Opportunity Details
Department of Neurosurgery
Tenure
Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor / Associate Professor / Professor – Tenure Track Faculty Position – Functional Neurosurgeon-Scientist
The Taylor Family Department of Neurosurgery at Washington University in St. Louis is seeking a visionary and innovative Functional Neurosurgeon-Scientist to have a leading role in directing and expanding our distinguished and well-established epilepsy and neuromodulation programs and enhancing the department’s robust functional research program. The clinical program has developed into a high-volume, leading-edge practice in epilepsy surgery, deep brain stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation, focused ultrasound, and stereotactic radiosurgery, and is a strategic priority for future growth. There is deep commitment from our affiliated health system and institutional support for clinical expansion and innovative research. The vision for this program extends beyond established functional procedures to areas like brain computer interfaces, vagus nerve stimulation for depression and stroke recovery, deep brain stimulation for depression and other psychiatric disorders, sonobiopsy, and neurostimulation for pain.
The surgical program is well-supported by WashU epilepsy and movement disorders neurologists. The adult epilepsy section of neurology includes nine faculty members, including a recently recruited chief with great clinical, operational, and academic expertise. To support clinical growth and academic expansion, the section will be recruiting two additional epileptologists. The institution’s comprehensive epilepsy center is classified as Level 4 and is a certified Center of Excellence. It is the largest epilepsy surgery center in the region with a recently expanded 12- bed epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU). The movement disorder section of neurology includes 16 faculty members, including four specializing in advanced neuromodulation, with plans to recruit three additional faculty members. Additionally, four pediatric movement disorder neurologists, including two specialists in neuromodulation, support movement disorder programs. Notable programs within the movement disorder section include the Advanced Center for Parkinson’s Research, one of eight such centers in the nation, and the Huntington’s Disease Center of Excellence as designated by the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. The movement disorder section is led by a new chief who is nationally recognized for clinical and research excellence. Building on this superb clinical infrastructure the health care system has committed to a massive expansion in neuroscience, which will substantially expand infrastructure and resources to enable functional neurosurgery to continue to expand clinical volumes and enable treatments for future indications for the coming decades.
In addition to leading the clinical programs, there is a tremendous opportunity and resources available for you to establish and expand your research program within the department’s Division of Neurotechnology – a dynamic multi-investigator research ecosystem established within the Department of Neurosurgery in 2019. The Division is a nationally recognized leader in developing next-generation solutions that engage directly with the nervous system to treat complex neurological and neurosurgical diseases. Comprising over ten faculty members with numerous NIH-funded laboratories, the Division brings together an exceptional breadth of expertise spanning brain-computer interfaces, advanced brain mapping, minimally invasive laser surgery, and innovative neuromodulation strategies. This dynamic ecosystem uniquely empowers functional neurosurgeons to translate pioneering technologies—from implantable devices to non-invasive therapies—into patient care and high-impact research. By integrating engineering, translational trials, and clinical deployment, the Division of Neurotechnology dramatically amplifies the academic reach, funding potential, and innovative capacity of any surgeon committed to redefining what’s possible in functional neurosurgery.
The Department of Neurosurgery at WashU Medicine has grown significantly in volume, workforce, and national recognition over the last six years, under the leadership of its chair, Dr. Gregory Zipfel. With a #6 NIH funding ranking, the department’s high-impact research program helps bring the most cutting-edge and novel therapies from the lab to the bedside and differentiates WashU Medicine globally. Additionally, WashU Medicine Neurosurgery believes strongly in the value of multidisciplinary care and has fostered robust scientific and clinical partnerships with other departments like neurology, psychiatry, and others.
Required qualifications include the completion of a residency in a U.S. neurosurgery training program, board certification or eligibility in neurosurgery, and completion of a functional neurosurgery fellowship.
The ideal candidate will have expertise in cutting-edge functional neurosurgery and a desire to push the field forward through innovative research and novel treatments with a vision for their own research program and the ability to secure extramural funding. The ability to build a multi-faceted functional practice in close collaboration with allied departments including neurology and psychiatry and our affiliated hospital system are essential for success. Candidates should also possess the clinical, scientific, and strategic vision to build and contribute to a leading-edge multi-disciplinary Neuromodulation Center with a passion for academic neurosurgery, including a strong interest in training the next generation of functional neurosurgeons.
5/12/2025
No end date
EEO Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.
Washington University is dedicated to building a community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.