Endowed Chairs

The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS or Department) at UAB Callahan Eye, Heersink School of Medicine (HSOM), University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) invites applications for highly successful research-intensive faculty members to join a thriving and well-funded vision science research environment. This department is looking to fill two endowed chairs. One is the Susan and Dowd Ritter/Research to Prevent Blindness Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology, and the other is the Kelley and C.T. Fitzpatrick Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology. As the department looks to significantly increase and expand its research enterprise, the opportunity exists for one of these endowed chairs to assume the role of Vice Chair of Research in the Department. 

UAB is home to a thriving and well-funded vision science research enterprise, which includes an NIH P30 core grant. The interdisciplinary research team in the Department is currently composed of scientists, clinician scientists, biologists, endocrinologists, engineers, and optometrists focusing their research activities towards understanding the pathogenesis of and improving treatment for age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, myopia, and low vision, among others. From bench to bedside, the UAB DOVS is at the forefront of reducing the impact of blinding diseases. In 2023, the Department was awarded more than $10 million in total research funding.  Additionally, UAB has a highly respected community of vision scientists in additional departments around campus including the School of Optometry, Neurobiology Department, and Engineering, among others.  

Reporting to the Chair of DOVS, these endowed chairs will work in a robust research environment with top investigators to conduct visual science research committed to helping reverse and prevent blinding diseases. The DOVS endowed chairs are expected to display high standards of academic excellence, scholarly achievement, and exemplary service. Candidates must bring insight and judgment to identify the most important and tractable basic and translational questions in ophthalmology and visual sciences, whose answers will propel the field forward. They must also value scientific breadth and intellectual curiosity, and bring an appreciation for the range of approaches, methodologies, and disciplines that can inform the work of the Department, HSOM, and UAB Medicine.

The role of Vice Chair of Research for DOVS could be extended to an applicant who has significant research leadership experience. The Vice Chair for Research will be responsible for the full spectrum of research activities within the Department including health services research, clinical trials, translational research, discovery and innovation, and research administration. They will partner with the Chair and other senior investigators to create a vision for research initiatives, implement plans to increase research funding and extramural grants, and promote research initiatives to university and hospital leaders. 

Applications will be considered for candidates who hold a PhD, MD, DO, OD or combined OD/PhD, DO/PhD or MD/PhD degrees. The department welcomes applicants with an established track record and significant research accomplishments in vision research that complement and/or expand the department’s research interests. Successful applicants are expected to run an internationally recognized, externally funded research program, and have demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to develop a strong multidisciplinary and collaborative research environment.

Correspondence and applications, which should include a CV and letter of interest, should be submitted electronically below. 

Randi Herrick is leading these searches with Jane McInerney.

UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and veteran’s status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB’s Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix. A pre-employment background check investigation is performed on candidates selected for employment.

Physicians and other clinical faculty candidates who will be employed by the University of Alabama Ophthalmology Services Foundation (OSF) or other UAB Medicine entities, must successfully complete a pre-employment drug and nicotine screen to be hired.