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:

1. Building on the NEIDL’s success in fostering collaborative, funded research that connects faculty across the University;
   
   
2. Recruitment of new faculty to achieve the NEIDL’s strategic goals.
   
   
3. 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

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.