Faculty, Medicinal Chemistry/Chemical Biology
University of Virginia | Charlottesville, Virginia
The Department of Chemistry in the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, in collaboration with the Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology at the University of Virginia (UVA), invites applications and nominations for a senior tenured faculty appointment in Medicinal Chemistry or Chemical Biology in the Department of Chemistry. The successful candidate will also serve as Head of Medicinal Chemistry at the Manning Institute.
As a faculty member, the successful candidate will develop and lead an innovative, externally funded experimental research program that bridges synthetic chemistry with biologically relevant problems in areas such as probe development, chemical biology, and drug discovery. As Head of Medicinal Chemistry, the candidate will build medicinal chemistry capacity that supports translational drug discovery across the University. This role carries strategic responsibility beyond the candidate’s own laboratory, including shaping the Institute’s long-term scientific direction, leading faculty and staff recruitment efforts, guiding budget and resource allocation decisions, and setting strategic priorities across the Manning Institute’s portfolio of biotechnology programs and investments.
This appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the University as it advances one of the most ambitious life sciences initiatives in its history. Through the Manning Institute, UVA is making a significant institutional investment to accelerate drug discovery, translational science, and biotechnology innovation across the University and the Commonwealth of Virginia. As one of the inaugural senior hires in this effort, the successful candidate will connect Chemistry’s strengths in molecular discovery and synthesis with a growing university-wide ecosystem in translational science and human health.
The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative research environment that spans chemistry, biology, medicine, and data science, engaging colleagues across the Manning Institute, UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, and other relevant areas of the University. These connections will provide a strong foundation for building an ambitious research program that brings together fundamental chemistry, disease biology, and therapeutic discovery, with opportunities to extend promising discoveries toward broader translational impact. This senior faculty member will contribute to UVA’s undergraduate and graduate educational mission and play a key role in mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to help shape new educational and training opportunities that connect graduate education with the Manning Institute's biotechnology and translational research mission.
Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Chemistry or a closely related field and demonstrate a record of, or strong potential for, excellence in experimental research. The successful candidate will operate effectively in a highly matrixed organization and bring expertise in research that bridges synthetic chemistry with biologically relevant problems, including areas such as small-molecule probe development, chemical biology, or drug discovery. The Department of Chemistry is particularly interested in candidates whose work integrates modern synthetic approaches with mechanistic insight into disease-relevant biology. Beyond scientific excellence, UVA seeks a collaborative and entrepreneurial scholar with experience advancing research towards translational application, commercialization, and other forms of real-world impact. Appointment rank is open and will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.
Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent below.
Micah Pierce is leading this search with Damla Williams and Marlyn Desire.
The University of Virginia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and welcomes applications from women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities.
