000 persons? 
    • Yes
    • No
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Curriculum Vitae
  2. Research Statement
  3. Example of Research 1
  4. Example of Research 2
  5. List of References
Optional Documents
  1. Cover Letter
  2. Letter of Recommendation 1
  3. Letter of Recommendation 2
  4. Letter of Recommendation 3
  5. Example of Research 3
  6. Example of Research 4
 University Human Resource Management 
 250 East 200 South, Suite 125 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
 Contact us: (801) 581-2169 By Email: employment@utah.edu 

 
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