Department Chair for Physiology and Pharmacology
 Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences | |
 United States, Iowa, West Des Moines | |
 Aug 13, 2026 | |
|
Department Chair for Physiology and Pharmacology Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences, in partnership with the national search firm Scott Healy & Associates, invites applications and nominations for the position of Department Chair for Physiology and Pharmacology. This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished academic leader to join a collaborative and mission-driven academic community at one of the nations respected medical and health sciences institutions in West Des Moines, Iowa. The Department Chair provides leadership across the full spectrum of departmental activities, including academic administration, curriculum development, faculty affairs, and research. The Chair is responsible for cultivating an environment where faculty and students thrive, ensuring the department remains innovative, collaborative, and aligned with institutional priorities. In this role, the Department Chair will:
The Department Chair role comprises approximately 25% administrative effort, providing significant opportunity to remain actively engaged in the academic life of the department. The remaining appointment is dedicated to faculty responsibilities, including teaching, research, scholarship, and service. Successful candidates will bring a record of academic achievement, leadership, and a commitment to excellence in education and scholarly activity. Faculty rank upon appointment will be determined according to the University's Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Policy; however, candidates are generally expected to meet qualifications consistent with appointment at the Associate Professor or Professor level. DMU also demonstrates a strong and expanding commitment to research and graduate education, including one of only seven osteopathic medical schools nationally that offers a combined DO-PhD program. This distinction underscores the universitys investment in training physician-scientists and advancing biomedical discovery alongside clinical education. In recognition of this growing research enterprise, DMU has recently received Carnegie recognition for the continued growth and impact of its research activity. Qualifications:
Required Skills:
About Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences: Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences has upheld a rich legacy of teaching, learning and service since 1898. Today, it is a premier medical and health sciences education institution comprising three colleges offering 11 graduate degree programs. The programs share a collective strength - a collaborative campus community where students and faculty come together in the pursuit of knowledge and innovation. With a strong foundation in educating exceptional health care professionals and delivering outstanding patient care through the Des Moines University Clinic, the university continues to create opportunities for future leaders and health care experts. DMU combines the scale and resources of a comprehensive health sciences institution with the personalized attention that helps students thrive. More than 880 students are pursuing the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree, and over 1,500 students are enrolled across the universitys 11 academic programs. DMU fosters collaboration across its teaching, research, and service initiatives, from advanced simulation labs to the clinical programs at Des Moines University Clinic, all with a shared focus on advancing knowledge and improving lives. The university also demonstrates a strong commitment to student success, awarding more than $5.5 million in scholarships annually and supporting a robust alumni network of more than 16,000 graduates, including over 3,100 currently based in Iowa. Current Degree Offerings: College of Health Sciences
College of Osteopathic Medicine
College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
State-of-the-Art Facilities
About the College of Osteopathic Medicine: The College of Osteopathic Medicine at DMU is committed to preparing highly competent and compassionate health care professionals, educators, researchers and scholars who are equipped to improve lives locally and globally. Grounded in a whole-person approach to care, the college emphasizes collaboration, innovation and evidence-based education across its graduate programs in osteopathic medicine, anatomy and biomedical sciences. Students benefit from a learning environment that values mentorship, accessibility and academic excellence, supported by small student-to-faculty ratios that foster meaningful engagement and individualized support. With more than 30 faculty members representing a broad range of academic, clinical and research expertise, the College of Osteopathic Medicine offers a dynamic and interdisciplinary environment for teaching, scholarship and professional growth. Faculty are actively engaged in research initiatives with broad medical impact and provide students with opportunities to contribute to scholarly projects, publish findings and present at regional and national conferences. Academic departments span both the basic and clinical sciences, including Anatomy; Behavioral Medicine, Medical Humanities and Bioethics; Biochemistry and Nutrition; Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology; Physiology and Pharmacology; Primary Care; and Specialty Medicine, creating a collaborative setting that supports innovation in health professions education and research. The College of Osteopathic Medicine is also home toone of the few Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine-PhD (DO-PhD) pathwaysavailable in the US as well asa stand-alone PhD in Biomedical Sciences program. The PhD program is designed to prepare future biomedical scientists, and in conjunction with DMUs doctoral programs in medicine and podiatry, to train graduates with a broad and integrated foundation across biochemistry, molecular genetics, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, microbiology, and immunology. A defining feature of the program is its significant overlap with the medical curriculum, allowing PhD students to engage in clinically relevant learning and apply foundational science directly to human health and disease. Faculty across disciplines are actively engaged in collaborative, high-impact research, providing robust mentorship and opportunities for students to contribute to scholarly publications and presentations. Additional information can be found here. About the Physiology and Pharmacology Department: The Physiology and Pharmacology Department educates and trains medical and graduate students while advancing medical knowledge through research and scholarly activity. The department is committed to fostering an environment grounded in excellence, intellectual freedom, integrity, service and diversity. Faculty and students benefit from a collaborative and academically rigorous culture that values ethical and scholarly inquiry, continuous improvement, respect for diverse perspectives and the responsible stewardship of resources. About the Community: West Des Moines, Iowa, home to DMUs campus, offers a thriving metropolitan atmosphere and a diverse community of nearly 700,000. It is a city suburb just over 10 miles from the vibrant downtown center of Des Moines, Iowas capital. The region is home to 12 colleges and universities and nearly 300 houses of worship representing 79 different denominations or faiths. Living in the Greater Des Moines area means having access to a variety of recreational opportunities. Miles of bike paths, numerous lakes and over 130 parks provide ample opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. The area is known for its safe neighborhoods, excellent public schools and family-oriented events, attractions and programs. As one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the Midwest, Des Moines beams with community pride and accolades. The region also offers a thriving arts and cultural scene, with live music, theater and arts events. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy cheering on local teams and the area hosts vibrant cultural festivals, farmers markets and shopping options. With a low cost of living, an abundance of employment opportunities and a high standard of living, the Greater Des Moines is an exceptional place to call home. To learn more about our fantastic community, explore the following resources:
Application and Nomination Process: All correspondence relating to the position of Department Chair for Physiology and Pharmacology at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences should be directed in confidence to the Universitys executive search consultant: Danan Tsan, Vice President Scott Healy & Associates danan@scotthealy.com A complete application should include the following:
Applications received by September 25, 2026 will receive priority consideration. The search will remain open until the position is filled. Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, veteran status, genetic information and other characteristics protected by law (protected class). recblid l4o76cici2kqhe0p2jr6okqzehmu3x | |