Assistant Professor Tenure-Track Bioethics and Humanities
Position Overview
Organization: Bioethics & Humanities
Title: Assistant Professor Tenure-Track Bioethics and Humanities
Position Details
Position Description
The Department of Bioethics and Humanities at the University of Washington School of Medicine invites applications for a Full-time (100% FTE) faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor Tenure-Track, with an anticipated start date of September 2027. We seek applicants who demonstrate commitment to excellence in research, teaching, and service in a diverse and inclusive academic community.
Assistant Professor Tenure Track appointments hold an initial 3-year renewable term that aligns with a 12-month service period (July 1-June 30). Faculty with 12-month service periods are paid for 11 months of service over a 12-month period (July-June), meaning the equivalent of one month is available for paid time off.
The base salary range for this position will be $6,456 - $10,000 per month, commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination.
The successful candidate will be expected to:
- Develop a research program of national and international importance in bioethics and humanities. The search’s primary emphasis will be the ethical, social, legal, policy, and/or humanistic dimensions of artificial intelligence (AI) and data-intensive technologies in science, medicine, biomedical research and health care; applications are also welcome from scholars working in other areas of biomedical innovation, including genomics, reproductive and cellular technologies, synthetic biology, and related emerging biotechnologies.
- Lead high-quality independent scholarship and publish in peer-reviewed venues.
- Pursue extramural research funding, including career-development, investigator-initiated, and/or collaborative awards, as appropriate to support a sustained program of research.
- Contribute as a participant in the Department’s Science, Medicine, and Society Lab, a new initiative designed to advance interdisciplinary scholarship, collaborative grant development, teaching, and community-building around social, ethical, historical, legal, policy, and humanistic questions in science, medicine, and society.
- Teach and mentor students and trainees across undergraduate, graduate, medical/professional, and other departmental educational programs as appropriate.
- Perform service and administrative work that furthers the mission of the department, school, and/or university.
- Collaborate effectively across disciplines, cultures, funding sources, and learning environments.
All University of Washington faculty are expected to engage in teaching, research, and service.
About the Department of Bioethics and Humanities
The Department of Bioethics and Humanities is an interdisciplinary department in the University of Washington School of Medicine, with a mission to advance rigorous scholarship, teaching, and public engagement on the ethical, social, historical, and humanistic dimensions of science, medicine, biomedical research and health care. Department faculty work across fields including education, genetics, health services, medical sociology, medicine, philosophy, public health, religious studies and related areas.
Our research and teaching address topics such as, community-based participatory research, clinical and research ethics, biotechnology, social justice and access to health care, global bioethics, medical error, and palliative and end-of-life care.
The Department is deeply connected to the wider UW ecosystem, with collaborative relationships across UW Medicine and the Schools of Law, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, and Social Work, as well as the College of Arts and Sciences and Seattle Children’s. The successful candidate will join a department committed to interdisciplinary scholarship and to building new areas of strength at the intersection of science, medicine and society.
The Department offers an undergraduate minor, a master’s degree in bioethics, professional training programs, and ethics education in the UW School of Medicine.
Qualifications
Applicants for this position must meet the following minimum qualifications:
Terminal degree appropriate to their discipline (Ph.D., M.D., J.D. or foreign equivalent).
This position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship.
Instructions
To ensure full consideration of your application, please submit all materials no later than November 30, 2026. Applications will only be accepted via Interfolio. The position will remain open until filled.
Applications should include the following materials:
- A cover letter of no more than 2 pages detailing your interest in the position, relevant qualifications, and experiences
- A curriculum vitae
- 2-page Research Statement: The statement should articulate a clear and compelling vision for your future research program and explain how your prior work establishes a foundation for pursuing that vision. Please also describe how your experiences and plans complement existing strengths across the department and UW, and how you would contribute to departmental research initiatives, including the Science, Medicine, and Society Lab, and to building scholarly community in the department and university.
- A list of 3 referees, including names, affiliations, and full contact details. Referees should be prepared to provide letters of recommendation upon request.
Applicants should articulate how their past experiences and/or future plans in research, teaching, mentoring, patient care, and/or service promote a sense of belonging and foster a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Send queries about the position to Department Chair Dr. Amy Hinterberger at amyhint@uw.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Equal Opportunity
The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.
Benefits Information
The University is committed to providing excellent benefits to our faculty. For a summary of available benefits, please see UWHR benefits information.
Privacy Notice
Your application materials may be used for employment consideration and shared in accordance with UW’s Privacy Policy.
Disability Services
The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.