Open Rank (Assistant/Associate/Full Professor) - Biomanufacturing

University of Texas at Arlington

  • Arlington, TX
  • 3 days ago

    Highlights

    The successful applicant will be committed to excellence in research, teaching, and service, and will be expected to teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses, build and lead a team of researchers, including student researchers, implement a program of externally funded research that yields top-tier publications, contribute a distinctive scientific or engineering capability to the IMPRINT HLA-Peptide Biotherapeutics Program, collaborate across the cluster where appropriate, and contribute to professional service within UTA and the external community. The program leverages UTA's growing strengths in translational immunology, advanced biomanufacturing, analytical sciences, computational biology, and precision medicine, as well as strategic partnerships with Cook Children's Health Care System, Baylor Scott & White Health, Baylor University Medical Center, regional biotechnology partners, and the National Center for Therapeutics Manufacturing 2 (NCTM2).

    Numbers & Facts

    LocationArlington, TX

    Description

    Posting Details

    Position Information

    Posting Number F00805P Position Title Open Rank (Assistant/Associate/Full Professor) - Biomanufacturing Department Provost Office Location Arlington Job Family Faculty Position Status Full-time Rank Open-T/TT Work Hours Standard Open to External and Internal FLSA Exempt Duration Funding expected to continue Pay Basis Monthly Benefits Eligible Yes Job Summary

    The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) invites applications for five tenure-track faculty positions as part of a coordinated faculty cluster hire designed to establish a nationally distinctive HLA-Peptide Biotherapeutics Program within the Institute of Biomanufacturing and Precision Medicine for North Texas (IMPRINT). These positions represent a single integrated hiring initiative rather than five independent searches. Successful candidates will join a collaborative research ecosystem focused on translating disease-selective HLA-peptide targets into novel biotherapeutic products through a seamless discovery-to-translation framework.

    This initiative is led by Dr. Jon A. Weidanz, Senior Associate Vice President for Research & Innovation and Founding Director of IMPRINT. The program builds upon established strengths in HLA biology, immunopeptidomics, HLA-E biology, peptide-MHC recognition, and TCR-mimic (TCRm) antibody discovery and engineering.

    The cluster is centered on the scientific premise that intracellular disease biology can be therapeutically targeted through disease-selective peptide-HLA complexes displayed on the cell surface. By integrating target discovery, molecular recognition, therapeutic engineering, manufacturing science, and translational development, IMPRINT aims to establish a national leadership position in HLA-directed biotherapeutics.

    The program leverages UTA's growing strengths in translational immunology, advanced biomanufacturing, analytical sciences, computational biology, and precision medicine, as well as strategic partnerships with Cook Children's Health Care System, Baylor Scott & White Health, Baylor University Medical Center, regional biotechnology partners, and the National Center for Therapeutics Manufacturing 2 (NCTM2).

    At the heart of this initiative is an integrated translational pathway:

    Target Discovery Mechanistic Validation Molecular Recognition Therapeutic Engineering Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Science & CMC Clinical Translation

    IMPRINT will leverage advanced modeling, process analytics, and digital twin methodologies as enabling technologies within biotherapeutics manufacturing science and Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC). These approaches can support process understanding, product quality prediction, scale-up planning, and manufacturing optimization for HLA-targeted biologics. Rather than serving as the primary scientific focus of the cluster, these capabilities function as translational tools that help bridge therapeutic discovery and manufacturable product development. By integrating manufacturing science and data-driven product development throughout the therapeutic lifecycle, IMPRINT seeks to accelerate the progression of HLA-targeted biotherapeutics from target discovery to clinically translatable products.

    UTA seeks candidates whose scholarship aligns with one of five integrated capability domains:

    1. HLA Immunopeptidomics and Antigen Discovery

    Discovery and quantitative validation of disease-selective peptide-HLA targets using immunopeptidomics, proteogenomics, spatial biology, and related approaches.

    1. Antigen Presentation Biology and Functional Genomics

    Mechanistic studies of antigen processing and presentation, HLA regulation, immune escape, peptide loading, and functional genomics.

    1. Computational Modeling of pHLA Recognition and Protein Design

    Computational protein design, machine learning, molecular recognition, and predictive approaches for peptide-HLA targeting.

    1. Immune-Effector and Therapeutic Format Engineering

    Engineering of T-cell engagers, NK-cell engagers, ADCs, multispecific antibodies, Fc-engineered biologics, cytokine fusions, and related therapeutic formats.

    1. Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Science and CMC

    Biologics manufacturing science, developability assessment, analytical characterization, translational bioanalysis, process development, product quality, Quality-by-Design, and CMC.

