Director of Surgical and Cancer Research

Director of Surgical and Cancer Research Faculty Position

Department of Surgery, Cooper Medical School of Rowan

MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper University Health Care

Camden, NJ

The Department of Surgery of Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and the MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper invites applications for Director of Surgical and Cancer Research. We seek an NCI-funded, accomplished researcher (MD/Ph.D., or Ph.D.), eligible for the rank of Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor. Candidates should have an outstanding record of collaborative cancer research-related activities. The Director will play a key role in managing day-to-day research operations of the laboratory and managing staff activities on funded research projects, including study and protocol design, data collection, data management & analysis, manuscript writing, and dissemination of scientific findings. Successful candidates will also take the lead in developing, writing, and submitting grant proposals across a range of funding mechanisms, including NIH, NSF, and private philanthropic foundations. The Director may also hire their current research team if desired.

This is a unique opportunity to hold a faculty position in the Department of Surgery, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, and the MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper and partner with the Coriell Institute for Medical Research. Faculty members will benefit from a highly collaborative research environment, state-of-the-art research infrastructure, and core services; these research facilities are housed adjacent to multi-disciplinary inpatient and outpatient cancer-related clinical areas providing the opportunity for translational research.

MD Anderson at Cooper is a partnership between Cooper University Health Care and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. This partnership was formed in September 2013 and brings together southern New Jersey's leading cancer program and the nation's leading cancer center - establishing a fully integrated, comprehensive center treating all types of cancers for patients in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and beyond.

The Coriell Institute for Medical Research is located in Camden, NJ, well within the Philadelphia Metropolitan area. The Institute is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) research institute dedicated to studying human diseases, and Coriell research faculty's expertise spans genomics, epigenomics, cancer, stem cells, aging, and opioid addiction. Coriell is strongly committed to scientific research, currently housing 20 Ph.D.-level scientists who receive the full support of the Institute's state-of-the-art research resources. For additional information about the Institute, please visit the Coriell website at www.coriell.org

Duties Include

• Develop and implement standard operating procedures for effectively collecting, managing, and disseminating scientific research.
• Oversee preparation and managing submission of IRB and regulatory protocols and reports to funding agencies.
• Write and edit content for grant proposals, peer-reviewed publications, and other program activities. Develop research grant proposals, support the grant writing process, and assist principal investigators.
• Facilitate publication of research papers and reports.
• Oversee and administer research activities by evaluating academic programs, making recommendations that impact policies and programs, and coordinating and implementing changes.
• Mentor surgical residents during the research year of their general surgery program
• Collect and analyze data, create reports, review, and explain trends to determine program effectiveness; formulate and evaluate alternative solutions and recommendations to achieve the program's goals.
• Represent the program or function as the key contact and subject matter expert within the department, unit, or school and develop communications for internal and external constituencies.
• Organize and participate in outreach activities such as events, partnerships, fundraising, training, and conferences. Lead workshops and facilitate meetings.
• Monitor expenses, budgets, and finances of the program. Make recommendations on funding based on program spending. Develop strategic plans, budgets, and set timelines with the research team.
• Oversee training of research staff and students.
• Other duties may also be assigned.

Desired Qualifications

• Applicants must have a Ph.D. degree with a track record of successful research as a Principal Investigator with funding support from federal funding agencies, such as NIH RO1 or equivalent grants.
• Experience with cellular genetics, biochemistry, epigenetics, or immunology is preferred. Three years of related work experience is also required.
• Strong publication record.
• Ability to plan, organize, and manage complex research projects' daily activities and operations in an academic university setting.
• Ability to provide the necessary leadership, including helping to maintain high morale among co-workers and keep projects on track over an extended period.
• Excellence in both written and verbal communication.
• Strong interpersonal skills for communicating with staff from collaborating MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Cooper University Health Care, and Coriell Institute for Medical Research.
• Ability to lead project teams and maintain good working relationships with principal investigators, coworkers, and research subjects.
• Vision to grow the program to expand the research program

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities (required)

• Demonstrated oral, written, and analytical skills, exhibiting fluency in a relevant area of specialization.
• Ability to oversee and provide direction to research staff.

Working Conditions

• May work extended hours, evenings, or weekends.
• May travel locally.
• Occasional overnight travel.

Work Standards

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates working well with Cooper University colleagues, clients, and external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide