Physician-Associate Chief of Staff - (Research & Development)

Veterans Health Administration • Augusta, GA

20h

About The Position

The Physician-Associate Chief of Staff for Research & Development serves as the senior leader responsible for guiding and administering the Research & Development (R&D) program. The position reports directly to the Chief of Staff and participates in the medical center leadership structure. It provides strategic direction to grow the research enterprise, strengthen scientific rigor, and align research with organizational priorities. The role also oversees academic affiliations and manages academic appointment processes with partner institutions.

The position supervises the operational and budgetary aspects of the R&D Service, including staffing, resources, and program management. It leads the Research & Development Committee and associated subcommittees and oversees the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) to ensure compliance with ethical and regulatory standards. The role provides oversight to investigators, research staff, coordinators, and administrative personnel.

The incumbent ensures compliance with VA, federal, and institutional research regulations and applicable standard operating procedures for award submissions, internal reviews, and conflict-of-interest processes. The role ensures research staff complete mandatory training in ethics, procurement, and regulatory requirements, and ensures third-party oversight when submitting personal proposals. It supports scientific program growth, innovation, collaboration, and research quality; guides long-term planning for infrastructure, investigator development, and new initiatives; and oversees research funds, space, equipment, staffing requirements, and personnel actions.

The position serves as a liaison among Research Service, leadership, clinical services, and administrative programs such as HR, Fiscal, Compliance, and Procurement. It supports smooth transitions in research leadership and continuity of research projects during staffing changes. If clinically active, the physician maintains clinical privileges and participates in clinical care and/or personal research projects. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., subject to change based on agency needs.

Requirements

• Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine from an appropriately approved or accredited institution.
• Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Completion of qualifying residency training in an accredited core specialty program leading to board-certification eligibility, or an alternative training and independent-practice pathway specified in the announcement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Ability to meet the physical and mental requirements to perform essential position functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination.
• Complete required onboarding and application documentation; selected applicants are subject to background/security investigation and, for testing-designated positions, pre-appointment urinalysis.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• May be required to serve a probationary period.

Nice To Haves

• Board certification may be required for faculty status in VA academic training programs.
• A board-certified, full-time physician may be eligible for possible CME reimbursement of up to $1,000 per year.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and administer the Research & Development program, aligning it with organizational priorities.
• Oversee academic affiliations and academic appointment processes with partner institutions.
• Supervise operational and budgetary aspects of the R&D Service, including staffing, resources, and program management.
• Lead the Research & Development Committee and its associated subcommittees.
• Oversee the Human Research Protection Program to ensure ethical and regulatory compliance.
• Provide oversight to investigators, research staff, coordinators, and administrative personnel.
• Ensure compliance with VA, federal, and institutional regulations governing research activities.
• Ensure adherence to standard operating procedures for award submissions, internal reviews, and conflict-of-interest processes.
• Ensure research staff complete mandatory ethics, procurement, and regulatory training.
• Require third-party oversight when submitting personal proposals to ensure separation of duties.
• Support scientific program growth, innovation, collaboration, and research quality.
• Guide long-term planning for research infrastructure, investigator development, and new research initiatives.
• Oversee research budget execution and stewardship of VA and external research funds.
• Manage research space, equipment, staffing requirements, and personnel actions within the service.
• Coordinate and serve as liaison among Research Service, leadership, clinical services, HR, Fiscal, Compliance, and Procurement.
• Support transitions in research leadership and continuity of research projects during staffing changes.
• If clinically active, maintain clinical privileges and participate in clinical care and/or personal research projects.

Benefits

• Recruitment or relocation incentive (sign-on bonus) may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate.
• Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, and regular salary increases.
• 50–55 days of paid time off per year, including 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 federal holidays, and a possible five-day paid CME absence.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k), with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Possible $1,000 per year CME reimbursement for full-time physicians with board certification.
• Free liability protection with tail coverage.
• No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.

What This Job Offers

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