Research Faculty - Biomedical Research (Self-Funded)

Job Posting Title:

Research Faculty - Biomedical Research (Self-Funded)

Job Description:

Overview:

Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) is seeking outstanding candidates for a Research Faculty position focused on biomedical research. This non-tenure-track role is entirely soft-money funded, meaning the successful candidate is fully responsible for obtaining and maintaining all research funding. This position is designed for independent investigators who have demonstrated success in securing extramural funding and are seeking a collaborative academic environment to conduct high-impact biomedical research.

The successful candidate will lead their own research program, with operational costs, personnel support, and salary contingent upon external funding from sources such as NIH, DoD, NSF, foundations, or industry-sponsored awards. This role is ideal for entrepreneurial scientists engaged in translational, clinical, or basic biomedical research who thrive in a results-driven, grant-supported environment.
 

Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) was founded in 1997 as the first higher education institution in the United States dedicated exclusively to education and research related to the applied life sciences. KGI offers innovative postgraduate degrees and certificates that integrate life and health sciences, business, pharmacy, engineering, and genetics, focusing on industry projects, hands-on industry experiences, and team collaborations. KGI employs an entrepreneurial approach and industry connections that allow students to become leaders in healthcare and the applied life sciences.
 

Located in beautiful Claremont, California, KGI is a member of the Claremont Colleges, a consortium of five undergraduate liberal arts colleges, two graduate institutions, and The Claremont Colleges Services, which provides shared institutional support services. Each nationally recognized college has its own campus, students and faculty, and distinctive mission, and each offers top-notch curricula, small classes, distinguished professors, and personalized instruction. The Claremont Colleges consistently place at the top of national college rankings, including Forbes, Money and U.S.  News and World Report, and the Princeton Review.

Areas of Research Focus May Include:

• Regenerative medicine, cell and gene therapy
• Neuroscience, immunology, infectious disease
• Biomedical engineering or bioinstrumentation
• Translational or clinical biomedical research
• Omics (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics) and systems biology
• AI/data science applications in biomedicine
   

Education and Experience:

Required:

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent) in biomedical science or a related field.
• Proven track record of research independence and successful grant acquisition.
• Demonstrated productivity in peer-reviewed scientific publications.
• Capacity to manage complex research projects and research teams (if applicable).

Preferred:

• Current or recent principal investigator (PI) or co-PI on NIH, DoD, NSF, or similar funding mechanisms.
• Experience with interdisciplinary and/or translational research collaborations.
• Familiarity with institutional research compliance budgeting processes, and grant management.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:  Individuals must possess knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential function of the position, or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions may be performed, with or without, reasonable accommodations, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

• Lead a productive, externally funded research program in biomedical sciences.
• Develop and submit grant proposals to agencies such as NIH, DoD, NSF, or private foundations with a KGI-approved budget that includes IDC.
• Maintain full financial responsibility for the research program, including salaries, personnel support, and operational costs, through successful grant acquisition.
• Collaborate with institutional and external research partners.
• Publish in peer-reviewed journals and present at scientific conferences.
• Supervise KGI students and staff with support from extramural funding.
• Actively pursue diverse funding opportunities to sustain and grow the research program.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Individuals must possess knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential function of the position, or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions may be performed, with or without, reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

• Demonstrated grant-writing and project management expertise.
• Advanced knowledge in biomedical research methodologies.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Capacity to work independently and collaboratively in a research-driven environment.
• Demonstrated success in mentoring research students.
• Ability to manage budgets and reporting for sponsored projects.

• Strong attention to detail.
• Proficient computer, online system, and web skills.
• Strong work ethic and team-based approach to working in a high-volume environment.
• Positive, welcoming personality with demonstrated customer service experience.
• Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
• Ability to work comfortably, respectfully, and competently with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to handle multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
• Available for occasional work on evenings and weekends, as event schedules may require.

Hours, Classification, and Status: 

This is a temporary Faculty, full-time, benefits-eligible, exempt position.

Typical working hours are between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.; however, teaching schedules will vary based on course assignments and the operational needs of the department or Institute.

Salary range: $110,000 - $195,000 annualized. The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty, and training. Please note that salary may be subject to fluctuation based on the availability of external research funding. Continued employment in this position is contingent upon the researcher’s ability to secure and maintain sufficient external funding to support their role and associated research expenses.

KGI offers a comprehensive compensation and benefit package. To learn more, visit https://services.claremont.edu/benefits-administration/ 

Physical and Mental Requirements

Ability to maintain good concentration level while dealing with interruptions; attention to details with emphasis on accuracy; capable of giving, receiving, and analyzing information, formulating work plans, and articulating goals and action plans.  Sitting in a normal seated position for extended periods of time.  Standing for extended periods of time. Reaching and extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.  Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than the whole hand(s), or arm(s), for example, using a keyboard.  Communication skills using the spoken word. Ability to see within normal parameters.  Ability to hear within normal parameters.  Ability to bend and stoop, for example, to file.  Ability to move about.  Ability to lift and carry short distances up to 20 lbs., for example to lift or move office supplies, files, books and packages. 

Ability to travel locally. Occasionally, will be required to stand for prolonged periods of time at activities/events on and off-campus. 

To Apply:

A confidential review of applications, nominations, and expressions of interest will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, please submit the following:

• A cover letter detailing your professional experience and qualifications

• A comprehensive curriculum vitae outlining academic and professional achievements

• Contact information for three professional references, including name, title, relationship to the applicant, email address, and direct phone number

• A statement of research philosophy

• Preliminary budgetary requirements for research start-up, if applicable
   

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy:

Keck Graduate Institute is an equal opportunity employer. It does not discriminate against qualified employees or applicants based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable state or federal law. Equal employment opportunity will be extended to all persons in all terms and conditions of employment.

Employment Eligibility:
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without employer sponsorship. No visa sponsorship is available from Keck Graduate Institute.

KGI is a participating employer in E-Verify and uses the system to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees as required by federal law. For more information about E-Verify, please visit www.e-verify.gov.