Research Faculty - Biomedical Research (Self-Funded)

About the role

Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) is seeking outstanding candidates for a Research Faculty position focused on biomedical research. This non-tenure-track role is entirely soft-money funded, meaning the successful candidate is fully responsible for obtaining and maintaining all research funding. This position is designed for independent investigators who have demonstrated success in securing extramural funding and are seeking a collaborative academic environment to conduct high-impact biomedical research. The successful candidate will lead their own research program, with operational costs, personnel support, and salary contingent upon external funding from sources such as NIH, DoD, NSF, foundations, or industry-sponsored awards. This role is ideal for entrepreneurial scientists engaged in translational, clinical, or basic biomedical research who thrive in a results-driven, grant-supported environment. Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) was founded in 1997 as the first higher education institution in the United States dedicated exclusively to education and research related to the applied life sciences. KGI offers innovative postgraduate degrees and certificates that integrate life and health sciences, business, pharmacy, engineering, and genetics, focusing on industry projects, hands-on industry experiences, and team collaborations. KGI employs an entrepreneurial approach and industry connections that allow students to become leaders in healthcare and the applied life sciences. Located in beautiful Claremont, California, KGI is a member of the Claremont Colleges, a consortium of five undergraduate liberal arts colleges, two graduate institutions, and The Claremont Colleges Services, which provides shared institutional support services. Each nationally recognized college has its own campus, students and faculty, and distinctive mission, and each offers top-notch curricula, small classes, distinguished professors, and personalized instruction. The Claremont Colleges consistently place at the top of national college rankings, including Forbes, Money and U.S. News and World Report, and the Princeton Review. Areas of Research Focus May Include: Regenerative medicine, cell and gene therapy Neuroscience, immunology, infectious disease Biomedical engineering or bioinstrumentation Translational or clinical biomedical research Omics (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics) and systems biology AI/data science applications in biomedicine Education and Experience: Required: Doctoral degree (Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent) in biomedical science or a related field. Proven track record of research independence and successful grant acquisition. Demonstrated productivity in peer-reviewed scientific publications. Capacity to manage complex research projects and research teams (if applicable). Preferred: Current or recent principal investigator (PI) or co-PI on NIH, DoD, NSF, or similar funding mechanisms. Experience with interdisciplinary and/or translational research collaborations. Familiarity with institutional research compliance budgeting processes, and grant management. Essential Functions and Responsibilities: Individuals must possess knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential function of the position, or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions may be performed, with or without, reasonable accommodations, using some other combination of skills and abilities. Lead a productive, externally funded research program in biomedical sciences. Develop and submit grant proposals to agencies such as NIH, DoD, NSF, or private foundations with a KGI-approved budget that includes IDC. Maintain full financial responsibility for the research program, including salaries, personnel support, and operational costs, through successful grant acquisition. Collaborate with institutional and external research partners. Publish in peer-reviewed journals and present at scientific conferences. Supervise KGI students and staff with support from extramural funding. Actively pursue diverse funding opportunities to sustain and grow the research program. Other duties as assigned. Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities : Individuals must possess knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential function of the position, or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions may be performed, with or without, reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities. Demonstrated grant-writing and project management expertise. Advanced knowledge in biomedical research methodologies. Strong written and oral communication skills. Capacity to work independently and collaboratively in a research-driven environment. Demonstrated success in mentoring research students. Ability to manage budgets and reporting for sponsored projects. Strong attention to detail. Proficient