DescriptionThe Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine invites applications for the Head of Radiation Biology, a senior faculty position at the rank of Associate or Full Professor without tenure by reason of funding (WOT) with an anticipated start date of July 2027, or earlier by mutual agreement. We seek applicants who demonstrate commitment to excellence in research, teaching, and service in a diverse and inclusive academic community. The successful candidate will join our faculty on a full-time basis for a twelve-month appointment. Faculty with 12-month service periods are paid for 11 months of service over a 12-month period (July-June), meaning the equivalent of one month is available for paid time off.
This position will lead the Department's radiation biology research enterprise by maintaining a distinguished record of scientific innovation and sustained external funding. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of radiation oncology research and build one of the nation's premier academic radiation biology programs within one of the world's top comprehensive cancer research environments. The successful candidate will play a vital role in shaping the Department's long-term scientific vision and expanding its impact on cancer research and patient care.
The successful candidate will provide strategic and scientific leadership for a research program spanning foundational discovery, preclinical investigation, and clinical translation. This position will lead and perform research that advances precision radiation oncology through innovative investigation of radiation biology, including radiation-immune interactions, the tumor microenvironment, hypoxia, redox biology, radiopharmaceutical therapy, DNA damage and repair, biomarker development, and emerging modalities such as FLASH radiotherapy.
The Head of Radiation Biology will forge multidisciplinary collaborations across the University of Washington, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle Children's Research Institute, and other regional partners; advance scientific discovery; mentor the next generation of investigators; recruit outstanding faculty and trainees; and strengthen the Department's national and international reputation.
The successful candidate will be expected to maintain a highly impactful, externally funded research program; cultivate collaborative and programmatic research initiatives; contribute to graduate and medical education; and mentor faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and physician-scientists. The Department is committed to excellence in research, education, patient care, and service while fostering an inclusive academic community where faculty, trainees, and staff can thrive.
The base salary ranges for this position will be: Associate Professor range $17,500 - $23,730 per month ($210,000 - $284,760 annually) and Professor range $20,125 - $27,917 per month ($241,500 - $335,004 annually) commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination. Additional administrative responsibilities may be offered to a specific candidate with appropriate experience and qualifications which may result in an administrative duty supplement (ADS).
The selected candidate will be proposed for appointment to the full-time faculty at the University of Washington as an Associate or Full Professor WOT. Associate and full professors WOT hold indefinite appointments that align with a 12-month service period (July 1-June 30). Faculty with 12-month service periods are paid for 11 months of service over a 12-month period (July-June), meaning the equivalent of one month is available for paid time off. Appointment rank will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.
All University of Washington faculty are expected to engage in teaching, research, and service.
Leadership Responsibilities- Provide strategic and scientific leadership for the Department's radiation biology research program.
- Lead a highly impactful, externally funded research program that advances the field of radiation biology.
- Expand multidisciplinary translational research and collaborations across UW Medicine and Fred Hutch Cancer Center.
- Mentor faculty, trainees, and research staff while supporting the continued growth of the Department's research enterprise.
Research EnvironmentThe Department offers an exceptional collaborative research environment dedicated to advancing the biological understanding of radiation response and translating discoveries into improved patient outcomes. Research spans foundational, preclinical, and translational science across multiple areas of radiation biology and precision radiation oncology.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape one of the nation's premier academic radiation biology programs by leveraging the exceptional scientific resources of UW Medicine and Fred Hutch Cancer Center. Faculty members collaborate extensively with investigators across cancer biology, immunology, genomics, computational biology, engineering, medical physics, and clinical oncology to accelerate discoveries from laboratory investigation to clinical application.
The Department maintains an active Radiation Biology Laboratory. The successful candidate will be provided dedicated, state-of-the-art laboratory space tailored to support their research program, personnel, and future scientific growth. The Department also provides administrative support through experienced grants management, research administration, and clinical trials teams.
The Department strongly supports multidisciplinary team science through collaborative research initiatives, program project grants, center grants, investigator-initiated clinical trials, and national research networks.
Department OverviewThe University of Washington Department of Radiation Oncology is internationally recognized for excellence in patient care, research, and education. Through UW Medicine and its clinical partners, including Fred Hutch Cancer Center, the Proton Therapy Center, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle Children's Hospital, and VA Puget Sound Health Care System, the Department provides comprehensive radiation oncology services throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Our multidisciplinary faculty of more than 80 radiation oncologists, medical physicists, advanced practice providers, and research scientists collaborates across disease-site programs and scientific initiatives, supported by experienced grants management, research administration, and clinical trials infrastructure.
The Department treats more than 3,500 patients annually and offers one of the broadest arrays of radiation treatment technologies in the world. The University of Washington is uniquely home to North America's only academic radiation oncology department with both clinical proton and neutron therapy programs, creating exceptional opportunities for translational research and clinical innovation.
Through its partnership with Fred Hutch Cancer Center, an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, faculty members benefit from exceptional shared core facilities, graduate education programs, and one of the nation's most collaborative cancer research communities.
The Department is equally committed to educating the next generation of physician-scientists, radiation biologists, and medical physicists through nationally recognized residency, fellowship, graduate, and postdoctoral training programs.
Living and Working in SeattleSeattle is one of the nation's most innovative and livable metropolitan regions, offering an exceptional quality of life alongside a world-class scientific ecosystem. The region is a global leader in biotechnology, life sciences, global health, artificial intelligence, aerospace, and technology, creating exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Residents enjoy renowned arts and culture, outstanding restaurants, professional sports, vibrant neighborhoods, and easy access to hiking, skiing, cycling, sailing, kayaking, and other outdoor recreation, offering an exceptional quality of life both inside and outside the workplace.
Positive factors for consideration- International reputation in radiation biology or a closely related field.
- Experience building and providing strategic leadership for an academic research program.
- Experience developing translational research programs that bridge foundational or preclinical discoveries and clinical application.
- Success obtaining multi-investigator, programmatic, or center-level funding.
- Experience recruiting, mentoring, and developing research faculty, trainees, and staff.
- A collaborative leadership style and demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive and innovative research environment.
QualificationsApplicants for this position must meet the following minimum qualifications:
- PhD (or foreign equivalent) in radiation biology, cancer biology, molecular biology, cell biology, biomedical sciences, or a closely related discipline. An MD/PhD in these fields is also acceptable.
- Record of sustained, extramurally funded research appropriate for appointment at the Associate Professor or Professor level.
- Record of scholarly achievement and high-impact publications appropriate for appointment at the Associate Professor or Professor level.
- Expertise in leading collaborative, multidisciplinary research initiatives.
- Record of mentoring trainees and junior investigators.
Application Instructions To ensure full consideration of your application, please submit all materials no later than October 31, 2026. Priority will be given to those applications received by September 30, 2026. Applications will only be accepted via Interfolio: [link]. The position will remain open until filled.
Applications should include the following materials:
- Cover letter of no more than two pages detailing your interest in the position, relevant qualifications, and experiences
- Curriculum vitae
- Research statement that describes the research or education scholarship program that you propose to pursue at UW
Applicants should articulate how their past experiences and/or future plans in research, teaching, mentoring, patient care, and/or service promote a sense of belonging and foster a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Please also include contact information for
at least three referees who are prepared to provide letters of recommendation upon request.
