Research Assistant Professor - Yamada Lab, Surgery

Hiring Department: Surgery

Location:  Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID: 1036383

Posting Close Date: 08/12/2025

Salary:  The budgeted salary range for the position is $43,888 to $63,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, and budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a thorough assessment of these elements. 

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

Benefits eligible positions include a comprehensive benefits package which offers: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability & AD&D insurance; a defined benefit pension plan; paid leaves such as Vacation, Holiday and Sick; tuition waivers for employees and dependents. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

Position Summary

Department of Surgery at the University of Illinois at Chicago is seeking a Research Assistant Professor to join the Yamada Lab.

 
The Research Assistant Professor (Non-Tenure) will be a faculty-level scientist responsible for leading research programs. This position is expected to develop and lead innovative, independent, and externally funded research programs. The research will be conducted in a wet-lab environment, leveraging state-of-the-art molecular, cellular, and in vivo animal models. The position also offers significant opportunities for collaboration with basic, translational, and clinical investigators. The duties are multifaceted, spanning scientific leadership, hands-on research execution, team management, and academic collaboration. Tasks are performed independently within broad guidelines and are periodically reviewed by the Principal Investigator.

Duties & Responsibilities

 1. Scientific Leadership & Research Program Development
Establish and Lead an Independent Research Program: Conceive, design, and direct a robust, and externally fundable research program focused on critical questions in cancer biology.
Secure Extramural Funding: Actively identify funding opportunities and help in writing, submitting, and managing grant proposals to federal agencies (e.g., NIH, DoD, NSF), private foundations, and industry partners.
Strategic Planning and Vision: Develop and articulate a clear long-term scientific vision. Stay current with cutting-edge research and technology to ensure the lab's work remains at the forefront of the field.
2. Laboratory Management & Technical Execution
Scientific Rigor and Oversight: Provide day-to-day scientific oversight of all laboratory activities, ensuring the highest standards of experimental design, data acquisition, data analysis, record-keeping, rigor, and reproducibility.
Lab Operations and Compliance: Ensure the laboratory operates safely and efficiently, adhering to all institutional and federal guidelines for biosafety, chemical safety, and animal welfare (IACUC). Responsible for authoring and maintaining relevant protocols.
3. Mentorship & Team Development
Team Leadership: Help the PI recruit, train, supervise, and mentor a diverse team of research personnel, including postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, research technicians, and undergraduate students.
Career Development: Help provide robust scientific and professional guidance to trainees, fostering their development as independent scientists through hands-on training, regular scientific discussions, and support for their fellowship/grant applications and manuscript writing.
4. Scientific Communication/service
Publication: Drive the preparation and submission of high-quality manuscripts to leading peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Dissemination of Research: Present research findings at major national and international scientific conferences.
Collaboration: Initiate, develop, and maintain effective interdisciplinary collaborations with other scientists and clinical investigators to enrich the research program and tackle complex problems.

Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in cancer biology, molecular biology, or a related field. 
Demonstrated expertise in cancer research, as evidenced by a strong publication record. 
Experience with advanced molecular and cellular biology techniques, along with small animal handling.