At the Heersink School of Medicine, our ability to shape the future of medicine through biomedical discovery depends on the people who power it. Strategic research recruitment is not simply about increasing faculty or funding numbers—it is a deliberate, long-range approach in disciplines where we have strong foundations, where we see emerging opportunities, and where coordinated effort can enhance our impact across the region, the nation, and the globe.
Over the past decade, our recruitment approach has evolved in response to a changing scientific landscape and the recognition that the most transformative research happens in teams, not silos. Science is not solely based around departments—it is also thematically based. Strategic recruitment allows us to bring in scientists whose expertise complements, strengthens, and accelerates research that is already underway across our campus.
Recruitment is only one part of the equation, of course. We are equally committed to the continued support and retention of existing faculty, recognizing the pressures created by national funding uncertainty and shifting federal research policies. Strategic recruitment supplements these efforts by bringing in new ideas and new collaborators—invigorating our research environment and helping our school maintain momentum even in challenging times.
This year’s Research Retreat underscored four priority areas that anchor our current recruitment efforts: Neurosciences, Cancer, I 4ward (Infection, Inflammation, Immunity and Immunotherapy), and Implementation Science. Some of these efforts are well-established. Strategic recruiting in neurosciences and cancer has been underway for years, while implementation science and I-4ward are newer recruitment initiatives designed to capitalize on emerging national priorities and our unique strengths in population health, translational science, immunology, and clinical research.
This is a particularly significant moment of opportunity for our school. With the new Biomedical Research and Psychology Building expected to come online this year, we are able—for the first time in decades—to build thematic, interdisciplinary research hubs defined by scientific purpose, creating an environment where existing faculty and new recruits can work side-by-side, sharing technology, ideas, and teams. This kind of collaboration is rare in academic medicine and positions us to attract outstanding scientists who want to be part of cohesive, synergistic research communities.
This strategic recruitment program is coordinated at the school level. Each research theme uses a single, school-wide recruitment advertisement that invites applications across rank, discipline, and department. A multidisciplinary search committee reviews applicants based on scientific potential and thematic fit in addition to departmental criteria. The committee then works with departments, divisions, centers, and sometimes other schools to determine where candidates may thrive best.
This approach benefits both candidates, who gain a comprehensive view of the breadth of opportunity at UAB, and departments, which receive highly vetted applicants who have been assessed for scientific fit and collaborative potential. Ultimately, departments and divisions retain ownership of hiring decisions, ensuring alignment with their long-term goals while leveraging the advantages of centralized coordination. The model has shown solid results: Since June 2023, neurosciences and cancer have welcomed a total of 41 outstanding recruits to our faculty.
Success in strategic recruitment is defined not by numbers alone but by outcomes that strengthen our school for years to come:
- Larger, more cohesive research communities centered on major scientific themes
- Stronger interdisciplinary collaboration across basic, translational, clinical, and population sciences
- Enhanced competitiveness for large, multi-investigator grants
- A diversified and resilient research funding portfolio
- A thriving environment where faculty at all stages can grow, contribute, and lead
Strategic research recruitment represents a long-term commitment—one that strengthens our identity as a leader in collaborative, innovative, and mission-driven research and solidifies our existing foundation of exceptional research. As new buildings open, new programs launch, and new scientific questions emerge, we will continue investing in the people who will shape the future of discovery at the Heersink School of Medicine.