Posting Details
Position Information
School/College
College of Arts and Sciences
Title
College of Arts and Sciences-Associate Professor/Professor-Tenured-Protective Life Endowed Chair in Healthy Aging Research-Department of Biology
Assignment Category
Full-Time
Rank
Associate Professor/Professor
Tenure Status
Tenured
Payroll Status
Faculty 9
Job Description
The Department of Biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is seeking candidates for a tenured faculty position to fill the Protective Life Endowed Chair in Healthy Aging Research, beginning Fall 2027. Candidates with expertise in any discipline associated with healthy aging are sought. Highly qualified candidates at the rank of either Associate Professor or Professor will be considered.
Candidates must have a PhD and/or MD in biological sciences or a related field with demonstrated research excellence as evidenced by influential publications and success in competitive extramural funding. We seek candidates who employ innovative and creative approaches to address fundamental questions in geroscience at any level of biological organization, from molecules to populations, using any experimental system or model organism. Theoretical and evolutionary approaches will also be considered. In addition, candidates are required to have an outstanding record of teaching at both graduate and undergraduate levels and in successful mentorship of PhD students. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated productive collaborations within academia, industry, and/or government partners.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) offers a distinguished opportunity for the successful candidate to hold the Protective Life Endowed Chair in Healthy Aging Research, established in 2021 through a generous $1.5 million investment from Protective Life Corporation. The endowed chair reflects a shared commitment to advancing the science of healthy aging and strengthening UAB's leadership in this rapidly evolving field. Established to support innovative research and interdisciplinary collaboration, the endowment provides a foundation for continued discovery into the biological mechanisms of aging and the development of approaches that promote longer, healthier lives. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to build upon this legacy, advancing an ambitious research agenda while collaborating with investigators across UAB's College of Arts and Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, and other schools and research centers. The endowed appointment recognizes scholarly distinction and provides an opportunity to contribute to UAB's growing national and international leadership in aging research.
The application package must include (i) a one-page cover letter, (ii) a curriculum vitae encompassing a list of publications, grants, and other scholarly achievements, (iii) a statement of research, including future research plans (two page limit, not including references), (iv) a statement of teaching experience and philosophy (two page limit), and (v) contact information for at least three professional references - references will not be contacted without prior approval from the candidate.
Review of candidates will begin immediately. Applications received by January 31, 2027, will receive full consideration, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. For more information, please contact the search committee chair, Stephen A. Watts, PhD, at sawatts@uab.edu.
The Department of Biology at UAB is committed to engaging in state-of-the-art research opportunities at all levels of biological organization. Faculty expertise spans molecular and biomedical sciences, biochemistry and physiology, nutrition, microbial sciences, evolutionary biology, ecology, and environmental sciences in terrestrial, aquatic or marine communities. The Department supports excellence in undergraduate and graduate education through high-quality instruction, experiential learning, and student mentorship. We foster a collaborative academic environment that values evidence-based teaching, curriculum innovation, and meaningful student engagement. As part of a leading research university and academic medical center, the Department of Biology offers opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and innovative teaching. Located in UAB's Science & Engineering Complex, the department benefits from modern teaching laboratories, research spaces, and technologies that support hands-on learning and scientific discovery.
Our faculty is dedicated to preparing students for a wide range of careers in the biological and health sciences, education, research, and related professions.
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) is the largest academic unit at UAB, with 19 academic departments, more than 300 full-time faculty, and more than 40 baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degree programs. The College brings together disciplines across the arts and humanities, natural and physical sciences, mathematics, and social and behavioral sciences. Its faculty and students benefit from a vibrant interdisciplinary environment that supports research, scholarship, creative activities, student success, and meaningful community engagement.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a comprehensive R1 research university and academic medical center with a distinctive culture of interdisciplinary collaboration. UAB's integration of academic and health sciences creates exceptional opportunities for research and education spanning basic science, behavioral and social sciences, medicine, public health, and clinical care. As Alabama's largest research institution, UAB has established a national and international reputation for research, education, health care, and service, with a mission that extends throughout Birmingham, the state, and beyond. UAB continues to build momentum as a nationally recognized research institution. In 2026, U.S. News & World Report recognized UAB as the highest-ranked public institution in the Southeast for faculty research performance. UAB was also named to the 2025 Great Colleges to Work for Honor Roll, with recognition in six categories, including job satisfaction and support, faculty and staff well-being, shared governance, and faculty experience.
Required Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
F2967P
Open Date
11/02/2026
Close Date
Open Until Filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
About University of Alabama at Birmingham
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