Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences- Neurobiology of Pain (Tenure Track) na University of Oklahoma

The School of Biological Sciences (SBS) at the University of Oklahoma (OU) invites applications for a full-time 9-month tenure-track position as Assistant Professor with a start date of August 2026.

We are seeking an innovative and creative colleague with a record of leading scholarship in the Neurobiology of pain who will establish a discipline-leading research program in this area of study. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated success with investigating molecular, cellular, and/or neural circuit level processes associated with nociception and pain-related phenomena. Vertebrate and invertebrate animal models will be considered. A successful candidate will be expected to develop an extramurally funded research program. The research program should include mentoring of postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduates in research and professional development. The candidate will also be expected to contribute to formal undergraduate and graduate instruction, including courses within their specific area of expertise, through teaching one course per semester.

The SBS was recently established through the integration of the Department of Biology and Department of Microbiology & Plant Biology to align undergraduate and graduate programs and research areas with faculty strengths, and the Vice President for Research and Partnership’s Strategic Research Framework, part of OU’s Lead On Strategic Plan. 

OU invests in its faculty by providing support and resources through the Center for Faculty Excellence and Vice President for Research and Partnerships Office. The Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences supports faculty development through mentoring, new faculty orientation series, and access to research and educational support. We encourage candidates to apply who are seeking to work in a rapidly growing college with strong academic units and interdisciplinary groups. 

Required Qualifications: 

·       Ph.D. in Neurobiology or a related discipline, with postdoctoral experience. 

·       Established record of high-quality research and publications. 

·       Demonstrated potential for securing extramural funding for research. 

·       Ability to contribute to the neurobiology curricula in the SBS. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

·       Multiple years of postdoctoral experience.  

·       Potential for collaborations with others within the SBS and across the OU campuses and beyond.  

·       Evidence of excellence in teaching, including commitment to or familiarity with effective teaching practices and mentoring approaches that support students from a wide range of backgrounds. 

Applicants should submit 1) a cover letter describing their interest in the position and their fit within the SBS, 2) a full curriculum vitae, 3) a research plan describing their accomplishments and future trajectory, 4) a teaching plan briefly describing their approach to teaching and student mentorship, and their plans/goals for teaching at OU (including existing and proposed courses), 5) names and contact information for three confidential letters of recommendation, and 6) up to three selected reprints/preprints as PDF files. Please keep cover letter, research statement, and teaching statements to 1-3 pages each. Applications should be submitted online through Interfolio (https://apply.interfolio.com/175314).  

Inquiries should be directed to the search committee chair: 

Dr. Christian H. Lemon

Professor of Biological Sciences

University of Oklahoma 

[email protected] 

The University of Oklahoma (OU) is a Carnegie-R1 comprehensive public research university known for excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement, serving the educational, cultural, economic, and healthcare needs of the state, region, and nation from three campuses: Norman, the Health Campus in Oklahoma City, and the Schusterman Center in Tulsa. OU enrolls over 32,000 students and has more than 2,700 full-time faculty members in 21 colleges.