Assistant/Associate Professor of Infectious Disease

build on core strengths in the department and the school and intersect and complement departmental themes on both infectious disease and global health using innovative and multidisciplinary approaches. These approaches include but are not limited to biochemical, microbiological, immunological, computational, and modeling to investigate molecular, cellular, epidemiological, and/or organismal topics in high-priority pathogens and/or develop better prevention and treatment.

Specifically, this position will be responsible for catalyzing new research in virology and viral disease, particularly zoonotic disease and/or disease of high priority to veterinary medicine. We are seeking an individual that has expertise in the development and use of culture-based model systems. The last several years have produced significant advances in cell and tissue culture systems, including multicellular culture, organoid systems, and higher order culture techniques. This position will leverage the current capabilities and facilities for BSL-3 containment work and these new technologies for insight into infection and immunity, a new University wide initiative.

The successful candidate will promote a team approach through their scientific research, teaching, and service as part of a strong faculty whose research interests span bacterial, viral, and parasite science and medicine in both animals and humans. Tufts University is home to a variety of strong core facilities and specialized shared resources that are available for infectious disease research at Cummings School. These include the New England Regional Biosafety Laboratory - a BSL-3 biocontainment research space (https://vet.tufts.edu/tufts-new-england-regional-biosafety-laboratory), flow cytometry, and a recently established Comparative Pathology and Genomics Shared Resource (https://vet.tufts.edu/comparative-pathology-genomics-shared-resource). An active clinical hospital and diagnostic lab provide additional opportunity for material samples and project collaboration. Tufts University is home to the School of Medicine, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, School of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering, and the Freidman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. The University and Cummings School are located in proximity to a rich biomedical and infectious disease academic research and industry environment.

The successful candidate is expected to establish an extramurally funded research program centered around basic and translational science. The successful applicant should have interest in mentoring and training graduate, professional and postdoctoral students at Cummings School as an integral part of their research program. Teaching in the professional and graduate training programs of Cummings School in areas of expertise will be expected.

Qualifications: A PhD or equivalent doctoral degree and record of productive research and grant writing skill is required in addition to a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with other scientists. A veterinary degree (DVM or equivalent) is considered an asset. The ideal candidate will have interest and experience in teaching and graduate training. Salary and academic rank will be commensurate with experience and productivity and includes a generous benefits package. We offer start-up support and a highly collaborative environment offering opportunities for both basic and translational research.

Application Procedure:

Application review will begin November 1, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. A July 1, 2027 start date is preferred, but is negotiable. Candidates should submit a curriculum vitae, a cover letter, a statement of research interest, and the name and contact information of three references. In the cover letter, please describe your qualifications, research and scholarly interests, reasons for applying for the position and your strengths and experiences in creating an inclusive environment as it relates to teaching, research, clinical activity (if applicable), and/or academic service. Statements of research interest should be limited to 2 pages and articulate key scientific questions, succinctly convey their importance to the field and to the broader community, and relay innovative ideas and approaches that promise to advance the challenging questions posed.

Application materials should be submitted electronically through Interfolio (https://apply.interfolio.com/195568). Please direct any questions to department chair Dr. Jonathan Runstadler at jonathan.runstadler@tufts.edu.

Cummings School is situated in Grafton, MA on a 600-acre pastoral campus, forty-five minutes west of Boston and next door to Worcester, the second largest city in Massachusetts. A virtual tour of the campus is available here. There is a regional rail service stop adjacent to campus and easy access to cultural and sporting events. The campus is a short drive from beautiful beaches, mountains, and other unique features of New England. The area is a hub of biotechnology and higher education. The K-12 education system is excellent. Housing is readily available close to campus or in any number of surrounding towns. Links to faculty policies and procedures and human resources benefits can be found here.

Tufts University, founded in 1852, prioritizes quality teaching, highly competitive basic and applied research, and a commitment to active citizenship locally, regionally, and globally. Tufts University has also committed to becoming an anti-racist institution and prides itself on the continuous improvement of diversity, equity and inclusion work. Current and prospective employees of the university are expected to have and continuously develop skill in, and disposition for, positively engaging with a diverse population of faculty, staff, and students.

Tufts University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. See the University's Non-Discrimination statement and policy here https://oeo.tufts.edu/policies-procedures/non-discrimination/. If you are an applicant with a disability who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, please contact us by calling the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) at 617-627-3298 or at oeo@tufts.edu. Applicants can learn more about requesting reasonable accommodations at https://oeo.tufts.edu/