VAI Faculty Position in Structural Biology

The Van Andel Institute (VAI) is seeking to hire a
Full time VAI Faculty Position in Structural Biology.
So many of us have had personal experience with the devastation diseases such as cancer and Parkinson's bring to individuals, to families and to hope itself. Van Andel Institute is a nonprofit biomedical research and science education institute with a mission to find what causes disease and to translate those discoveries into therapeutic solutions that conquer illness and enhance lives.
Through cutting-edge biomedical research, inspired scientific education and relentless commitment, VAI is unleashing innovations that will improve health and enhance lives for generations to come.
With employees from nearly 30 countries, there are plenty of opportunities to meet people from various cultural, educational and employment backgrounds. VAI fosters a diverse and collaborative environment. Ample natural light and open spaces foster dialogue and innovation.
Join our Team
Van Andel Institute invites applications for a Faculty Position at the rank of Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor in our Department of Structural Biology. We are seeking individuals with a strong background in Structural Biology, particularly those with research interests that align with VAI's focus areas, including neurodegeneration, epigenetics, or metabolism.
At VAI, we have a cutting-edge David Van Andel Cryo-Electron Microscopy Suite, equipped with two powerful high-resolution cryo-electron microscopes for three-dimensional imaging of proteins and macromolecular assemblies. This state-of-art suite comprises a Talos Arctica equipped with a K2 direct electron detector (upgraded to K3 by the end of 2023), and a Titan Krios equipped with the latest generation BioQuantum energy filter and a post-GIF Gatan K3 Summit direct electron detection camera. Additionally, the suite includes a TEM microscope for negative stain screening.
We are seeking exceptional scientists who thrive in a collaborative environment and are eager to enrich VAI's diverse and inclusive research culture. At VAI, we encourage applications from women and underrepresented minorities. We also recognize the needs of dual-career couples and are committed to providing a supportive environment.
Qualifications
As a faculty member at VAI, we would expect you to develop a state-of-the-art, innovative, independently funded and internationally recognized research program. Applicants will be evaluated upon the following criteria:

• A relevant Ph.D. and/or M.D. degree.
• Postdoctoral training.
• A strong peer-reviewed publication record.
• A commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Faculty Support
Faculty support at VAI is outstanding. Thanks largely to the generous endowment bestowed by the Van Andel Family, you will benefit from a highly competitive research support packages, which include:

• Robust start-up packages.
• Substantial annual budget, in perpetuity.
• 100% internal support for faculty members' salary and benefits.
• Dedicated administrative support.
• Stipend support for one graduate student and half of the stipend for a second graduate student.
• Supplemental salary support for postdoctoral fellows.
• Exceptional research and operations services.
• Support from dedicated Core Technologies and Services. Our core services include: • Cryo-EM • Metabolomics and Bioenergetics • Bioinformatics and Biostatistics • Optical Imaging Flow Cytometry • Genomics • Pathology and Biorepository • Vivarium and Transgenics

Application Instructions
To apply, please submit the following (all documents in a single PDF is preferred):

• A cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the position.
• A current curriculum vitae.
• A three-page document with a brief summary of your recent research accomplishments and a research statement outlining your future research plans.
• Names and contact information of three references who can provide letters of recommendation.
• A DEI statement that highlights your demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Please direct questions about these Faculty open positions to Juan Du, Ph.D., Chair of the search committee at Juan.Du@vai.org or Eric Miller, B.S., Director of Talent & Employee Engagement at Eric.Miller@vai.org.
Application reviews will begin in September 2023 and will continue until the position is filled.
About Van Andel Institute
Van Andel Institute began with a vision: to improve human health.
Founded by the Van Andel family in 1996 in downtown Grand Rapids, MI., the Institute is now home to more than 400 scientists, educators and support staff - each one deeply connected to the work we do and driven by an urgent desire to make a difference.
Every day, VAI scientists collaborate at the forefront of fundamental and translational science in pursuit of breakthrough treatment strategies for cancer, Parkinson's and other diseases. With a growing reputation as a worldwide hub for exceptional basic research, we engage the world's brightest minds to leverage our unique catalytic collaborative approach to translate our discoveries through partnerships with academia, clinical, industry and philanthropic collaborators. We operate without walls - integrating diverse perspectives and our shared values, with the aim of orchestrating joint programs to accelerate the connection between discovery and impact.
VAI is committed to achieving excellence through increasing diversity. We actively encourage applications from women, persons of color, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups.
Van Andel Institute is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer.
As Van Andel Institute is a drug and alcohol-free employer, all prospective new employees undergo a urinalysis/drug test as part of our pre-employment process. This is a 7-panel drug screen and it includes testing for Marijuana, Cocaine, Amphetamines, Opiates, PCP, Barbiturates, and Benzodiazepines.
About Grand Rapids, MI
Van Andel Institute is in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan in the center of the Medical Mile. A remarkable combination of a cosmopolitan atmosphere and small-town warmth, Grand Rapids is known for its philanthropic and sustainability-driven community. It's fun affordable and family-friendly.
Located on the banks of the Grand River, Grand Rapids; offers all the big-city excitement you'd expect from a million-resident metropolis, featuring hundreds of restaurants and nightspots, theatres, museums, sports and concerts. The safe and clean downtown is surrounded by an eclectic mix of walkable neighborhoods and natural areas.