    While these five positions are being recruited as part of a unified faculty cluster, each faculty member will be expected to establish and sustain an independent, externally funded research program that achieves national visibility and scholarly distinction. Successful candidates will contribute a unique scientific or engineering capability aligned with one of the five focus areas, while collaborating across the broader IMPRINT ecosystem.

    Together, these complementary areas create a unified target-to-product development ecosystem that integrates discovery, therapeutic engineering, manufacturing science, and clinical translation. The initiative positions UTA and IMPRINT to establish a distinctive leadership role in HLA-peptide-targeted biotherapeutics while leveraging the University's strengths in biomanufacturing, precision medicine, and translational research.

    Engineering: All areas of engineering will be considered with an emphasis on the research strengths in bioengineering, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. More information on our research strengths can be found at https://www.uta.edu/academics/schools-colleges/engineering/research.

    Science: All areas of natural, physical, and health sciences will be considered, with a particular interest in functional genomics, biomedical science, and biomedical data analytics. More information on our research strengths can be found at

    https://www.uta.edu/academics/schools-colleges/science/research.

    This initiative positions UTA not merely as a research institution, but as a fully integrated precision therapeutics enterprise - uniquely combining intracellular antigen biology, programmable biologics, targeted delivery, genome engineering, and intelligent manufacturing within a single translational ecosystem.

    Competitive startup packages, access to advanced genomics and analytical platforms, expanding cleanroom and bioprocess infrastructure, and strong health system partnerships provide an exceptional environment for faculty seeking to build nationally recognized programs at the intersection of precision medicine and scalable manufacturing.

    University Notables:

    • The Institute of Biomanufacturing and Precision Medicine for North Texas (IMPRINT), first funded by the Texas Legislature in the 2024-25 biennium, is dedicated to making UTA a leader in advanced biomanufacturing and precision medicine innovation. IMPRINT combines biotechnology, biomanufacturing, precision medicine, health data sciences, and entrepreneurship to create a one-of-a-kind hub of innovation to enhance biomanufacturing, improve health outcomes, grow life science startups, and catalyze regional economic development in North Texas. https://imprint.uta.edu/
    • Biomanufacturing Center: To help support the facilities needs associated with Biomanufacturing, UTA established a Biomanufacturing Center in Pegasus Park in Dallas. This 5,003 sq. ft. facility with $5M in biomanufacturing equipment, established in partnership with Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, offers experiential training and process engineering, supporting translational research and clinical trial pathways. Process engineering includes upstream, downstream, analytical, and regulatory. Known as the National Center for Therapeutics Manufacturing 2 (NCTM2), the center provides automation and robotics, staging of drugs, and clinical trial pathways. This facility is available to faculty and students.
    • UTA's North Texas Genome Center, Life Science Core Facility, and Shimadzu Centers for Advanced Analytical Chemistry and Bio-Molecular imaging provide excellent access to instrumentation, service, and support for generation and analysis of a broad range of genomics, imaging, and analytical instruments an analyses.
    • https://www.northtexasgenomecenter.com/ Shimadzu Institute for Research Technologies is a public-private partnership that provides UTA faculty access to over $25 million in state-of-the-art research instruments and facilities. https://shimadzuinstitute.org/
    • Faculty members have excellent access to computational resources, including Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC), and multiple HPCs on campus, including some GPU-heavy clusters as well as the molecular biology, flow cytometry, and imaging equipment in the Life Sciences Core Facility https://lscf.uta.edu/menu/
    • $170M remodel and expansion of the Life Sciences Building will be completed in November 2027. The project includes a new addition and renovation of the existing building, adding modernized instructional labs and classrooms, adding research "Lab Neighborhoods," and a multi-story student engagement area, all aimed at creating a collaborative environment
    • University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) https://utari.uta.edu/
    • Center for Artificial Intelligence and Big Data (CARIDA) https://carida.uta.edu/
    • Division of Data Science, College of Science, The University of Texas at Arlington https://www.uta.edu/academics/schools-colleges/science/departments/division-data-science
    • Clinical Imaging Research Center https://circ-center.uta.edu/
    • Center for Innovation in Health Informatics https://cihi.uta.edu/
    • Bone-Muscle Research Center https://bonemusclecenter.uta.edu/
    • UTA has an established and growing collaboration with Cook Children's Health Care System that brings together Pediatric Precision Health and the Pediatric Brain Health and Neurosciences, aligning clinical excellence with cutting‑edge research to accelerate discovery, transform care for children, and advance the future of precision medicine in pediatrics.

    Benefits at UTA

    We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees at the University.

