Assistant Professor of Biomechanics- Center for Cardiovascular Research in Biomechanics (CRiB)

UNO is Nebraska's public metropolitan research university - a university with strong academic values, diverse programs and learning opportunities, and significant relationships with our community that facilitate engaged teaching and research.

Job Title
Assistant Professor of Biomechanics- Center for Cardiovascular Research in Biomechanics (CRiB)

Department
Biomechanics

Essential Functions

The Department of Biomechanics and the COBRE Center for Cardiovascular Research in Biomechanics (CRiB) at the University of Nebraska Omaha are seeking candidates for two tenure-track faculty positions in cardiovascular biomechanics.
New hires will be expected to develop research projects as Research Project Leaders ( RPL ) in CRiB within their first year. They are also expected to establish and maintain world-class, extramurally-funded research programs and productive collaborations with clinical partners at neighboring medical centers. Other duties include teaching courses in Biomechanics and related fields, supervising students and research associates, and providing departmental, university, and professional service.
For full consideration, please submit the following documents as a single PDF file: cover letter, curriculum vitae, statements of research and teaching interests, contact information of at least three references, and specific aims for the project as an RPL in CRiB COBRE (one page, NIH format). Review of the applications will begin in early November 2024 and will continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is January or August 2025.

The University and College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences have a strong commitment to achieving diversity among faculty and staff. The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. UNO is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an E-Verify employer.

Additional Duties

UNO’s Department of Biomechanics is one of the few academic departments dedicated entirely to Biomechanics in the United States. It offers undergraduate, Master’s, and Ph.D. degrees in Biomechanics, and Biomechanics & Kinesiology. The Department has a strong focus on research, and over half of its tenure-track and tenured faculty are Principal Investigators on major federal grants, including NIH R01s. Since its inception in 2016, the Department has grown to 18 tenure-track and tenured faculty who have acquired over $40 million in federal funding. The Department occupies the Biomechanics Research Building, which has 53,000 square feet of shared laboratory space, offices, and collaboration space dedicated to translational biomedical research. The building is located within a two-mile radius of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Western Iowa-Nebraska Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center. This close proximity facilitates exceptional access to collaborating clinicians, patients, clinical data, and tissues. Biomechanics faculty enjoy light teaching loads, open access to a wide variety of equipment, and interactions with a diverse body of students and faculty from multiple UN campuses.

Why UNO ?
UNO is a vibrant, metropolitan university located in Omaha, the largest city in Nebraska, with an enrollment of approximately 15,000 students. In recent decades, the campus has evolved into a more traditional residential university, supported by several new and beautifully appointed residence halls. UNO is classified as a doctoral research university in the latest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, and its athletic program competes in NCAA Division I. The university is also recognized as a leader in community engagement and outreach, having received the Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation in 2015.
The campus is situated in the heart of Omaha, a cosmopolitan city with a population of over 600,000 (1.2 million including the larger Omaha metro area). Omaha is known for its excellent public school system and robust economic base. The city boasts a diverse population, with numerous racially, ethnically, and culturally varied communities, and offers a plethora of dining, living, and shopping options.
In the 2023 Best States ranking by U.S. News & World Report, Nebraska is ranked #4 nationally. The state excels in several categories, including #5 in infrastructure, #7 in education, and #10 in the economy. Additionally, Nebraska ranks #16 for both housing affordability and cost of living. It leads the nation in labor force participation at #1 and stands at #16 for job growth and #11 in long-term fiscal stability. Omaha, as the 42nd largest city in the United States, has a population of nearly 1.1 million within a 50-mile radius and plays a significant role in UNO’s identity. In 2022, Livability ranked Omaha at #20 in its list of the best places to live in the U.S.

Required Qualifications

At the time of hire, candidates should have a Ph.D. in Engineering (Mechanical, Biomedical, or a closely related field) and conduct research that supports the development of novel materials and devices to treat cardiovascular diseases. Specific areas of expertise include (but are not limited to) tissue and cell biomechanics, modeling, organ and cell culture systems, imaging, and cardiovascular device design. Postdoctoral experience and a track record of securing extramural funding are highly desirable.

Preferred Qualifications

A history of extramural funding, including fellowships, scholarships, and research grants.

Posting Number
2024F-00138

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit the following application materials:
1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Statements of research and teaching interests
4. Contact information of at least three references (references will only be contacted for finalists)
5. Specific aims for the project as an RPL in CRiB COBRE (one page, NIH format)

Applications must be submitted directly through the UNO website to be considered for this position. Any applications submitted via email or this website will not be reviewed or considered.

Review of the applications will begin in early November 2024 and will continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is January or August 2025. For questions about the position, please contact Dr. Alexey Kamenskiy, Chairperson and CRiB Director, via akamenskiy@unomaha.edu