Director Scientific Research Remote

We’re seeking a senior scientist with a strong track record of NIH or other multi-year grant funding (as PI or MPI) to serve as Scientific Director in the Advocate Aurora Research Institute. This leadership role works in partnership with an administrative director and vice president to oversee and grow our scientific programs, while leading their own area of research. We are particularly interested in senior scientists with developed programs of research in health equity, cancer epidemiology, population health or dissemination and implementation science. If you're a senior research scientist interested in working with talented colleagues in a top health system, we’re looking for you! This role is 100% remote. 

Responsible for scientific leadership within Academic Research, including strategic planning and execution and programmatic guidance for scientific programs and centers, oversight and mentoring of scientists, and pursuit of research collaborations and funding opportunities. This Director will have their own program of research that aligns with Advocate Aurora Health priorities and a strong and consistent record of scientific discovery, scholarly activities and successful funding from federal agencies and private foundations . An experienced scientist and research leader, this individual serves as a leader within Academic Research and will be engaged in strategic discussions with internal stakeholders and will collaborate with our local and national research partners, including our regional CTSA partners, our Academic Core through Wake Forest School of Medicine, and the Health Care Systems Research Network. Strengthens the overall Advocate Aurora Research Institute (AARI) by working effectively with leaders, scientists, investigators and a variety of partners to contribute to the overall success of our research enterprise.

Major Responsibilities:

• Devotes 50% time to their own program of research and 50% time to strategy, oversight and mentoring. Serves as a leader within Academic Research and provides leadership for the group of independent scientists (similar to a Department Chair) and is engaged in long-term strategic planning, including guidance in the implementation of new programs, centers and other initiatives to grow academic research opportunities, funding and productivity.
• In partnership with the VP Administrative Director of Academic Research and Academic Research leaders, establishes priorities for academic research that align with strategic goals of the Advocate Aurora Research Institute and the strengths and priorities of Advocate Aurora Health.
• Leads the scientific oversight of academic research programs and centers. Identifies innovative approaches for improving performance, productivity and external revenue growth. Works with independent scientists and administrative director to develop business plans for research programs and centers.
• Directs and mentors independent research scientists, oversees their productivity and fosters their professional development. Works with research scientists on their individualized development and mentorship plans and leads the promotion and evaluation of research and clinician scientists.
• Directs plans to foster the growth and development of scientists and academic research teams to enhance research capabilities, expand funding opportunities and foster our success in competitive research funding arenas.
• Provides scientific and operational guidance to the Office of Academic Research Support to ensure AARI has the depth and breadth of resources available to optimize research programs and centers and to foster the growth of staff scientists.
• Establishes regular communication with leads in Research Communications to support scientists and ensure the dissemination and visibility of academic research activities.
• Develops strong collaborative relationships with health system leaders, external scientists and organizations (academic medical centers, universities, other research organizations, and research sponsors) to identify, investigate and pursue research opportunities and grow external funding for academic research.
• Identifies and pursues extramural funding opportunities to support their program of research.
• Leads efforts to increase visibility of AARI. Participates on professional committees, at state and national conferences and at other external meetings, and promotes similar activities by independent scientists, to establish AARI presence in academic research networks and organizations. Publishes research papers/manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals.
• Performs human resources responsibilities for independent research scientists which include interviewing and selection of new employees, promotions, staff development, performance evaluations, compensation changes, resolution of employee concerns, corrective actions, terminations, and overall employee morale.
• Works with Administrative Director and Academic Research leaders to recommend operating and capital budgets and control expenditures within approved budget objectives.
• Responsible for understanding and adhering to the organization's Code of Ethical Conduct and for ensuring that personal actions, and the actions of employees supervised, comply with the policies, regulations and laws applicable to the organization's business.

Licensure, Registration and/or Certification Required:

None Required.

Education Required:

Doctorate Degree in Health Science, or Doctorate Degree in Medicine or related field.

Experience Required:

Typically requires 7 years of experience in a health care system or academic environment.  An exemplary record of scientific accomplishments in discovery, extramural grants and publications in respected peer-reviewed journals.

Proven ability to lead and mentor scientists and clinician-investigators. Includes 3 years of management experience in research leadership and at least 7 years as an independent, funded researcher.

Areas of research expertise can include the following: Health Equity, Cancer Epidemiology, Dissemination & Implementation science, Population Health

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Proven experience leading academic research activities, programs, or centers with evidence of measurable success and responsibilities for financial and performance management.
• Demonstrated track record of research funding by federal, state and/or local government agencies, as well as private sources.
• Excellent communication, problem solving and conflict resolution skills; ability to communicate effectively with all levels from executive leaders and senior scientists to investigators, clinicians and team members.
• Strong understanding of the health care environment with excellent analytical and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple, concurrent complex projects and deadlines.
• Firm understanding of budget and research contracting, healthcare data, processes, workflows, and research methodology.
• Strong emotional intelligence and team building skills. Proven abilities to develop and maintain positive relationships with internal and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work with key support functions—legal, communications, IT, development, and finance—to advance research initiatives. 
• Strong working knowledge of regulations and guidelines that govern clinical research, national research policy, external research funding mechanisms, and national research initiatives.

Advocate Aurora Research Institute (AARI) is part of Advocate Health, including Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM) which serves as the academic core of Advocate Health and is among the top 50 research institutions in the United States. Advocate Health (AH) is a large, integrated healthcare delivery system that serves nearly 6 million patients annually and is the fifth largest nonprofit health system in the nation. The health organization is comprised of more than 1,000 care sites and 67 hospitals across 6 states spanning the Southeastern and Midwestern portions of the United States. The expertise, size, and scope of our highly integrated enterprise positions us to be uniquely poised to address barriers and challenges associated with the translation of research into effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of disease.

We are able to hire remote employees in the following states: AL, AK, AR, AZ, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, LA, KS, KY, ME, MI, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WV, WY