Assistant Professor, Neuroscience, Gut-Brain Axis (T/TE)

Assistant Professor, Neuroscience, Gut-Brain Axis (T/TE) Posting Number req27226 Department Neuroscience Department Website Link https://neurosci.arizona.edu Location Tucson Campus Address Tucson, AZ USA Position Highlights

The Departments of Neuroscience and Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Arizona invite applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor. This joint appointment is part of the University's AI Innovation in Health initiative, which advances interdisciplinary discovery at the intersections of neuroscience, molecular and cellular biology, nutrition, metabolism, and artificial intelligence.

We seek an innovative scientist investigating fundamental mechanisms through which the gut, its microbial communities, and the brain interact to shape neural function, behavior, metabolism, health, and disease. The successful candidate will establish a rigorous, independent, and externally funded research program and contribute to a collaborative intellectual community spanning both departments and the broader AI Innovation in Health initiative. The successful candidate's research program should meaningfully integrate artificial intelligence, machine learning, computational modeling, multi-omics, or other advanced quantitative methods to generate or test biological hypotheses and deepen mechanistic understanding.

Relevant research areas include, but are not limited to:

• The microbiome-gut-brain axis and the mechanisms that support bidirectional communication between the gastrointestinal system and the nervous system;
• Microbial metabolites and their effects on neural circuits, cellular physiology, behavior, or disease processes;
• Gut-derived metabolic, immune, or endocrine signaling and its influence on the brain and peripheral nervous system;
• Neuroimmune interactions and inflammatory mechanisms linking the gut, microbiome, and nervous system;
• Inter-organ communication among the gut, brain, liver, adipose tissue, immune system, and other physiological systems;
• Neural and molecular mechanisms governing feeding, appetite, energy balance, and metabolic homeostasis; and
• Effects of diet, nutrition, and metabolism on brain function, development, aging, and neurological or neuropsychiatric disease.

About the University of Arizona

The University of Arizona is committed to research, education, and service that address important scientific and societal challenges. As a land-grant institution, the University connects discovery and learning with public engagement and practical benefit. The successful candidate will join a community that values rigorous scholarship, interdisciplinary collaboration, excellent teaching, and mentorship across career stages.

Collaborative Environment

The University of Arizona offers a highly collaborative environment for research across neuroscience, molecular and cellular biology, physiology, nutrition, data science, and related fields. The joint appointment will create opportunities to build connections across the Department of Neuroscience, the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, and other University programs and centers whose strengths align with the candidate's research, such as the BIO5 Institute. Additionally, the successful candidate will have graduate faculty status in the Biochemistry & Molecular and Cellular Biology PhD Program, as well as the Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs of Neuroscience and Genetics. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute actively to this interdisciplinary community through collaborative scholarship, shared training, and intellectual leadership.

Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2026, and will continue until January 3, 2027, for an anticipated start date of August 16, 2027.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; sick leave and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Duties & Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain a rigorous, innovative, nationally recognized, and externally funded independent research program.
• Conduct research that advances understanding of gut-brain and microbiome biology and complements strengths in Neuroscience, Molecular and Cellular Biology, and the Food as Medicine Initiative.
• Meaningfully incorporate or develop artificial intelligence, machine learning, computational modeling, multi-omics, or advanced quantitative methods within the research program.
• Engage in collaborative research and interdisciplinary scholarship across the University of Arizona.
• Demonstrate excellence and innovation in undergraduate and graduate teaching and contribute to the educational missions of both departments.
• Provide thoughtful, effective mentorship to undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral trainees and support their development as independent scientists.
• Participate in departmental, college, and University service.
• Advance the University of Arizona's land-grant mission through education, outreach, community engagement, or the translation of scientific discovery in ways that benefit Arizona and its communities.

Minimum Qualifications

• A PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent terminal degree in neuroscience, molecular or cellular biology, microbiology, physiology, computational biology, or a related discipline by the anticipated start date.
• A record of rigorous and impactful research appropriate to career stage.
• Evidence of the potential to establish an innovative, independent, and externally funded research program.
• A demonstrated commitment to high-quality teaching, trainee mentorship, collaboration, and inclusive academic excellence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Research expertise addressing the microbiome-gut-brain axis or related mechanisms of inter-organ communication.
• Experience integrating experimental biology with artificial intelligence, machine learning, computational modeling, multi-omics, or advanced quantitative analyses.
• A strong publication record and evidence of scientific creativity and independence.
• Potential to develop collaborations across neuroscience, molecular and cellular biology, metabolism, nutrition, immunology, microbiology, and data science.
• Evidence of effective teaching, mentoring, outreach, public engagement, or translation of research.

Rank Assistant Professor Tenure Information Tenure Track (T/TE) FLSA Exempt Full Time/Part Time Full Time Number of Hours Worked per Week 40 Job FTE 1.0 Work Calendar Academic Job Category Faculty Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits Rate of Pay DOE Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE) Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive) Number of Vacancies 1 Target Hire Date 8/16/2027 Expected End Date Contact Information for Candidates Haijiang Cai, Ph.D.

Professor and Associate Department Head

Department of Neuroscience

haijiangcai@arizona.edu

Open Date 10/28/2026 Open Until Filled Yes Documents Needed to Apply Curriculum Vitae (CV), Cover Letter, and Three Additional Documents Special Instructions to Applicant Applicants should submit the following materials through the University of Arizona's online employment portal:

• A curriculum vitae (CV).
• A cover letter describing interest in the position and alignment with the joint appointment and Food as Medicine initiative.
• A statement of current and future research plans, including the role of AI, machine learning, computational modeling, multi-omics, or advanced quantitative methods.
• A statement describing teaching interests and philosophy, evidence of teaching excellence, trainee mentorship, and potential contributions to the University's land-grant mission.
• Contact information for three professional references.

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