Faculty Research Track

We offer two research faculty pathways at U-M Medical School: research scientist and research professor.

Research track faculty actively contribute to our research mission, either as an independent researcher or as a part of team science.

We offer a Research Faculty Seminar Series and a Research Faculty Grant Orientation to support our faculty. In addition, the Research Track Advisory Council is a small advisory committee that meets monthly on faculty affairs matters related to this track. 

Tracks

Research Scientist

Research Investigator

A person appointed to the position of Research Investigator must hold a doctoral degree or its equivalent in professional and technical experience and typically has completed two or more years of postdoctoral work. The typical candidate for this position is someone whose scholarly reputation is equivalent to a person who has recently completed a PhD or MD and/or postdoctoral training and demonstrates evidence of potential for scholarship. Candidates for research investigator are not expected to have a record of Institutional citizenship or teaching, although achievement in these areas is a welcome addition.

Assistant Research Scientist

Candidates who are appointed or promoted to this rank must have a record of publications in peer-reviewed journals. Participation at professional meetings is typically present. Candidates for Assistant Research Scientist should demonstrate potential for scholarly development, possibly as part of a larger research program.

Associate Research Scientist

Appointment or promotion to this rank requires a growing national and/or international scholarly reputation. Independence in research is not required but may be developing as represented by a substantial record of collaborative funding as a team scientist (usually as co-investigator).

There should be a strong and sustained record of publication in peer-reviewed journals, including a number of first-author and/or senior-author publications and evidence that this accomplishment will continue. A candidate for this rank should have a record of participation in or presentation at professional meetings. Promotion to Associate Research Scientist signals the passage into medical academia’s senior rank.

Research Scientist

Appointment and promotion to this highest rank in the Research Scientist Track requires an internationally recognized record of continued excellence in research productivity and contributions. A Research Scientist will have a sustained record of first-author and/or senior author publications in peer-reviewed journals.

A Research Scientist will have served as principal investigator on center grants, major grants (e.g. NIH R01) or equivalent. A significant and sustained record of participation in relevant professional meetings is expected of a Research Scientist.

Research Professor

Research Assistant Professor

Candidates who are appointed or promoted to this rank must have a record of publications in peer reviewed journals in which of several they are a primary or senior author. Participation in national and international professional meetings is usually present. Candidates for Research Assistant Professor will have evidence of extramural funding (often mentored K awards and/or foundation grants); with a strong potential for independent “R01 NIH type” proposals.

Contributions to education and institutional citizenship are typical. Candidates at this rank typically have documented teaching and mentoring within the context of one or more research programs with postdoctoral fellows, junior research colleagues, or students at any level.

Research Associate Professor

Appointment or promotion to this rank requires independent, distinguished, and productive research that has been consistent over a number of years. There should be clear evidence of obtaining significant independent external funding as principal investigator; past the level of initial research grants and fellowships.

There should be a strong record of publication in peer reviewed journals, including numerous first-author and/or senior-author publications and evidence that this accomplishment will continue. Many researchers appointed or promoted to Research Associate Professor also have a substantial record of book chapters, abstracts, and textbook co-authorships.

Research Professor

Appointment and promotion to this highest rank in the Research Professor Track requires an internationally recognized record of continued excellence in research. A Research Professor will have a substantial and continued record of first-author and/or senior-author publications in peer reviewed journals.

A Research Professor will have served as principal or co-principal investigator on center grants, major grants (e.g. NIH R01 or equivalent), and maintained a record of such funding. National and international lectures, seminars, study sections, and ad hoc reviews are expected of a Research Professor. Research Professors are expected to perform mentoring, supervising, and laboratory or research based teaching in a number of venues. Institutional citizenship is expected of a Research Faculty.

Current Faculty

If you are a current U-M Medical School faculty or staff member looking for additional information, please visit the Office of Faculty Affairs intranet site.

OFA Intranet
Mitra Aliabouzar, PhD working in the lab

Research Skill Development

Discover skill development resources for research faculty.

Explore Resources

Research Track Advisory Council

The Research Track Advisory Council is a small advisory committee for research track faculty that meeting monthly to advise the Assistant Dean for Research Track Faculty on faculty affairs matters and other items that pertain to this track.  This committee is currently comprised of eight research faculty members who provide input into policies and initiatives for our research faculty. The members are invited to join through the Office of Faculty Affairs.

Council Members

SARMA_Aruna4x5.jpg

Aruna V Sarma, PhD, MHSA

Collegiate Research Professor of Urology
Urology Health Services Research Division Co-Chief
Medical School Assistant Dean for Research Faculty
Research Professor of Epidemiology
Medical School
HwaJung Choi

HwaJung Choi, PhD

Associate Professor, Internal Medicine, Medical School
Faculty Associate, Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research
Associate Professor, Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health
Stefanie Galban, PhD

Stefanie Galban, PhD

Research Associate Professor, Radiology
Research Associate Professor, Surgery
Medical School
Jason Goldstick headshot

Jason Goldstick, PhD

Research Professor, Emergency Medicine, Medical School
Research Professor, Health Behavior and Health Equity, School of Public Health
Orsolya I. Lautner-Csorba

Orsolya Lautner-Csorba

Research Assistant Professor
Surgery
Medical School
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Rahul Mannan, MD

Andre Monteiro Da Rocha, PhD

Andre Monteiro Da Rocha

Research Assistant Professor
Internal Medicine
Medical School
Louise M. O'Brien

Louise M O'Brien, PhD, MS

Research Professor, Neurology
Research Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Ombudsperson, Medical School
Research Scientist, Dentistry
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
School of Dentistry
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Jie Xu, PhD