The Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is seeking a qualified and motivated faculty member at the rank of Assistant Professor, tenure-earning, to serve as an Independent Researcher and Resident Research Educator.
As an independent researcher, the individual will develop and then maintain an excellent, extramurally funded independent research program in a neurosurgical-related area (50% – 75%). The criteria of research success are establishing an independent research program, regularly publishing in high quality, leading journals, and obtaining sufficient extramural funding for their research program. Other indicators of success include serving on editorial boards, study sections, and invitations to national and international research conferences.
As the Resident Research Educator, the individual will be responsible for the day-to-day facilitation of resident research education; mentoring; publication guidance; conference coordination (25% – 50%); reporting to the Residency Program Director and Department Chair. This role ensures that all residents receive structured, high-quality training in clinical, translational, and/or basic science research, aligned with departmental and institutional academic missions. This position integrates education, mentorship, and research infrastructure to promote scholarly productivity and prepare residents for academic neurosurgery careers.
In support of the Department’s resident research education, responsibilities will include:
- Monthly meetings with residents – research designs, project troubleshooting, barriers to progress
- Journal Club support – interpretation of medical evidence, research design & methods (lead by MDs)
- Resident publication guidance – authorship, submission, quality targets (approximately 2-3 residents per year)
- Pre-research year oversight – project design regulatory approvals, team assembly
- Research year oversight: project completion, publication goals, conference presentations
- Certificate program advising – resident professional development, career pathways
- Monthly trainee research performance reporting (to Dept Char & Resident Program Director)
- Clinical faculty coordination – engagement as mentors and senior authors
- Galbraith Lecture and Scientific Session coordination – annual planning and execution (with support from the Chair’s office)
- Participation in international research education programs and global neurosurgery training opportunities
- Compliance – Ensure all programs meet regulatory and accreditation standards
- Track and report research meeting attendance as part of monthly trainee performance reporting to the Residency Program Director.
The individual will be expected to establish annual milestones and deliverables and submit semi-annual reports on their progress of achieving the duties and goals for both the Independent Researcher and the Resident Research Educator roles. The individual’s annual evaluation by the Department Chair and Residency Program Director will be based, in part, on how well they have accomplished these responsibilities.
For additional information about our department, please visit our website at https://www.uab.edu/medicine/neurosurgery
