[Jun-Ho La]

The University of Texas at El Paso

Department of Biological Sciences

Open Position – Human Genetics

 

Position Description: The Department of Biological Sciences at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) invites applications for an open rank, tenure-track faculty position in Human Genetics, starting in Fall 2026. We seek innovative and highly collaborative scientists whose research integrates fundamental mechanisms with human health relevance, employing molecular, cellular, technological, computational, or epidemiological approaches. We especially welcome applicants with expertise in one or more of the areas below:

• Complex trait genetics of human biology and disease susceptibility
• Genetics and genomics of human diseases, including (but not limited to) infectious, metabolic, neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, neurological, psychiatric disorders or cancer
• Functional genomics, systems genetics and genome regulation
• Epigenomics, epitranscriptomics and multi-omics
• Development and application of emerging multi-omic and imaging technologies

Applicants using human subjects, diverse model systems, and advanced platforms such as iPSCs, organoids, organs-on-chips, single-cell or spatial multi-omics, high resolution imaging and AI/Machine Learning for data integration are strongly encouraged to apply.

The successful candidate is expected to develop an externally funded research program, publish in respected peer-reviewed journals, mentor a diverse undergraduate and graduate student body, teach core and elective courses, collaborate across disciplines within and beyond UTEP, and demonstrate leadership through university, professional, scientific, and public service.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT: The Department of Biological Sciences offers two Ph.D. tracks (Bioscience and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) and has over 100 graduate students and over 2000 undergraduate majors. The department boasts multiple state-of-the-art core facilities with full-time staff. The core facilities include those focused on mass spectrometry, proteomics, metabolomics, genomics, tissue culture and high-throughput drug screening, confocal microscopy, bioinformatics and biostatistics. Biological sciences faculty maintain strong collaborative and programmatic ties with several other departments, including Psychology, Pharmacy, Physics, Chemistry, and Computer Science.  This position represents a unique opportunity for an outstanding individual to be a part of shaping/delivering an integrated curriculum and advancing scholarship in human genetics research at UTEP, a research-intensive university.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must hold a PhD and have postdoctoral training. Successful candidates will have an established record of high-quality research and show strong promise of an externally funded program of research with documented evidence of: Success in collaborative scholarship, external funding, and/or publications; Evidence of successful teaching in a higher education institution; Ability to work effectively as a team with faculty, staff, and students from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; Involvement of students in research and/or publication opportunities; Service in their discipline/profession.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Candidates should submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, statement of research interests (max 3 pages), a brief description of teaching philosophy (max 2 pages), and complete contact information for at least three references.

Questions should be directed to Dr. Charles Spencer, Ph.D., Chair of the Human Genetics Search Committee at ctspencer@utep.edu/Phone number: 915-747- 8776.

To apply, visit http://www.utep.edu/employment.

 

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY: The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is a Carnegie R1 and community engaged university at the heart of the U.S.-Mexico border region that is increasing access to excellent higher education. We advance discovery of public value and positively impact the health, culture, education, and economy of the community we serve. UTEP enrolls 25,000 students – 85% of whom are Hispanic and half of whom are the first in their families to attend college. UTEP offers 171 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.

The city’s border location makes it an ideal venue for academic programs and research studies on topics of national interest such as bilingual education/language acquisition, Hispanic health, border environment and immigration, environmental sustainability and infrastructure, and international trade and commerce.

The Paso del Norte region’s center for intellectual capital, UTEP is one of the major economic engines in the region, adding more than $1.4 billion to the local economy annually.

El Paso’s active arts and culture community features the state’s longest-running symphony orchestra, a nationally recognized chamber music festival, a vibrant street art and mural scene, art galleries, museums, and a full schedule of seasonal events and festivals. UTEP adds to the arts and entertainment scene with concerts and live events at the city’s largest indoor and outdoor venues; theater, music and dance productions; contemporary and student art galleries; and a natural history museum and desert gardens. El Paso residents can also easily travel to our sister city of Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, to enjoy great food, markets and cultural events.

El Paso is also an ideal location for people who love the outdoors, as home to one of the nation’s largest urban parks – Franklin Mountains State Park, and many options for year-round hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing.

For sports fans, the UTEP Miners offer exciting Division I college athletics at several campus venues including Sun Bowl Stadium, where one of the oldest football bowl games takes place annually, and the Don Haskins Center arena. Southwest University Park, located a mile away in lively downtown El Paso, is home to the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Triple-A baseball affiliate of the San Diego Padres, and the El Paso Locomotive FC, a professional soccer team founded in 2019.

In keeping with its access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment. 

The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or sexual orientation and gender in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee’s or prospective employee’s right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972.