Research Director

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

The UNC School of Medicine has a rich tradition of excellence and care. Our mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of North Carolinians, and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education, and research. We strive to promote faculty, staff, and learner development in a diverse, respectful environment where our colleagues demonstrate professionalism, enhance learning, and create personal and professional sustainability. We optimize our partnership with the UNC Health System through close collaboration and commitment to service.

OUR VISION
Our vision is to be the nation's leading public school of medicine. We are ranked 2nd in primary care education among all US schools of medicine and 5th among public peers in NIH research funding. Our Allied Health Department is home to five top-ranked divisions, and we are home to 18 top-ranked clinical and basic science departments in NIH research funding.

OUR MISSION
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education, and research.

Patient Care: We will promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.

Education: We will prepare tomorrow's health care professionals and biomedical researchers by facilitating learning within innovative curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education. We will cultivate outstanding teaching and research faculty, and we will recruit outstanding students and trainees from highly diverse backgrounds to create a socially responsible, highly skilled workforce.

Research: We will develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers, and resources. We will provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our University to support outstanding research. We will foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic, and population research.

The Director of Research will be responsible for leading the research enterprise of the UNC School of Medicine Department of Surgery. This entails partnering with the Chair, Vice Chair for Research, Associate Chair for Administration and others to develop a strategic vision for research in the department along with developing and implementing a robust administrative structure, overseeing all non-faculty research positions, ensuring sound policies and procedures are in place to comply with federal, university, and school requirements, and monitoring financial performance for our research efforts among other duties. The UNC Department of Surgery has growing basic, translational, clinical trials, and health services research, including the UNC Surgical Health Services Research Center ( USHER). The department increased its NIH funding by 46% in the most recent measurement period rising to 29th in the Blue Ridge rankings for departments of Surgery with over $7M in funding.

A successful Director of Research will need to be open and receptive to ideas from faculty, learners, research staff, and colleagues outside of the department of Surgery. They will identify opportunities for growth and areas of concern, advocate for the resources needed to complete the work accurately, efficiently, and develop systems that minimize human error and waste. The Department of Surgery regularly partners with other groups inside and outside the School of Medicine. The Director of Research will be expected to cultivate and expand partnerships with those groups.

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity, will accept a relevant Bachelor's degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. May require terminal degree and licensure.

Requires previous experience as a research manager, including managing personnel, research space, research budgets and contracts, extramural grant submissions, and vendor/industry relations. Experience managing a funded research program is required. This could be a basic or translational laboratory, clinical trial, multi-site health services research study, or national database study. Personal experience (as a research assistant, study coordinator in the past) conducting research procedures is required.

Experience with multiple stakeholders (e.g., cancer center, clinical trials office, university research office, community partner organizations, government agencies) is desirable. Grant management experience is desirable. Experience managing other managers is a plus. Experience working with learners (residents, fellows, students). Those with previous experience in research leadership experience and a terminal degree will have preference.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.