The University of Arizona

Chair, Department of Translational Neurosciences
Department: College of Medicine – Phoenix
Employment classification: Appointed
Position type: Professional
Expected Salary: Commensurate with AAMC public school benchmark
FTE: 1.0
Reports to: Dean, College of Medicine – Phoenix
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Documents required with this application: Letter of Interest; Curriculum Vitae

Position Summary:

The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix (UA CoM-P) is seeking an inaugural Chair for its new Department of Translational Neurosciences (TNS). TNS will be a novel medical school department, one that actively bridges basic science and clinical medicine through innovative collaborative research programs. The Chair will have the opportunity to create the overarching vision and, through strategic leadership, to build a center of translational neuroscience excellence. The Department Chair will have resources to recruit TNS faculty who will enhance our University of Arizona Health Sciences (UAHS) scientific community. We seek a visionary leader with expertise in molecular, cellular, or genetic approaches to neuroscience whose research is motivated by the challenges of nervous system disorders and directed toward advancing clinical care and improving human health in the foreseeable future.

UA CoM-P is a young, rapidly growing college, connected by proximity and collaboration to a network of renowned clinical and basic science partners in the Phoenix metropolitan area (Valley of the Sun) and across the state of Arizona. These include the Banner-University Medical Center Phoenix, the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium, Barrow Neurological Institute, Banner Alzheimer's Institute, Phoenix Children's Hospital, as well as Graduate Programs in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience at Arizona State University and University of Arizona. Within the University of Arizona, the College of Pharmacy, BIO5 Institute, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute and Center for Innovation in Brain Science are outstanding strategic partners. The Chair will foster and strengthen this network to create a distinctive hub for translational neuroscience with widespread impact.

Of particular interest for the Chair of TNS position are applicants with any of the following:

• Research portfolio focused on molecular, cellular, and/or genetic approaches to neuroscience. Examples of foci include:
• Neurodevelopmental disorders
• Neuropsychiatric disorders
• Disorders of the aging brain
• Expertise in use of cutting-edge technologies, including, but not exclusive to, patient-specific iPSC lines, CRISPR-Cas9, and in vivo brain imaging.
• Development and use of new animal models for disorders of the nervous system.
• Expertise in drug discovery or device development, including advancing to clinical trials;
• Knowledge of intellectual property issues in biomedical research (e.g., patent applications, working with industry partners).
• History of productive collaborations with both physicians and basic scientists.
• For physician candidates, clinically active in specialty

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctoral degree(s) (PhD and/or MD, or equivalent) from an accredited institution
• Eligible for a University of Arizona academic appointment at the full Professor level.
• Demonstrated track-record of national/international distinction in research discovery in an academic or comparable environment.
• Established and continuing independent NIH-funded or equivalent sponsored-research portfolio and evidence of high impact scientific research including peer-reviewed journal publications.
• Demonstrated experience in research leadership, and management expertise, in a department, division, or equivalent, in the field of neuroscience.
• Evidence of successful and generous mentoring of trainees and junior colleagues.
• Evidence of successful program building beyond one's own research group.
• If a physician, eligible for unrestricted medical licensure in the State of Arizona and board certified in specialty.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to foster an environment of biomedical innovation, including cross-disciplinary collaborations.
• Successful track record of recruitment and development of outstanding faculty and trainees.
• A record of solid performance as a skilled leader with the ability to grow revenues, meet budgets, measure and improve productivity and outcomes, and undertake appropriate administrative strategies to achieve division, department, and/or enterprise, goals.

The chair reports directly to the Dean of the College of Medicine – Phoenix for all academic activities. The chair will work in close collaboration and partnership with leadership across the CoM-P, UAHS, and the network of clinical and research partners in the Greater Phoenix area.

In collaboration with UA CoM-P leadership, the chair will provide oversight of the following areas:

• Administrative
• Define the mission and vision of the inaugural department.
• Effective management of an active program of independent, extramurally funded research in translational neurosciences.
• Research
• Develop and implement a programmatic plan to achieve national distinction in neurosciences.
• Recruit outstanding scientists to the Department
• Be responsible for the development and thematic alignment of current neuroscience investigators and laboratories at UA CoM-P
• Identify avenues for translation of basic science findings to human health with clinical affiliates.
• Promote synergy with extant programs and centers in the greater Phoenix and Arizona communities in neurodegeneration, neurogenomics, neuroimaging, neuro-oncology, and the neurology/neurosurgery clinical departments.
• Partner with Tech Launch Arizona to identify intellectual property opportunities and develop diagnostic and therapeutic innovations.
• Education
• Contribute to the didactic education and professional training of UA CoM-P medical students
• Strengthen innovative graduate neuroscience education and research-training programs at UA CoM-P
• Be a resource for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery resident training
• Faculty Affairs and mentorship
• Be responsible for the recruitment, supervision, and retention of translational neuroscience faculty.
• Mentor junior faculty to enhance extramural funding and collaborative activities.
• Finances and budget
• Be responsible for ensuring the fiscal accountability and sustainability of the department working with the College Finance Office
• Diversity and inclusion
• Be responsible for encouraging and supporting diversity among a department's constituents, creating an environment of professionalism, respect, tolerance, and acceptance and work in partnership with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

Information about the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix

The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix anchors the 28-acre Phoenix Biomedical Campus in the heart of the Valley of the Sun. The College inspires and trains individuals to become exemplary physicians, scientists and leaders who are life-long learners and inquisitive scholars. We embrace professionalism, innovation, and collaboration to optimize health and health care for all. The Phoenix Biomedical Campus embodies the University's priorities of engagement, partnership, innovation and synergy in its world-class academic and research initiatives, with clinical facilities throughout Greater Phoenix. The campus also houses the UA Colleges of Public Health, Pharmacy, and Nursing, as well as Northern Arizona University's College of Health and Human Services, the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and the International Genomics Consortium.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; state and optional retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been listed by Forbes as one of America's Best Employers in the United States and WorldatWork and the Arizona Department of Health Services have recognized us for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona, please visit: http://www.whyua.arizona.edu/

To view this job posting and to apply, please visit: https://uacareers.com/postings/26190

At the University of Arizona, we value our inclusive climate because we know that diversity in experiences and perspectives are vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, solving complex problems, and creating an inclusive academic community. We translate these values into action by seeking individuals who have experience and expertise working with diverse students, colleagues, and constituencies. Because we seek a workforce with diverse perspectives and experiences, we encourage minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply. As an Employer of National Service, we also welcome alumni of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service programs.

The University of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity Employer providing equal opportunity for women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.