The Department of Medicine seeks dynamic physician scientists to join and expand our outstanding biomedical research team, with multiple tenure-track faculty positions available at the rank of Assistant to Full Professor. Appointees will maintain a productive research program and provide patient care directly. Other responsibilities will include teaching and supervision of trainees and students.
We are interested in applicants in any area of scientific investigation and clinical subspecialty, and especially welcome those whose research focus is more broadly in the areas of aging, genomic medicine and bioinformatics, obesity and metabolism, healthcare delivery and policy (including AI), cardiovascular disease, sleep disorders, rheumatology/immunotherapy, infectious disease/microbiology, cancer biology, and kidney/gastrointestinal disorders. Academic rank and compensation (including generous start up support) are dependent upon qualifications. Primary appointments will be in the Department of Medicine, although we anticipate that appointees will develop close interactions with other departments, centers and institutes at the University of Arizona (UA), with additional opportunities available via research partnerships with the Veterans Affairs (VA) Tucson Medical Center, which serves all of Southern Arizona. Faculty recruited through this effort will strengthen and diversify a collegial and internationally acclaimed research base that is making major contributions to the advancement of human health.
The College of Medicine – Tucson provides state-of-the-art programs in medical education, groundbreaking research opportunities, and leading-edge patient care, anchoring the main campus-adjacent, UA Health Sciences campus, which also includes Colleges of Public Health, Pharmacy, Nursing, and (Allied) Health Sciences. The Department of Medicine, a leader in the College of Medicine – Tucson in research funding and size, supports two residency and 15 fellowship programs, with faculty actively engaged in research mentorship via multiple highly collaborative T32-supported MD, PhD, or MD/PhD graduate programs. Building on an established clinical partnership with Banner Health, the fourth largest non-profit healthcare system in the U.S., the Department is well-positioned as the sole academic health care provider in southern Arizona to transform the health of communities that we serve by achieving excellence in clinical care, education, and research.
Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!
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- Establish, lead and contribute to highly impactful, extramurally funded research programs.
- Maintain a record of impactful research publications.
- Lead or contribute to "team science" based interdisciplinary research grants/projects.
- Provide clinical inpatient/outpatient services, as assigned.
- Provide instruction in professional, graduate, and undergraduate degree programs, as assigned.
- Hold an MD, DO or MD/PHD.
- Be board certified or board eligible by the American Board of Internal Medicine and/or Medical Subspecialties, and eligible for unrestricted medical licensure in the State of Arizona.
- Hold current or pending federal research support.
- Have a record of impactful publications and federal funding, commensurate with career stage.
- Demonstrated distinction in teaching and clinical care, as well as research, in an academic department of medicine or equivalent environment.
- Successful track record of working with trainees and students.
- Demonstrated commitment to patient care, reflecting a service-oriented, team-based philosophy with hospital administration and health professional colleagues from all disciplines, departments, and specialties.
- If the individual selected for employment does not currently hold a faculty title with the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson, they will be required to obtain faculty status. This will include obtaining letters of recommendation and review by the appropriate departmental and college review committees.
- Demonstrated recognition and/or outstanding leadership in major subspecialty division at an academic department of internal medicine.
- Evidence of a continuous, independent NIH-or other federally funded sponsored research portfolio.
- Additional health profession degree (e.g., PhD, MPH, MS, etc.).
- Ability to drive according to the University .
Freqently Asked Questions
Advancement from assistant to full professor typically hinges on a sustained record of impactful federally funded research, leadership in interdisciplinary projects, and demonstrated excellence in clinical care and mentorship. Early stages focus on establishing independent research programs, while senior ranks require significant scholarly influence and administrative contributions.
Physician Scientists integrate patient care with their investigative work by dedicating structured clinical hours while leveraging collaborative team science efforts to sustain extramural funding. Effective time management and institutional support, especially in academic settings like The University of Arizona, facilitate this dual role.
Fields including aging, genomic medicine, bioinformatics, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and immunotherapy are prominently emphasized. Tucson's biomedical research ecosystem encourages projects intersecting clinical subspecialties with innovative data-driven approaches, reflecting the region’s strategic health priorities.
The University offers a collaborative atmosphere with access to interdisciplinary departments, VA partnerships, and robust mentorship programs. Faculty benefit from state-of-the-art facilities and leadership opportunities that promote an impactful presence in both research and clinical education.
Apart from comprehensive health and retirement plans, the university supports tuition reductions for employees and families, access to cultural activities, plus relocation assistance. Early-career faculty receive start-up funding and mentorship tailored to navigating federal grant landscapes and academic promotion.
Salaries generally range between $150,000 to $250,000 annually, depending on academic rank, clinical duties, and research funding. Tucson’s cost of living and competitive academic market combine to offer compensation packages inclusive of generous start-up resources and benefits.
Tucson’s growing biomedical sector coupled with The University’s expanding research initiatives creates a moderately competitive environment. Candidates with strong federal funding records and interdisciplinary expertise in targeted research areas have a distinct advantage.
Yes, Tucson’s unique healthcare demands, including partnerships with VA medical centers and regional health systems, shape diverse inpatient and outpatient clinical assignments. This fosters a service-oriented approach that integrates research insights with community health needs.
Emphasizing board certification, a history of NIH or equivalent federal funding, and impactful publications is critical. Highlighting leadership in subspecialty divisions and active mentorship roles also signals readiness for tenure-track faculty responsibilities.
A common misunderstanding is that clinical duties overshadow research; in reality, these roles demand a strategic balance with protected research time. Faculty must also navigate complex interdisciplinary collaborations while sustaining independent funding, which requires adaptability and proactive planning.
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