Associate Director, Drug Discovery - IAMI

University of Kansas Medical Center • Kansas City, MO

2d

About The Position

The Associate Director, Drug Discovery will be a major contributor to the strategic development and shaping the success of the Institute for Advancing Medical Innovation (IAMI). He/she will work closely with the Director, leadership team, project managers, IAMI entrepreneurs-in-residence, and external collaborators to drive scientifically robust drug discovery within IAMI from the biology/chemistry interface through in vivo preclinical proof of principle and clinical proof of concept. Specifically, this translational science position will direct the scientific aspects of small molecule, cellular therapeutic, biologic, and radiopharmaceutical drug discovery and development projects from conception into clinical development. This position will also serve to train and educate graduate students, postdoctoral trainees, tenure-track faculty and clinician scientists in the principles of entrepreneurship and innovation to further develop the pipeline of medical innovation technologies. The Associate Director for Drug Discovery will report directly into the Director of IAMI. The role will hold adjunct or tenure-track appointment(s) in appropriate department(s) within the University of Kansas Medical Center. This position will direct IAMI’s immunotherapeutic discovery and development programs and will provide necessary input to IAMI investment decisions required to translate laboratory and bedside discoveries into medical innovation technologies. The Associate Director for Immunotherapeutic Drug Discovery and Development will work closely with product development teams, KUCTC, and IAMI’s private sector partner, BioNovus Innovations LLC, to define drug discovery and development plans, patenting, and licensing strategies necessary to advance IAMI projects through early development. This position will support the University’s major research priorities including but not limited to the University of Kansas Comprehensive Cancer Center (KUCC), Frontiers Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, other research initiatives across University of Kansas campuses, as well as in support of our consortium partners, notably Children’s Mercy Kansas City and the Stowers Institute for Medical Research. Additionally, this position will interact with both local and national key opinion leaders, entrepreneurs, and business development partners in the private and not-for-profit sectors to further advance KUCC priorities. Tenure track appointments are full-time with an initial probationary period of seven years. Criteria for promotion includes significant achievements in teaching, research/scholarship, and service. The award of tenure is based on potential for sustained contributions, performing beyond expected duties, and demonstrating leadership and innovation in activities that enhance the reputation of the University.

Requirements

• PhD degree in immunology, molecular or cancer biology, pharmacology or toxicology with a background in cellular therapeutic and biologic drug discovery and development.
• This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have the foundational knowledge and skill set required to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is based on accreditation requirements, institutional standards of academic and professional excellence, alignment with peer institution benchmarks, and contributes to the credibility and effectiveness of the role within the university community.
• 15 years of experience in drug discovery and/or development, having previously worked for pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology companies.
• Communication skills
• Organization skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Cover Letter
• Resume/CV

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with academic investigators is preferred.
• Experience developing peer review research as well as small business grant applications is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creation and advancement of all new IAMI drug discovery programs
• Lead development and refinement of strategic plans which define internal drug discovery competencies and capabilities as well as partnerships with external partners to support a rich project portfolio
• Support execution of licensing and partnering strategies
• Monitor the management of alliance relationships as the relationship manager
• Assist the Director in establishing and managing partnerships and collaborations with government agencies, philanthropic organizations, patient advocacy groups, academic institutions and industry
• In conjunction with the University’s General Counsel’s Office and KUCTC, support negotiations of legal agreements including contracts, material transfer agreements and patent filings
• Communicate and collaborate with KUCTC on IAMI projects
• Participate in providing learning opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students, professional students, postdoctoral trainees, residents, fellows, tenure-track faculty as well as research staff in therapeutic, diagnostic, and medical device development including pursuit of NIH training grants
• Working with faculty across KU and KUMC campuses as well as partner institutions, assisting teams in translating laboratory and bedside discoveries into drug discovery and development projects through external grants, through the utilization of university research infrastructure
• Support advancement of immunotherapeutic drug discovery and development projects from conception through clinical proof of concept across all therapeutic areas including rare diseases.
• Participate in establishing and directing strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and alliances with industry, academia, government, and disease philanthropy partners
• Contributing to the development and execution of tactical and strategic plans designed to ensure long-term sustainability, growth and impact of IAMI and its programs
• Partner with IAMI project managers as well as tenure-track basic, translational, and clinician scientists, to develop and execute product development-focused translational research project plans to drive projects.
• Strategic and operational responsibilities not only for the Institute but IAMI’s public-private partnership, CureBridgeCollaborativeÔ.
• Collaborating with the University of Kansas Comprehensive Cancer Center (KUCC) scientific leadership and members to drive immunotherapeutic drug discovery and development projects from the bench to the bedside, supporting KUCC’s NCI-designation efforts by contributing to the Drug Discovery and Development Steering Committee as an active member.
• Enable and facilitate intra-programmatic and inter-programmatic collaborations
• Support other University strategic planning initiatives by providing entrepreneurship and innovation expertise
• May participate in relevant committees, task force, or other similar activities.

Benefits

• Coverage begins on day one for health, dental, and vision insurance and includes health expense accounts with generous employer contributions if the employee participates in a qualifying health plan.
• Employer-paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and various additional voluntary insurance plans are available.
• Paid time off, including vacation and sick, begins accruing upon hire, plus ten paid holidays.
• One paid discretionary day is available after six months of employment, and paid time off for bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave is available after 12 months of employment.
• A retirement program with a generous employer contribution and additional voluntary retirement programs (457 or 403b) are available.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree