Salary/Position Classification

• $240,000+ commensurate with experience annual
• This position will work onsite the Grand Forks, ND campus.

Purpose of Position

The Department of Pathology at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences (UND SMHS) is recruiting innovative, academically oriented, forensic pathologists in a unique regional forensic and autopsy practice. Our caseload is very manageable with approximately 400 autopsies shared among three pathologists. There is strong comradery and congeniality within the office; we desire people who value a respectful and supportive workplace and help each other achieve personal greatness. An ACGME fellowship was just approved and will be combined with the opportunity for the fellow to obtain an MPH with an additional year of commitment. There is no general surgical pathology or hospital AP/CP associated with this position. “On call” for the forensic pathologist refers to consulting with death investigators while scheduled on call. Scene response is not required by the forensic pathologist unless under very rare circumstances the forensic pathologist feels the need to attend. There is no physical weekend or holiday call, only phone coverage. The position is a unique opportunity to build a strong and innovative pathology practice dedicated to excellence in death investigation, forensic and autopsy, and specialty areas of pathology. Excellent relationships exist between ND pathology groups, local government, and law enforcement communities. Our office receives strong support from these agencies who also value and support our total objectivity and independence. The facility is less than 10 years old, spacious and currently applying for National Association of Medical Examiners accreditation. We want to advance the practice of forensic pathology, incorporating electronic reporting, the use of paraprofessionals, and integration into public health and safety monitoring for the community with the development of electronic reporting and data collection.

Grand Forks is a low-crime, safe and family-oriented community with a very reasonable cost of living, allowing the applicant to concentrate on public health, research, including forensics, health outcomes, and rural healthcare, particularly with Native American populations and new Americans. There is a low homicide rate, reducing time in court and testimony. We are committed to each pathologist’s career development and advancement of the profession. The cost of living in Grand Forks is low with excellent schools, and an abundance of outdoor activities with parks, miles of dual-use trails, community fitness centers including indoor hockey, an indoor waterpark, and a community golf course. All the advantages of college culture are present with arts, sports, and a wide variety of clubs and interest groups.

Benefits: Includes single or family health care coverage (premiums paid for by the university), basic life insurance, EAP, retirement plan, and tuition waiver. Optional Benefits Available: supplemental life, dental, vision, flexible spending account, supplemental retirement plans.

Duties & Responsibilities

Education/Teaching:

• Contribute to the full range of teaching responsibilities of the Department of Pathology: Teach, advise and mentor a wide variety of students, including, but not limited to, medical, health science, MPH, graduate, and other students as assigned including professional students and paraprofessionals involved in death investigation and related disciplines.
• Participate in ongoing curriculum development, review, and improvement within the medical curriculum.
• Develop and deliver interdisciplinary educational activities. Learners and trainees will include medical and health science professional students, MPH students, peers, undergraduate, and K-12 students as well as multiple agencies and individuals involved in death investigation and forensic practice.
• Participate in online and in-person death investigation training.

Clinical Service:

• Performance of medical legal and medical autopsies for most regional hospitals.
• Participation and development of regional medical legal death investigation system.
• Participation in quality management of autopsy and forensic practice including preparation and maintaining accreditation, conferences, disaster planning, and workgroups/committees as assigned.
• Other sub-specialty pathology practice (neuropath, pediatric) if qualified and assigned (optional).

Research/Scholarly Activity:

• Collaborate or initiate research within pathology and forensic medicine/science.
• Effectively communicate findings in peer-reviewed journals and professional presentations.
• Participate in public health and funding opportunities relating to medicolegal death investigation, and public and population health as opportunities arise.

Service:

• Contribute to medical legal death investigation within the region; service to UND and North Dakota within areas of professional expertise. 

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be eligible for physician licensure in ND, MN, and SD and maintain physician licensure in these states for employment.
• M.D. or D.O. Degree. International equivalent degrees, satisfactory for licensure in MN, ND, and SD may be considered on an individual basis.
• Board certification by the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic Pathology or Anatomic and Clinical Pathology. If indicated, subspecialty certification, such as Forensic Pathology, Pediatric, or Neuropathology, must be obtained within three years of hire. If physician licensure within ND and MN is met, consideration for equivalent pathology and forensic board certification, such as the Royal College or similar national certification agencies.
• Demonstrated experience, interest, and commitment to teaching at the undergraduate medical and forensic fellowship level.
• Demonstrated ability to perform medico-legal autopsies and death investigations independently and to the standards of office and national organizations.
• Valid (MN or ND) driver’s license, obtain and maintain to have ability to drive and travel independently.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Board certification in Forensic Pathology by the American Board of Pathology.
• Experience in medicolegal death investigation systems; commitment to development and excellence of medicolegal death scene investigations.
• Experience in an academic setting, mentoring, working with students, fellows, and other trainees.
• Experience/participation in public health and epidemiology projects.
• Prior peer-reviewed publications.
• Interest/experience in education at various levels from public to professional.
• Committed to respecting co-workers and clients. Appreciation of diversity and cultural respect for all people.
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal, writing, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize, interpret and integrate findings from disparate sources.
• Demonstrated to be a self-starter and collaborative team player.
• Effectively communicate with families, law enforcement, physicians, attorneys, public health officers, and others within the broad scope of medicolegal death investigation.

To Apply

To assure full consideration, applications must be received by 10/20/2025 and include the following materials:
• Letter of interest
• Current curriculum vitae
• Contact information for three professional references

Position is open until filled.