As a new faculty member adjusting to a new position and launching an academic career can seem overwhelming. The Department of Pathology and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (UPSOM) provides many resources to help you choose a pathway to academic success and career growth. The traditional Faculty Pathways (see below) emphasize different aspects of the academic mission: education, clinical service, and investigation. You can be successful in many ways, from becoming a leading clinician to a leading funded investigator. The Department of Pathology and UPSOM also recognize those who excel as educators and/or administrators. The majority of faculty participate in all three missions, excelling in two or three areas.
It is not expected that you will know your career pathway right away. Your mentor/mentoring committee and the myriad university and hospital resources can be used to facilitate to your success. For several Faculty Pathways both tenure stream and appointment stream (i.e., non-tenure) tracks are available. A tenure stream pathway emphasizes greater independence in building new research, clinical or educational program(s), most often with a focus on scholarly accomplishments with respect to publications, presentations and grant support. The appointment stream pathway is generally more balanced between clinical work, publications, teaching, and administration with less emphasis or expectation for grant support. Along with the resources listed below, your Division Chief, Chair and/or mentor/mentoring team will assist you with planning, executing, and reaching your early career goals. These include selecting or adjusting your pathway and assembling a portfolio that will provide for successful promotion.
An overview of professional development opportunities and programs supported by the Health Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh.
The Pathology faculty includes investigators of all academic ranks whose projects span nearly every aspect of human health and disease. The faculty list provides starting point for identification of mentors and collaborators.
Meeting once a month for 10 months, this professional development program addresses issues and challenges important for academic leadership. Letters of nomination are usually due in December for the upcoming year.
Resources for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the school of medicine
Resources for the different needs of our diverse community.
ASIP is a professional society whose members investigate mechanisms of disease.
Refer to this link for information on the CV format and documentation required for tenure stream and non-tenure stream promotions.
Updated March 2021
Graduates will have access to a continuing Career Mentoring Program CaMP.
By Dr. Iris Schrijver, Stanford University
A grant program for Assistant and Associate Professors, whose primary focus is research (basic and clinical), to assist with personal responsibilities outside of work.
The Q&A is most illuminating.
For questions or suggestions concerning resources targeting junior faculty in general and faculty with a clinical research emphasis, contact Darrell Triulzi. Physician-scientists or basic science researchers may also wish to contact Charleen Chu or Andy Duncan. Clinician-educators may contact Beth Clark or Marie DeFrances.