The University of Iowa College of Pharmacy invites applicants for the position of Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics (PSET). This position is a full-time, twelve-month tenured appointment at the rank of Professor. The role includes 40% administrative leadership and 60% faculty responsibilities encompassing research, teaching, and professional service. 

We seek a visionary leader to guide innovation and foster growth in pharmaceutical development and delivery systems. The Chair will play a pivotal role in advancing translational science and drug discovery activities by leveraging interdisciplinary strengths across departments, centers, and institutes. Qualified candidates may be considered for an Endowed Professorship in the college. 

As the department’s chief academic and administrative officer, the Chair will be responsible for strategic planning, policy implementation, resource management, and program development. The Chair will serve on the College’s Executive Committee and report directly to the Dean.

• Promote and support individual and interdisciplinary research, ensuring alignment with graduate and professional programs and university priorities.
• Mentor and retain high-performing faculty who contribute to the success of the Department, College, and University.
• Maintain a successful research program.
• Establish and communicate a clear departmental vision, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment for faculty, staff, and students.
• Manage departmental finances, maintaining a balanced budget and ensuring responsible fiscal oversight.
• Oversee and assign departmental faculty activities in alignment with departmental goals in instruction, research, and service.
• Ensure compliance with university, state, federal and funding agency policies and regulations.
• Serve as a member of the collegiate leadership team, helping guide strategic initiatives and resource allocation to achieve institutional goals.
• Conduct annual performance reviews, oversee promotion and tenure processes, and manage space and resource allocation within the department.
• Lead curricular innovation and enhance educational programs to meet evolving scientific and professional needs. 

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any misconduct history or pending research misconduct investigation including but not limited to sexual misconduct in prior employment and provide a related release and will be subject to a criminal background and credential check. 

Please note that the department will not cover the $100,000 payment associated with H-1B sponsorship, either at the time of hire or for international travel purposes. 

Required Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent advanced degree in pharmaceutical or biomedical sciences.
• Demonstrated leadership or management experience in an academic/research environment.
• A strong academic/research record in a high-quality institution, including:
  • A nationally recognized research program, evidenced by a sustained, competitive external funding and a robust publication record in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
  • A record of excellence in teaching.
  • Proven success in mentoring trainees in research.
• Professional experience working effectively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.
   

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior academic administrative experience, such as serving as an assistant or associate division head, department chair, or assistant or associate Dean.
• Research interests that align with translational or applied science, particularly those that complement the work of interdisciplinary research centers and institutes at the University of Iowa. For more information go to: https://research.uiowa.edu/directory-centers-and-institutes.

The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics (PSET) is home to a dynamic and collaborative community of seventeen faculty members, and over sixty graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and visiting scientists. The department leads innovative educational and research programs that advance pharmaceutical science. 

Research in Drug Discovery and Experimental Therapeutics spans a wide range of areas in modern medicinal chemistry and pharmacology. Faculty pursue innovative synthetic chemistry approaches to develop new anti-infective, anti-cancer, and anti-viral agents, while also investigating drug metabolism, carcinogenesis, chemical toxicology, and neurochemistry. Their work includes creating advanced gene delivery systems, identifying novel anticancer targets, and developing treatments for central nervous system disorders. Using High Throughput Screening, researchers discover promising pre-therapeutic lead molecules, complemented by structure-based and computer-aided drug design efforts that emphasize enzyme drug targets and small molecule discovery.

Within PSET, there are two PhD sub tracks:

• Drug Discovery and Experimental Therapeutics
• Pharmaceutics

These programs prepare students to become leaders in pharmaceutical research and development, with a strong emphasis on translational science and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Founded in 1885, the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy has led the way in educating pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists. The College is recognized for excellence in pharmacy education, advanced practice models, patient care, drug discovery and development, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. It is one of 12 colleges that make up the University of Iowa.

The College recently launched its 2026–2028 strategic plan, and in alignment with the University, will focus on innovation and growth, research and drug discovery, student success, and practice transformation. With a state-of-the-art, four-old-year building, Iowa Pharmacy continues to deliver a contemporary education, preparing its graduates to be healthcare leaders and scientists of the future.

Educational Programs
Three distinct programs prepare students and scholars for leadership in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences:

• A Doctor of Pharmacy degree with a top 25 ranking from U.S. News & World Report.
• A Doctor of Philosophy degree in Health Services Research, Drug Discovery and Experimental Therapeutics, and Pharmaceutics — with a 100% placement rate.
• A Community-based Postgraduate Residency Program, now in its 28th year of advanced training.  

Academic Departments
Two academic departments drive the College’s teaching and research missions:

• The Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics Department, committed to impactful and innovative scholarship focused drug discovery and drug delivery.

• The Pharmacy Practice and Science Department, dedicated to creating new knowledge through scientific discovery and practice innovation.

More than sixty faculty members teach in either (or both) academic programs and are actively engaged in scientific research. Nearly 850 preceptors and adjunct faculty members assist in training and providing practice experiences for the Doctor of Pharmacy candidates. 

The College has over 5,500 living alumni of which 1,980 are serving 316 different communities in Iowa. The alumni of the College are active and dedicated with two advisory boards, the Executive Leadership Board and the Genesis Board. Members of the Executive Leadership Board advise the College as it develops and works towards strategic goals and visions. The mission of the Genesis Board is to provide opportunities that enhance the student experience and facilitate student success.

UI Pharmaceuticals

A key asset to the College, UI Pharmaceuticals, is an FDA-registered manufacturing and pharmaceutical development facility. It is the largest and most experience university-affiliated manufacturing facility in the U.S. producing both sterile and non-sterile medications. The facility supports academic research and commercial partnerships, strengthening the College’s role in pharmaceutical innovation and public health. 

Partners Across the University

The College proudly collaborates with expert healthcare providers at UI Health Care and other colleges on campus including:

• Carver College of Medicine
• College of Engineering
• College of Public Health
• College of Dentistry
• College of Nursing 

The University of Iowa is one of the nation’s premier public research universities, dedicated to academic excellence, groundbreaking discoveries and creations, commitment to Iowa and the world and a culture that prizes community, diversity and opportunity.

Iowa’s collaborative, can-do culture fosters a campus-wide dedication to student success. Welcoming students from all backgrounds, helping them chart paths that serve their individual interests and goals and giving them tools to graduate on time and on budget are central to Iowa’s mission. The Iowa approach works—undergraduate retention and graduation rates well exceed the national average. 

Iowa’s size, structure and culture foster interaction among scholars at all levels, with advanced programs surrounding and shaping a vital liberal arts core. Strong graduate and professional programs enrich the undergraduate experience while providing unparalleled opportunities for students who want to take their education further. 

Alongside education and discovery, Iowa is known for its NCAA Division I athletics programs, a world-class academic medical center, commitment to statewide service and its role as an economic engine for the state of Iowa. The University has launched new programs that lend support and expertise to Iowa businesses and a pervasive spirit of entrepreneurship guides student start-ups, new enterprises built on faculty discoveries and other innovations.

A proud history

When the University of Iowa was founded on February 25, 1847, it was Iowa’s first public University and it was located in the state’s first capital. When Des Moines became the seat of state government in 1857, Iowa City’s Old Capitol building became the geographic and symbolic heart of the University campus.

Iowa has been a member of the Big Ten Conference since 1899 and a member of the Association of American Universities since 1909.

In more recent years, the University has faced and overcome historic challenges—from a devastating campus flood to the impact of new technology to a worldwide pandemic. Community spirit, pragmatic vision and dedicated leadership have helped Iowa weather these crises. Today, the University of Iowa is stronger than ever and is poised to write a new chapter in its 175-year story.

University of Iowa's 2022 to 2027 Strategic Plan can be viewed here.

There’s a reason people choose to call the Iowa City area home. Here, a world-class educational and research university sits alongside some of the nation’s best—and largest—health care facilities. The area offers a thriving arts and cultural scene, abundant hiking and biking trails, a mix of independent shops and major retailers, and a vibrant culinary landscape featuring local breweries and farm-to-table restaurants. Combine all this with a safe, welcoming community, and it’s easy to see why Iowa City consistently ranks among the most livable places in the country.

In the summer, downtown comes alive with weekly outdoor concerts, while year-round the university and community host renowned poets, writers, artists, historians, and scientists. Excellent public schools, safe neighborhoods, and a highly educated population further contribute to Iowa City’s frequent appearance on national “best places to live” lists.

Surrounding the city are scenic parks, the Iowa River, and rolling countryside ideal for hiking, biking, kayaking, and boating. Just twenty miles north lies Cedar Rapids, Iowa’s second-largest city and home to the Eastern Iowa Airport. And with Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Omaha, and Minneapolis all within easy driving distance, the Iowa City area combines small-town charm with big-city accessibility.

Community Websites

• City of Coralville
• City of Iowa City
• City of North Liberty
• Johnson County
• Iowa City Community School District