Research Center Director for Precision Medicine and Genomics

The Children's National Research Institute (CNRI) is seeking applications for a newly vacated position of Director, Center for Precision Medicine and Genomics Research (CPMGR). CPMGR is known nationally and internationally for its translational multidisciplinary research in genetics, genomics, systems biology and biochemistry of rare and common pediatric disorders (http://childrensnational.org/research-and-education/center-for-genetic-medicine-research). CPMGR hosts sophisticated genomics, proteomics and molecular imaging cores and is currently home to more than 50 multidisciplinary investigators. The successful candidate who will become the A. James Clark Distinguished Professor of Molecular Genetics will have a doctoral (MD and/or PhD or equivalent) degree and a track record of accomplishments suitable for the academic rank of tenured Full Professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine. He/she will be expected to have demonstrated high quality research, which has attracted extensive extramural peer-reviewed funding and published in high impact journals. In addition, the candidate would have demonstrated leadership skills and a track record of successful mentoring and training of junior scientists. Preferred areas of research focus include but are not limited to precision medicine, genetics, genomics, gene therapy, pharmacogenomics, bioinformatics, systems biology applicable to any areas of medicine, preferably pediatric diseases. A generous package of support and laboratory space will be provided for the successful candidate to allow his/her research and the center's programs to thrive in a nurturing academic and clinical environment.

The Director of the Center for Precision Medicine and Genomics Research will engage, lead and energize the science community of Children's National Research Institute (CNRI) at Children's National Hospital (Children's National) to build new initiatives and collaborations both across and outside of the organization. The Director will identify strategic priorities for investment and provide leadership in precision medicine and genomics research, scholarship, education and assume responsibility for all facets of the Center's finance and administration. The Center Director will be responsible to identify areas of strategic importance in precision medicine and genomics research, collaborate to identify and recruit talented and diverse faculty in key areas, to enhance resources for existing faculty and trainees, mentorship, fostering faculty engagement with organization's strategic research initiatives, and advancing innovation in research, education, and outreach. Will plan, direct, and otherwise foster new interdisciplinary initiatives, including research, education and training, and/or outreach initiatives across precision medicine and genomics. Such initiatives are designed to engage multiple disciplines and divisions, departments, administrators, and personnel throughout Children's National. Will assess new opportunities for the research community arising from rapidly evolving developments in the field. Will develop comprehensive annual and long-range budgets and plans consistent with the Center's objectives; implement annual reviews and performance reporting for the center as a whole. Will identify and assess new opportunities for the research community arising from rapidly evolving developments in precision medicine and genomics research and this will involve working closely with faculty and other Centers and Institutes as well as external collaborators such as the GWU School of Medicine and Health Sciences, to foster collaboration and information sharing. Will work with the leadership and the foundation to identify and foster new relationships with prospective funders; work with staff to prepare proposals, development stewardship, and reports to funders. Will foster the establishment of new partnerships with industry and biotechnology in order to develop novel research tools and translate research discoveries into knowledge in the service of society.

Minimum Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Or M.D. (Required)
Medical Doctor (M.D.) Or Ph.D. (Required)

Minimum Work Experience
10 years Prior experience of leading a sponsored program funded research program.
Demonstrated excellence and productivity in scholarship demonstrated by scholarly activity resulting in development and dissemination of new knowledge or insight that have resulted in a seminal
contribution in a field of research, using novel and creative investigational methods. (Required)

Required Skills/Knowledge
Conducts an internationally known research program in a scientific area, supported by extramural funding preferably supported by the NIH.
Familiar with state of art research methods and active participant in setting national agenda in the specific research discipline as evidence by membership in national committees, society boards or alike.
Proven leadership abilities with experience supervising multiple direct reports ranging from trainees to senior scientists, with excellent interpersonal as well as written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to maintain quality, and safety standards.
Previous experience managing a research program in an academic research setting.
A strong commitment to innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and education.
Vision and experience to promote communication and collaboration both across and outside of the organization, catalyze new ventures, and build consensus around strategic priorities for academic research, scholarship, education and outreach in genetic research.
Evidence of ability to develop and carry out a strategic vision for excellence.

Required Licenses and Certifications
If the Director is a physician who will be actively involved in patient care, he/she will have to be fully licensed and credentialed as an attending staff physician on the medical staff of Children's National Medical Center. (Required)

Functional Accountabilities
Vision and Strategy

• Lead the strategic planning of the center including establishing vision, mission, short-term and long-term goals.

• Plan, implement, direct, and evaluate the strategic plan objectives to ensure the research program moves to Top Tier program level that is able to recruit high quality faculty, trainees and staff.

• See the potential in and understand the use of informatics resources and cutting edge technology in the conduct of research.

• Identifying areas of strategic importance in genetics research collaborating to identify and recruit talented and diverse faculty and in key areas, enhancing resources for existing faculty and trainees.

Conduct of Research

• Consistently demonstrate adherence with the standards for the Responsible Conduct of Research.

• Plan, conduct, manage research projects within the federal and institutional regulations and policies governing the conduct of research.

• Responsible for appropriate use of research funds.

Commitment to Research

• Conduct research of significant scientific value in the basic and/or translational science area(s) relevant to his/her practice specialty

• Participate in reviewing manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals

• Published in high impact peer-reviewed, scientific, quality and management journals

• Submit applications for grants or contracts for funding research projects

• Lead/serve on internal and external research committees, workshops, special interest groups

• Develop effective collaborations with internal and external stakeholders

Program Administration

• Develop comprehensive annual and long-range budgets and plans consistent with the center's objectives.

• Ensure compliance with organizational and departmental policies and procedures, and regulatory standards.

• Develop state-of-the-art, flexible resources required by CGMR investigators.

• Develop a comprehensive, valid and reliable program to assess trainees and junior investigators' achievement across a full range of competencies.

• Mentor, graduate/post-doctoral trainees and faculty.

• Plan, direct, and foster new interdisciplinary initiatives, including research, education and training, and/or outreach initiatives

Leadership

• Assume responsibility for leadership activities both within the center and across the CNRI.

• Identify and assess new opportunities for the research community arising from rapidly evolving developments in the precision medicine and genomic research. This involves working closely with faculty and other research centers and Institutes as well as external collaborators like the GWU School of Medicine and Health Sciences, to foster collaboration and information sharing.

• Coordinating activities among the centers, research groups, and the genetic science community; facilitating connections across the organization and developing and sustaining mechanisms that promote collaboration and communication across the genetic science spectrum to promote team science.

• With other CNRI Center Directors, advise the Chief Academic and Chief Research Officers on policies and oversight related to the continued successful growth of the research enterprise.

• Sustain own program of extramurally funded research relevant to the mission of the center.

• Actively support CPMGR education and training for diverse trainees at all career stages and from multiple disciplines.

• Secure external funding for institution wide research and development projects in in precision medicine and genomics and continue to pursue an active research career.

• Promote multi-disciplinary ("team science") by actively engaging internal and external stakeholders.

• Foster the establishment of new partnerships with industry and biotechnology in order to develop novel research tools and translate research discoveries.
• Provide leadership for the development of innovative research education, training, and career development strategies.