Description

Assistant Professor/Associate Professor

Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine

Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

The Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the Emory University Department of Pediatrics invite applications for a faculty position in Immune Dysregulation at the Assistant or Associate Professor level.

The Immune Dysregulation Program is among the nation’s leading programs dedicated to the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of immune dysregulation, hyperinflammatory, and multisystem autoimmune disorders, including very early onset and treatment-refractory autoimmunity. The program integrates expertise from hematology/oncology, allergy/immunology, rheumatology, infectious diseases, gastroenterology, and intensive care in a truly multidisciplinary model, supported by a dedicated genetic counselor and program coordinator.

Position Description
We seek a clinician with fellowship training and board certification or eligibility in either Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Allergy/Immunology, Rheumatology, or Infectious Disease, who is passionate about advancing care for children and young adults with immune dysregulation disorders.

The successful candidate will join a vibrant interdisciplinary team with established collaborations across clinical divisions at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. This is a clinical faculty position, and research commitment is flexible depending on the candidate’s experience and interests. Academic rank and track will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Program Highlights

• One of the largest clinical and translational programs in immune dysregulation in the U.S., with >1,100 patients in follow-up and 250–300 new referrals per year.
• Comprehensive evaluation and management of patients with disorders including but not limited to HLH, refractory immune cytopenias, atypical lymphoproliferation, immune-oncology, immunohematology disorders, very early-onset and refractory IBD, refractory rheumatologic disease, IEI being considered for HSCT, and neuroinflammatory disorders.
• A dedicated CRISIS Team (Critical Dysregulation of the Immune System in Sick Kids), a multidisciplinary initiative focused on early identification, management, and research in severe immune dysregulation or hyperinflammatory syndromes (e.g., HLH, MAS, immune-mediated organ failure) in critically ill patients.
• In collaboration with Neuroimmunology program we have a Neuro-CRISIS team to improve care of acute neuroinflammatory disorders.
• One of the largest HSCT programs for immune dysregulation disorders and IEI in the U.S.
• A robust biorepository of over 1,000 subjects, enabling high-impact translational and biomarker discovery studies.
• Ten active clinical trials, including targeted therapies, gene therapy, and cell-based therapy studies (CAR-T and other immune-modulating approaches) for immune dysregulation disorders and IEI, with robust clinical and translational research infrastructure.
• Established collaborations with multiple subspecialties, including Allergy/Immunology, Rheumatology, Gastroenterology, Critical Care, Hepatology, Pulmonology, Nephrology, Dermatology, and Neuroimmunology.
• Active participation in national research networks, including PIDTC.
• Ongoing development of a Southeast Immune Dysregulation Consortium and a planned Immune Dysregulation Fellowship Program.

Responsibilities

• Provide inpatient and outpatient care for children and young adults with complex immune dysregulation disorders.
• Mentor trainees and contribute to medical education at the fellowship and residency levels.
• Participate and lead developing SOP, protocols and tool kits for screening, evaluation and management of different aspects of care of immune      dysregulation disorders.
• Participate in program outreach activities.
• Participate in/ develop investigator-initiated and multi-center clinical trials.
• Develop and lead clinical or translational research projects in immune dysregulation, cellular therapy, or immunogenetics.

Institutional Strengths

• The Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center is one of the largest pediatric hematology/oncology programs in the nation, caring for over 9,000 children annually and performing approximately 80 stem cell transplants each year.
• In 2024, Aflac investigators received over $30 million in extramural funding, including $17 million from the NIH.
• Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide unparalleled opportunities for research collaboration in immunology, genomics, immunoengineering, and translational research.
• The Children’s Center for Advanced Therapeutics and GMP Facility support innovation in cellular and gene therapy trials.

Requirements

Qualifications

•       MD, or DO
•       Board-certified or board-eligible in either Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Allergy/Immunology, Rheumatology, or Infectious Disease
•       Eligible for medical licensure in the state of Georgia
•       Demonstrated excellence in clinical care, teaching, and/or research

Preferred (but not required) Qualifications: One or more would be desirable

•       Experience (6- 12 months) in the clinical care of patients with immune dysregulation disorders (e.g., through rotations, electives, or early career work).
•       Active participation in activities through the Clinical Immunology Society (CIS), CIS Summer School, or other relevant immunology-focused educational        or scholarly programs.
•       Engagement in research or scholarly work related to immune dysregulation during fellowship or early career training.
•       Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.
•       Interest in developing a career in academic pediatrics, with openness to mentorship and growth opportunities.

Application Process
Applicants should submit the following materials:

•       Curriculum vitae
•       Statement of clinical interests
•       Contact information for three professional references

Please send application materials to:

Shanmuganathan Chandrakasan, MD
Director, Immune Dysregulation and Immune Hematology Programs
Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine

Schan31@emory.edu