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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.

About UIC College of Dentistry
UIC College of Dentistry is a premier institution of oral health education, dental care and research and its students, faculty, staff, and alumni are bettering oral health through transformative innovation in Chicago, Illinois and beyond. UIC College of Dentistry is Illinois’ largest dental school and is the largest provider of dental care in Illinois. UIC College of Dentistry is a Carnegie level-1 research institution, and the college has a research portfolio of 42 full-time research faculty, 14 visiting researchers, 280+ faculty published papers, and $7.9M in current NIH/DOD funding, as well as other private funding. Over half of our faculty are engaged in scholarly and research publications.

Position Summary
The Department of Oral Biology at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry enthusiastically invites applicants for a Bridge to Faculty (B2F) Postdoctoral Research Associate position. Successful applicants will be outstanding scholars from diverse backgrounds who desire a career in oral, dental and craniofacial research, and whose work aligns with our department’s focus on oral microbiology/immunology, salivary glands, oral cancer research, and regenerative sciences.

The B2F Program (https://diversity.uic.edu/faculty/bridge-to-faculty/) is a university level initiative designed to increase faculty diversity at UIC by recruiting and retaining scholars from groups that have been historically underrepresented in their departments or fields. Subject to satisfactory performance and University approval, the successful candidate may be re-appointed for one additional year as a postdoctoral scholar. Successful postdocs in the B2F program may have the opportunity to transition to tenure-track faculty at UIC starting in the 2027-2028 academic year.

The position is full-time and benefits eligible. The selected scholar will be involved in a robust mentoring program within UIC College of Dentistry and will participate in a cohort-based mentoring experience through the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, along with other B2F Scholars. The Scholar will have access to institutional and departmental resources specifically designed to support readiness for an Assistant Professor position. These include guidance from primary and secondary research mentors, access to workshops and seminars that foster research and teaching excellence, assistance with grant applications from UIC College of Dentistry Office of Research, and peer mentoring and support through formal and informal interactions with other B2F Scholars.

Duties & Responsibilities
The primary expectations for the Postdoctoral Scholar will be to establish a robust program of research and participate in the intellectual life of the College of Dentistry. The individual will have no service expectations during the two years in the program. If the Postdoctoral Scholar desires to engage and develop teaching skills, they will be allowed to teach 1 course per year (less than 10% effort). These protections are provided to ensure that the individual can establish a strong research program to launch a successful tenure-track faculty position as Assistant Professor.

Minimum Qualifications
The successful candidate must be a dual-trained clinician-scientist (i.e., DDS, DMD, or equivalent degree, and PhD) or hold a PhD in Oral Sciences, Oral Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, or related fields within an oral, dental, and craniofacial health focus. The doctoral degree must have been completed within the past five years—no earlier than August 15, 2020, and no later than August 15, 2025.

A completed on-line application and the following attachments are required for consideration:
1. A cover letter addressing interest in the Bridge to Faculty Program. UIC is committed to building a culturally diverse educational environment. Applicant’s cover letter must explain how they will further this goal. The letter also should address the applicant’s research interests as well as interest in teaching, mentorship, and service within and outside of UIC.
2. A curriculum vitae (CV).
3. A recent, scholarly writing sample (e.g., dissertation chapter, published peer-reviewed article on which you are the sole or primary author).
4. Three reference letters (letters may be uploaded as attachments to your application.