The Department of Biomechanics and the NIH COBRE Center for Cardiovascular Research in Biomechanics (CRiB) at the University of Nebraska Omaha are seeking candidates for a tenure-track faculty position in cardiovascular biomechanics.
UNO’s Department of Biomechanics is one of the few academic departments dedicated entirely to Biomechanics in the United States. It offers undergraduate, Master's, and Ph.D. degrees in Biomechanics, and Biomechanics & Kinesiology. The Department has a strong focus on research, and over half of its tenure-track and tenured faculty are Principal Investigators on major federal grants, including NIH R01s. Since its inception in 2016, the Department has grown to 18 tenure-track and tenured faculty who have acquired over $50 million in federal funding. The Department occupies the Biomechanics Research Building, which has 53,000 square feet of shared laboratory space, offices, and collaboration space dedicated to translational biomedical research. The building is located within a two-mile radius of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Western Iowa-Nebraska Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center. This close proximity facilitates exceptional access to collaborating clinicians, patients, clinical data, and tissues. Biomechanics faculty enjoy light teaching loads, open access to a wide variety of equipment, and interactions with students and faculty from multiple UN campuses.
Position Summary: Within their first year, the new hire will be expected to develop a research project as a Research Project Leader (RPL) in CRiB, with a focus on cardiovascular materials and devices. They will be responsible for establishing and sustaining a world-class, extramurally funded research program and fostering collaborations with clinical partners at neighboring medical centers. Other duties include teaching courses in Biomechanics and related fields, supervising students and research associates, and providing departmental, university, and professional service.
For full consideration, please submit the following documents as a single PDF file: cover letter, curriculum vitae, statements of research and teaching interests, and contact information of at least three references (no letters are required at this stage). In your research statement, please explain how your work aligns with CRiB’s focus on cardiovascular devices and materials and how it will complement ongoing research involving human tissues and large animal models. Review of the applications will begin on October 15, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is January or August 2026.
Required Qualifications: At the time of hire, candidates should have a Ph.D. in Physiology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Engineering (Mechanical, Biomedical, Materials, etc) or a closely related field, and conduct research that supports the development of novel materials and devices to treat cardiovascular diseases. Specific areas of expertise include (but are not limited to) vascular physiology, biology, or immunology with a focus on novel materials and devices, large animal models, tissue and cell biomechanics, organ and cell culture systems, and cardiovascular device design. Postdoctoral experience and a track record of securing extramural funding are highly desirable.
Why UNO?
UNO is a vibrant, metropolitan university located in Omaha, the largest city in Nebraska, with an enrollment of approximately 15,000 students. In recent decades, the campus has evolved into a more traditional residential university, supported by several new and beautifully appointed residence halls. UNO is classified as a doctoral research university in the latest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, and its athletic program competes in NCAA Division I. The university is also recognized as a leader in community engagement and outreach, having received the Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation in 2015.
The campus is situated in the heart of Omaha, a cosmopolitan city with a population of over 600,000 (1.2 million including the larger Omaha metro area). Omaha is known for its excellent public school system and robust economic base. The city offers a plethora of dining, living, and shopping options.
In the most recent U.S. News & World Report’s Best States rankings, Nebraska has achieved the #3 position nationally. The state excels in several categories, including #5 in infrastructure, #7 in education, and #10 in the economy. Additionally, Nebraska ranks #16 for both housing affordability and cost of living. It leads the nation in labor force participation at #1 and stands at #16 for job growth and #11 in long-term fiscal stability.
Omaha, as the 42nd largest city in the United States, has a population of nearly 1.1 million within a 50-mile radius and plays a significant role in UNO's identity. In 2023, Livability recognized Omaha as one of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S.
Important Application Instructions:
To apply online, please visit https://unomaha.peopleadmin.com/postings/21353 and submit the following application materials:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Statements of research and teaching interests
- Contact information of at least three references (references will only be contacted for finalists)
Applications must be submitted directly through the UNO website to be considered for this position. Any applications submitted via email or this website will not be reviewed or considered.
Review of the applications will begin on October 15, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is January or August 2026. For questions about the position, please contact Dr. Alexey Kamenskiy, Chairperson and CRiB Director, via akamenskiy@unomaha.edu
Benefits:
The University of Nebraska at Omaha proudly offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, with flexible options designed to meet the diverse needs of our faculty and staff. To learn more about our options for medical, vision, dental and other insurances, as well as our generous time off policies and retirement options, please visit https://www.unomaha.edu/human-resources/benefits/index.php
