Director of Research for the Brain Tumor Center

Director of Research for the Brain Tumor Center

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis/Siteman Cancer Center

St. Louis, Missouri

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis (WUSM) and Siteman Cancer Center seek an impactful, strategic, and collaborative researcher to be the Director of Research for the newly established multidisciplinary Brain Tumor Center. The Brain Tumor Center (BTC) is an interdepartmental center housed within the Department of Neurosurgery, and the Director of Research will work closely with the BTC Director to transform WUSM's highly successful brain tumor program into an internationally recognized Brain Tumor Center of Excellence.

Over the last decade, WUSM has markedly expanded its brain tumor program and currently has over 25 clinicians from neurosurgery, neurology, medical and pediatric oncology, radiation oncology, and pathology focusing on the care of brain tumor patients, along with at least 10 NIH-funded investigators from neurosurgery, neurology, medical and pediatric oncology, radiation oncology, and pathology investigating various aspects of brain tumor pathophysiology and therapeutics. In FY20, this brain tumor investigator group had over $7 million in NIH funding and was leading more than 20 active brain tumor clinical trials. The Director of Research will continue building on the campus-wide excellence in neuroscience and cancer research, identifying and growing fruitful interactions, and developing productive, synergistic, and lasting relationships.

Reporting to the Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery and working in close collaboration with the Director of the BTC the successful candidate will continue to expand the basic, translational, and clinical research programs within the BTC, while also formalizing and deepening partnerships with clinical and basic science departments across the School of Medicine, Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. The newly established BTC at Siteman Cancer Center will be the epicenter for the clinical care of patients with malignant brain tumors, brain metastases, and benign brain tumors, while also serving as a focal point for the most innovative and cutting-edge research for benign and malignant brain tumors across the medical center. Much of this center will be housed within the new $620 million, 11-story and 609,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art Neuroscience Research Building, which will be completed in 2023. 

WUSM is seeking a world-class brain tumor investigator who is a proven leader and program builder with outstanding expertise in preclinical discovery science and in the translation of novel basic findings into therapeutics to be tested in the form of rigorous clinical trials. Funding lines have been established not only for the research program of this pivotal recruit, but also for core research infrastructure and the recruitment of additional brain tumor basic scientists and clinician-investigators. The Director of Research will need to demonstrate a collaborative spirit, innovative thinking, and strong communication skills. An appreciation for and track record of demonstrating personal and professional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is of the utmost importance. 

Please direct inquiries, nominations, and applications to Isaacson, Miller, the national executive search firm assisting with the search. All replies will be held in strict confidence. Correspondence and applications, which should include a CV and letter of interest, should be submitted electronically to Ariannah Mirick, Jamie Sands and Kaleigh Hoffman via www.imsearch.com/7861.

Washington University encourages and gives full consideration to all applicants for admission, financial aid, and employment. The University does not discriminate in access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran status, disability or genetic information. 

It is the policy of the University to: (1) provide equal employment opportunity to all job applicants and employees; (2) administer recruiting, hiring, compensation and benefit practices, training, upgrading and promotion procedures, transfers and terminations of employment without discrimination because of race, color, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, veteran status, disability or genetic information; (3) provide a workplace free from harassment based on any of the foregoing factors; and (4) encourage the hiring of minorities, women, disabled individuals, Vietnam era veterans and disabled veterans.