Founding Director, Interdisciplinary Center for Precision Medicine

The University of Kansas Medical Center and Health System seek a visionary and dynamic physician-scientist to serve as Founding Director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Precision Medicine. The Founding Director will lead the strategic development, implementation, and expansion of precision medicine initiatives across clinical, research, and educational domains. This faculty-appointed position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of personalized healthcare by integrating genomics, data science, and translational research into clinical practice and academic programs.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and lead a multidisciplinary precision medicine program aligned with institutional goals.
• Drive strategic planning and execution of precision medicine initiatives across specialties.
• Represent the institution nationally and internationally as a thought leader in precision medicine.
• Partner with Children’s Mercy Kansas City to establish a fully integrated precision medicine program across the lifespan.

Clinical Integration & Care

• Oversee the integration of genomic tools and precision diagnostics into clinical workflows.
• Provide direct patient care in areas such as genetic counseling, neurogenetics, oncology, and metabolic disorders.
• Collaborate with clinical departments to establish service lines (e.g., molecular tumor boards, pharmacogenomics clinics).
• Ensure genomic data integration into the EHR with appropriate clinical decision support.

Research & Innovation

• Lead and support high-impact translational and clinical research in genetics, genomics, multi-omics, and data-driven medicine.
• Promote investigator-initiated studies, clinical trials, and collaborative research.
• Secure extramural funding through NIH, foundations, and industry partnerships.

Education & Mentorship

• Develop and deliver educational programs for medical students, residents, fellows, and faculty.
• Mentor junior investigators and trainees in clinical and translational research.
• Integrate precision medicine into graduate and professional school curricula.

Program Development & Infrastructure

• Build and expand clinical genetics services and precision medicine programs.
• Lead and support infrastructure development (e.g., biobanks, sequencing platforms, data repositories).
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, ethical, and privacy standards.

Collaboration & Advocacy

• Foster cross-disciplinary collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Engage with internal stakeholders to shape precision medicine medical education and across all levels of training.
• Engage with community stakeholders to promote equitable access and transparency.
• Represent the institution in national and international forums and consortia.

Fundraising & External Relations

• Lead grant-writing and fundraising efforts to support program growth.
• Build partnerships with academic, industry, and community organizations.

Institutional Growth

• Support faculty recruitment, staff development, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Contribute to the long-term success and scalability of the precision medicine program.

Key Challenges

• Integration of Genomic Data into Clinical Practice: Translating complex genomic and multi-omic data into actionable clinical insights.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Coordinating across clinical and basic science departments and aligning diverse priorities.
• Talent Recruitment and Retention: Attracting and retaining top-tier clinicians, researchers, and data scientists.
• Funding and Sustainability: Securing consistent funding for research, clinical programs, and infrastructure.
• Keeping Pace with Rapid Scientific Advances: Staying current with evolving technologies and treatment paradigms.
• Cultural Change Management: Shifting institutional culture to embrace data-driven, personalized care.
• Demonstrating Clinical and Economic Value: Proving that precision medicine improves outcomes and is cost-effective.

Candidate Profile

Basic Qualifications

• MD or MD/PhD (or equivalent) with board certification in a relevant specialty.
• Minimum 7–10 years of experience in precision medicine, genomics, or related fields.
• Demonstrated leadership in academic medicine, clinical genomics, or translational research.
• Strong record of peer-reviewed publications and successful extramural funding.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and integrating advanced technologies into clinical workflows.
• In-depth understanding of genomic testing, biomarkers, and their clinical applications across specialties.
• Strong ability to interpret and apply clinical, genomic, and efficacy data to real-world medical practice.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven success in securing NIH or equivalent research funding and managing large-scale research programs.
• Experience in implementing genomic discoveries into clinical practice and translating research into patient outcomes.
• Background in biomedical informatics, artificial intelligence, or machine learning in healthcare.
• Expertise in the clinical application of theranostics, including understanding of targeted radionuclide therapies and the integration of diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals into personalized patient care pathways.
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks (e.g., CLIA, CAP, HIPAA) and ethical considerations in genomic medicine.
• Experience with population health initiatives and integrating precision medicine into public health strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and collaborate across departments and institutions.
• Strong communication and advocacy skills, with experience engaging diverse stakeholders including patients, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers.
• Experience in faculty development, academic promotion processes, and institutional leadership.
• Commitment to health equity and addressing disparities in access to precision medicine.
• Experience with commercialization, intellectual property, or industry partnerships in genomics or biotechnology.