The Salk Institute for Biological Studies invites candidates to apply for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position. We seek outstanding scientists whose research addresses fundamental questions related to the biological mechanisms that influence health, resilience, adaptation and variation in physiological responses across individuals or populations. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, comparative physiology, evolutionary biology and medicine, healthy aging, resilience, disease heterogeneity and related fields. We welcome investigators using experimental, computational, engineering, or quantitative approaches to understand the biological basis of health and its application to major biomedical challenges, including cancer, neurological disorders, developmental/early-stage diseases, metabolic disorders, infectious diseases and other conditions characterized by differences in susceptibility, progression or recovery. Successful candidates will complement and expand the Institute's strengths in basic biomedical research through innovative, interdisciplinary science.

The Salk Institute

Jonas Salk founded the Salk Institute for the purpose of improving public health by elucidating biological and computational mechanisms to discover cures for disease. The Salk Institute is internationally renowned for research in neuroscience as well as immunology and virology, molecular and cell biology, and plant biology, within a highly synergistic, collaborative and stimulating environment. We seek bold leaders who are passionate in exploring new frontiers in science and pursuing innovative solutions to fundamental questions in biology. The Salk Institute offers an outstanding start-up package, a competitive salary and excellent benefits.

The Salk Institute is composed of a collaborative and diverse community of students, scholars, scientific and administrative staff and faculty. The Salk Institute is driven by a passion for discovery, service, leadership, and the sharing of knowledge. We are looking for a collaborative colleague whose research will forge connections and links across the diverse research areas at Salk. Please consider sharing your talents within our collegial community.

Why Join Us?

World-Class Research Environment: The Salk Institute is a small, highly interactive institution with a unique architecture that is internationally acclaimed for breakthroughs in neuroscience, immunology, virology, cancer, plant biology, and molecular and cell biology, and fosters a culture of bold exploration and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Competitive Compensation Package: The new faculty member will receive a generous start-up package to support their research endeavors, along with a highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Salk Values: The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, work together to define values that we believe support Salk’s pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.

The acronym “I CARE” provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

Application Requirements:

Candidates with a Ph.D. and/or M.D. degree are invited to submit an online application through Interfolio with the following materials:

• Curriculum vitae
• A 3–4-page research proposal outlining current and future research goals. Please note that in your proposal, emphasize how your perspective and research connects to the biology of health, resilience and adaptation.
• Three letters of recommendation to be sent directly by the referees through the Interfolio dossier services via the online application.

Applications with all required materials will be accepted until the position is filled but applications will begin being reviewed on November 16^th, 2026. Questions should be directed to facultysearch@salk.edu.

The expected pay range for this position is $135,000 to $150,000. The Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to): the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.