Director, Center for Biomedical Informatics and Biostatistics

The University of Arizona invites applications and nominations for the role of Director of the Center for Biomedical Informatics and Biostatistics (CB2).

Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Health Sciences, who in turn reports to the University’s president, CB2’s Director oversees core informatics services for UArizona Health Sciences. The Director is a key member of the UArizona Health Sciences senior leadership team, which includes Health Sciences Vice Presidents, College Deans, and other Center Directors. The Director also participates in data-sciences initiatives that traverse the Health Sciences and main campuses of the University.

The Center for Biomedical Informatics and Biostatistics was created in 2014 with the goal of advancing the UArizona Health Sciences' clinical research enterprise and mission with informatics and biostatistical tools and applications, clinical data sources, and shared human and technical resources. CB2 currently supports faculty and researchers with electronic data capture, health informatics, biospecimen management, and statistical consultation.

The Director will develop and implement a compelling strategy for clinical informatics, bioinformatics, and biostatistics services across the Health Sciences enterprise. The Director will develop CB2’s strategic plan, priorities, and goals and will have the opportunity to expand the Center’s services with the full support of UArizona Health Sciences.

Together with CB2 staff, the Director will engage with researchers and leadership across the basic sciences as well as translational and clinical areas, within UArizona Health Sciences and beyond. In particular, the Director will provide critical leadership in efforts to advance precision-health approaches to health outcomes and health care delivery and in the development of big-data analytical tools and resource services for UArizona Health Sciences’ research and clinical missions.

As the operational leader of CB2, the Director will build a culture of excellence across the Center’s administrative and research departments. They will oversee the recruitment, selection, development, and evaluation of CB2 staff. In order to have their full impact as the leader of CB2, the Director is expected to sustain a research program that is relevant to and that contributes to its growth and impact while sustaining an optimal balance of attention to the growing number of users and their own research activities.

The Director will oversee a team, at full capacity, of 28 and will manage a budget that comprises direct University funding, indirect-cost recovery, and other investments. The Center, like UArizona Health Sciences more broadly, enjoys sustained support from the State legislature and from its clinical partner, Banner University Medical Center. The Director will also serve on relevant committees, contribute to successful recruitment and onboarding of researchers, and participate in other initiatives relevant to CB2. They will represent the UArizona Health Sciences nationally and internationally in the bioinformatics professional space.

 

Qualifications

The Director will bring a track record of success launching and scaling innovative, user-oriented bioinformatics and/ biostatistics tools and services that advance knowledge and patient care. The Director will be an outstanding communicator, both written and oral, with the demonstrated skills to build collaborations, create consensus, and implement broad programs across a multi-stakeholder environment. Additional required qualifications include:

  • An M.D., D.O., Ph.D., or M.D./Ph.D.
  • A minimum of eight years of progressive leadership experience managing an informatics or biostatistics research center or program
  • Academic and disciplinary distinction suitable for appointment as an associate or full professor
  • A track record of innovation and results in the development and deployment of informatics and statistics resources in research and clinical practice
  • A strong track record of securing internal and extramural funding and of fostering research productivity in the area of informatics
  • Experience in providing consultation and collaboration to augment the capacity of research teams to apply informatics tools to advance a broad range of biomedical research activities
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective partnerships and successful collaborations with faculty and external partners in a large, complex, decentralized environment
  • A track record of commitment to and measurable impact in initiatives and investments that foster diversity, equity, and inclusion and that reduce barriers to entry of groups historically under-represented in biomedical research.

 

Preferred qualifications include:

  • National profile and relationships in the bioinformatics/biostatistics sector including with funding agencies and industry partners
  • Financial budgeting and resource management skills
  • A deep understanding of and experience in basic and clinical research, preferably including inter-disciplinary research
  • Experience managing clinical data warehouses and large informatics networks, particularly those involving patient-level data
  • Knowledge and experience with contracts, contract negotiations, and regulations to acquire, access, and use different types of data
  • Record of excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service
  • Experience in health sciences / academic medical centers / regional health systems

 

To Apply

The University of Arizona has engaged Opus Search Partners to support the recruitment of this position. Craig Smith, Partner, and Chris Stadler, Associate, are leading the search. Inquiries, applications, and nominations should be sent by email to Chris (chris.stadler@opuspartners.net). The search process will unfold with the greatest possible attention to candidate confidentiality. Required application materials include a CV and a cover letter that addresses the required and preferred qualifications of the role, its responsibilities, and the University’s expectations of CB2 and its Director including with regard to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

 

The University of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.