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Director, National Emerging Infectious Disease Laboratory

Employer
Boston University
Location
Cambridgeport, MA
Closing date
Nov 30, 2021

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Director, National Emerging Infectious Disease Laboratory Boston University is searching for an outstanding leader for its
National Emerging Infectious Disease Laboratory (NEIDL). Located in
Boston on the University's medical campus, the NEIDL was
constructed in 2012 with funding from the National Institutes of
Health. The NEIDL is a state-of-the-art, 165,000-square-foot
facility with capabilities for biosafety level (BSL) 2, BSL3, and
BSL4 research, as well as animal study spaces. With the opening of
its BSL4 labs in 2019, Boston University's vision is for the NEIDL
to be a leader in academic research on world-threatening emerging
infectious diseases with the goals of:

Defining mechanisms of pathogenesis;
Identifying diagnostics, vaccines, and other
infection-mitigating strategies;
Performing innovative basic, translational, and clinical
research on emerging infectious disease;
Providing education and training in infectious disease
research; and
Partnering with researchers at BU, in the New England region,
and worldwide.

This is a unique moment in human history regarding the need for
rapid and translatable scholarship and innovations that advance the
understanding, detection and treatment of emerging infectious
disease. The next Director has the opportunity to insure that the
NEIDL plays a leading role in this challenge. A major goal of the
University's 2030 strategic plan is to increase the number of
faculty carrying out pioneering research in this area and, as such,
has designated this area as an area of priority for future
investment. Currently, there are 24 core and affiliated faculty
across four schools and colleges (Medicine, Public Health,
Engineering, Arts & Sciences) engaged in basic and
translational infectious research at the NEIDL. These faculty
currently work on topics such as small molecule-based therapeutics,
vaccines, pre-clinical animal model development, countermeasure
testing, and diagnostic development. Researchers carry out
both investigator-initiated and contract research at all biosafety
levels in collaboration with federal partners, such as NIAID, as
well as other federal and commercial funders.
The NEIDL is a university-wide facility, guided and supported by
the highest level of leadership for Boston University. The next
Director will take primary responsibility for the strategic
direction of the NEIDL and for all of its executive decisions. The Director will continue the
work of establishing the NEIDL as an internationally recognized
Center of Excellence by:

Building on the NEIDL's success in fostering collaborative,
funded research that connects faculty across the University;

Recruitment of new faculty to achieve the NEIDL's strategic
goals.

Supporting the faculty in undertaking major research
initiatives and cutting- edge research that could have a
transformative impact on the world's ability to understand, detect,
and treat infectious diseases; and

Working with the faculty and the Deans to further develop those
areas in which we have a reputation for excellence and the
potential for carrying out ground-breaking work that would
significantly expand our current

The successful candidate will have a distinguished record of
professional achievement as a scholar, teacher, and leader.
Additionally, the successful candidate will have:

The ability to articulate a compelling vision and strategic
plan for the NEIDL;
Excellent scholarly credentials and an international reputation
in emerging infectious disease or biodefense research;
Experience in high containment facilities and an understanding
of the associated regulatory and compliance environment;
Experience in a significant administrative role that includes
budgetary oversight in biomedical research programs that address
high priority pathogens;
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
from different academic fields and with administrative units around
the University; and
A commitment to creating and sustaining a vibrant, diverse
community of students, staff, and faculty

The Director of the NEIDL will have the appropriate background
and experience to meet the criteria to be appointed as a full
professor in one of the schools or colleges engaged in the NEIDL.
The appointment as Director is for a five-year renewable term,
beginning Fall 2022.
Nominations and expressions of interest should be sent to:
Kenneth Lutchen, Dean College of Engineering (Chair) at
smflanag@bu.edu or NEIDL Search Advisory Committee, c/o
Office of the University Provost, Boston University, One Silber
Way, 8th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02215. Prospective candidates
should include a letter expressing interest and a current
curriculum vitae. Candidates will be asked to provide references
after preliminary review and screening. Review of applications will
begin February 1, 2022. Nominations and applications will be
accepted until a new Director is selected.
Boston University is committed to fostering a diverse
University community within a supportive and respectful
environment. We believe that the diversity of our faculty,
students, and staff is essential to our success as a leading
research university with a global reach, and that diversity is an
integral component of institutional excellence.
Boston University is an equal opportunity employer and gives
consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard
to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or
mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender
expression, genetic information, military service, or because of
marital, parental, or veteran status or any other characteristic
protected by law. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Keywords: Medical Laboratory Director, Location: Boston, MA - 02215

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