Nazarbayev University (NU), established in 2010, is the leading research-intensive university in Central Asia and an English-medium institution committed to academic excellence, innovation, and global engagement. Designed in partnership with world-renowned universities including the University of Cambridge, Duke University, National University of Singapore, University College London, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison, NU combines international academic standards with a dynamic and rapidly growing research environment.

Located in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, Nazarbayev University serves as a hub for education, research, and innovation in the Eurasian region. Kazakhstan offers a unique blend of modern infrastructure, economic development, cultural diversity, and excellent connectivity to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Nazarbayev University School of Medicine (NUSOM) was established in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and welcomed its first MD students in 2015. Since then, NUSOM has developed into a rapidly growing academic medical institution offering undergraduate, graduate, residency, and doctoral programs. The School is committed to advancing medical education, biomedical research, and healthcare innovation to improve the health and well-being of populations in Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and beyond.

NUSOM is home to an internationally diverse faculty and student body and provides a collaborative academic environment that supports excellence in teaching, research, and clinical practice. Faculty members benefit from access to modern research laboratories, extensive institutional support for research and grant development, and a state-of-the-art Simulation Center spanning more than 5,000 square meters, one of the largest and most advanced facilities of its kind in the region.

The Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences is focused to advance cutting-edge biological and biomedical sciences, molecular medicine, and novel therapeutics discovery. Using NU’s world-class research assets, including the Vivarium, the National Laboratory Astana (NLA) platforms, and central core facilities, the research from the Department will generate intellectual properties that leads to startup formation and collaboration with multi-national companies The Department will also train innovators and physician-researchers who will contribute to the building of biotechnology ecosystem in Astana.

The Head of Department (HoD) provides strategic, academic, and administrative leadership for their respective department within the School of Medicine. The HOD serves as the primary liaison between the department’s faculty and the broader institutional administration. The role requires a balance of visionary leadership, administrative excellence, and a deep commitment to medical education, research, and clinical delivery. 

Key Responsibilities and Core Competencies:

1. Strategic & Institutional Leadership

• Vision and Strategy: Formulate and execute a long-term strategic plan for the department that aligns with the overarching goals of the School of Medicine.
• Culture of Excellence: Foster an environment of high ethical standards, academic integrity, and clinical excellence, serving as a role model for faculty, residents, and students alike.
• Administrative Partnership: Act as a collaborative link between departmental faculty and upper administration (Dean’s and Provost’s office), ensuring transparent communication of policies, institutional directives, and strategic shifts.
• Policy Implementation: Ensure full compliance with institutional bylaws, guidelines, and directives issued by the offices of both the Dean and the Provost.
• Reporting and Accountability: Provide timely and accurate data, annual reports, and review metrics requested by institutional leadership to support university-wide planning.

2. Faculty Management & Personnel Leadership

• Recruitment and Retention: Attract, hire, and retain high-caliber clinical and academic faculty who diversify and strengthen the department’s capabilities.
• Performance Evaluation: Conduct annual performance reviews, setting clear, measurable benchmarks for clinical productivity, teaching impact, and research output.
• Conflict Resolution: Proactively manage internal grievances, promote a culture of transparency, and resolve
interpersonal or professional conflicts constructively.
• Motivation and Recognition: Establish departmental recognition mechanisms to celebrate faculty milestones, grant awards, clinical breakthroughs, and teaching distinctions, sustaining high morale.

3. Faculty Development & Professional Growth

• Mentorship Pathways: Design and maintain structured mentorship frameworks pairing junior faculty with senior colleagues to accelerate career progression.

• Promotion and Tenure Guidance: Provide clear, continuous counseling regarding institutional tracks for
promotion, tenure, and clinical advancement, assisting faculty in building robust dossiers to ensure fairness and transparency.
• Continuous Professional Development: Support faculty participation in fellowships, medical conferences,
leadership academies, and advanced certifications to keep the department at the cutting edge of life sciences and medicine.

• Demonstrated leadership with national/international professional impact in his/her field in terms of scholarly contributions and roles in peer organizations
• Earned doctoral degree in basic science or medicine or the equivalent
• Achievement of effective teaching and research skills

Application Process

Applicants should submit:

• A letter of interest, listing teaching and research achievements;
• Curriculum vitae;
• Contact information for three professional references.

Application Deadline: September 21, 2026

Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Recruitment and selection process
Recruitment and selection at Nazarbayev University include the following process: preliminary selection based on experience and qualifications, assessments (e.g. technical skills/capabilities, aptitude, personality, work samples, in-basket exercises, and informal interviews), and motivation.

Formal interviews form the final stage of the selection process.
They are typically based on organizational values and behaviors and conducted in English.
You are encouraged to share your views and values  to identify how they fit into  Nazarbayev University core values