Physician Scientist - Medical Oncology (Lung Cancer/Thoracic Oncology)

The University of Kansas Health System•Westwood, KS

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Kansas Health System and The University of Kansas Cancer Center are seeking a Physician Scientist specializing in Lung Cancer to join the Division of Medical Oncology and the Thoracic Oncology Program. The University of Kansas Cancer Center (KUCC) is the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the region, serving patients across Kansas and western Missouri. Our multidisciplinary thoracic oncology program is dedicated to advancing the prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of lung cancer through innovative research and exceptional patient care. The selected candidate will benefit from exceptional institutional resources, including a new state-of-the-art cancer center currently under construction to support cutting-edge research and multidisciplinary care. This full-time faculty position offers academic rank commensurate with experience, a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, dedicated research support, and access to institutional core facilities within a highly collaborative campus environment. This is a unique opportunity to advance lung cancer research by leading translational and clinical investigations focused on understanding disease biology, developing novel therapeutic strategies, identifying predictive biomarkers, and improving outcomes for patients with thoracic malignancies.

Requirements

MD, DO, MD/PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree
Board certified or board eligible in Medical Oncology
Demonstrated expertise in thoracic malignancies, cancer biology, translational research, or related areas
Evidence of scholarly productivity, including peer-reviewed publications
Strong commitment to multidisciplinary collaboration and academic excellence
Record of, or strong potential for, obtaining extramural funding

Nice To Haves

Established research program focused on lung cancer biology, precision medicine, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, cancer disparities, screening, or early detection
Previous extramural funding (e.g., K Award, R21, R01, Department of Defense, VA Merit Award, or foundation funding)
Experience leading translational, investigator-initiated, or multicenter clinical research studies
Expertise in biomarker discovery, molecular diagnostics, genomics, proteomics, or computational oncology
Experience mentoring trainees and developing collaborative research programs
National or international recognition in thoracic oncology research

Responsibilities

Establish an innovative and externally funded research program focused on thoracic malignancies.
Develop and lead translational and clinical research initiatives in areas such as tumor biology, molecular profiling, precision oncology, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, resistance mechanisms, and biomarker development.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across oncology, pulmonology, pathology, radiology, surgery, and population health sciences.
Design and conduct investigator-initiated studies and contribute to national cooperative group and industry-sponsored clinical trials.
Partner with KUCC research cores, the Clinical Trials Office, Biostatistics, Pathology, and translational science programs to accelerate the development of novel diagnostics and therapies.
Mentor graduate students, residents, clinical fellows, postdoctoral researchers, and junior faculty.
Publish research findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and present discoveries at national and international scientific meetings.
Pursue extramural funding through NIH, NCI, Department of Defense, foundations, and other funding organizations.
Participate in the growth and strategic development of the Thoracic Oncology research program.