    To help you understand the full value of these benefits, we have created a tool that calculates the total worth of your compensation package. This tool takes into account all of the benefits that you are eligible for, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. To access this tool and learn more about the total value of your benefits, please click on the following link:

    https://resources.uta.edu/hr/services/records/compensation-tools.php

    CBC Requirement

    It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington to conduct a criminal background check on any applicant who is under final consideration for employment with the University.

    This position may have access to critical infrastructure as defined by Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code. If so, to be hired for and continue to be employed in this position you must maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure as set forth in Texas Executive Order GA-48. By assuming this position, and if you have access to critical infrastructure, you authorize the University to conduct routine background checks.

    Essential Duties and Responsibilities

    The successful applicant will be committed to excellence in research, teaching, and service, and will be expected to teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses, build and lead a team of researchers, including student researchers, implement a program of externally funded research that yields top-tier publications, contribute a distinctive scientific or engineering capability to the IMPRINT HLA-Peptide Biotherapeutics Program, collaborate across the cluster where appropriate, and contribute to professional service within UTA and the external community.

    Required Qualifications

    Minimum requirements for this position include: (1) a Ph.D. or equivalent in one of the

    disciplines noted above or a related discipline that clearly aligns with a focus on biomanufacturing; (2) a strong publication record or potential in the field of expertise; (3) strong research program with existing external funding or potential for funding; and (4) commitment to quality teaching at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

    Preferred Qualifications

    Industry and/or industry partnership experience.

    Special Conditions for Eligibility Department Information

    For additional information on our departments, please go to:

    University Information

    The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metroplex, a vibrant and diverse metropolitan area that is home to over 7 million people, one of the fastest-growing tech economies in the United States, and a wide array of arts, entertainment, and cultural activities. As a comprehensive teaching, research, and public service institution, UTA is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through scholarship and creative work. With an enrollment of more than 42,000 students, UTA is the second largest in the University of Texas System. As a result of its combination of rigorous academics and innovative research, UTA is designated as a Carnegie R-1 "Very High Research Activity" institution and nationally recognized for its commitment to student success and service. It ranks No. 5 in Military Times' "Best for Vets: Colleges" and is the top university in North Texas for its graduates' salaries (The Wall Street Journal). UTA is designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution and is No. 6 for undergraduate ethnic diversity in the United States (U.S. News & World Report, 2023). With a global alumni network of approximately 280,000 - including leaders at many of the 24 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in North Texas - UTA contributes an estimated $29 billion annually to the Texas economy.

    UTA is expanding its regional footprint by building a regional campus, called UTA West, in Parker County on the far west side of Fort Worth. It is scheduled to open in fall 2028. This initiative aligns with the university's strategic growth and commitment to serving the broader community. Furthermore, UTA has launched the RISE 100 initiative, aiming to recruit 100 new tenure-system faculty to strengthen its research enterprise and leadership in key academic areas. Learn more at https://www.uta.edu/administration/president/strategic-plan/rise100.

    This is an exciting time to join UTA and contribute to its bold vision for the future.

    Working Title EEO Statement

    It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA or The University) to provide an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, and/or veteran status. The University also prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity, and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who oppose a discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for, assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating to discrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally-protected expression will not be considered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is the responsibility of all departments, employees, and students to ensure the University's compliance with this policy.

    ADA Accommodations

    The University of Texas at Arlington is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to 817-272-5554 or email ADADocs@uta.edu.

    Posting Detail Information

    Number of Vacancies 5 Desired Start Date 09/01/2027 Open Date 09/17/2026 Review Start Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants

    To apply applicants should go to https://uta.peopleadmin.com/postings/33952 and submit the following materials:

    • Curriculum Vitae
    • Cover/Interest Letter
    • Unofficial Transcripts (required for candidates for whom their degree is not in the same discipline as the one in which they will teach)
    • Statement of Research Interests
    • Statement of Teaching Interest/Philosophy
    • Contact Information for 3 to 5 references

    The priority deadline for review is October 19, 2026 at 11:59PM.

    Questions may be addressed to Katherine Flannery at katherine.flannery2@uta.edu for any questions.

    For more information about UTA, please visit: http://www.uta.edu/uta.

    Requirement Questions

    Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

      • Are you currently a UTA employee?
    • Yes

    • No

      • If you are a current UTA employee, please provide the name and department of your current supervisor. (If not current employee, enter "N/A")

    (Open Ended Question)

    Documents Needed To Apply

    Required Documents

    • Curriculum Vitae
    • Cover/Interest Letter
    • Statement of Research Interests
    • Statement of Teaching Interest/Philosophy

    Optional Documents

    • Transcripts

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