Vice Chair for Research, Department of Emergency Medicine

University of Colorado•Aurora, CO

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Colorado School of Medicine (CU SOM) Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) seeks a Vice Chair for Research (VCR) to lead a broad and growing research portfolio within one of the most innovative and dynamic academic departments in the nation. The VCR will have the mandate to provide clear strategic vision, administrative leadership and advance the research mission of the DEM—aligned with the CU SOM target of being top ten in 10 years. The VCR will engage in funded research and other activities as appropriate, such as clinical work or teaching, depending upon the candidate's background and interests. The position will involve collaborative partnerships with different programs, departments, centers, and disciplines across the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, as well as other schools, and community and academic partner organizations. The VCR will advise the Chair on Departmental research priorities and initiatives and will be an integral part of the DEM executive leadership team. A specific content area of expertise is not required, although preferred candidates will have research expertise broadly related to emergency medicine, which may include clinical trials, pragmatic research methods, dissemination and implementation (D&I) science, digital health and innovation, public health and prevention research, airway and critical care medicine, toxicology, global health, and combat or deployment-related medical research.

Requirements

Board-certified MD/DO (ABEM preferred) or PhD in related field, with research experience relevant to emergency care.
Scholarly record of substantial extramural funding as principal investigator including management of large, multi-site research and associated budgets.
Substantial experience with research and scholarship mentorship of clinician scientists, PhD scientists, and multidisciplinary research teams, including mentorship of career development awardees.
Leadership experience in research administration, research program/center leadership, and/or team science.
Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) or foreign equivalent.
Unrestricted license to practice medicine in Colorado, or willing to obtain (if applicable).
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Research skills and management skills.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Thought leader in their discipline.

Responsibilities

Develop and sustain physician-scientist and investigator careers by mentoring, sponsoring, evaluating, and fostering collaboration among junior, mid-career, and senior faculty.
Provide strategic leadership for departmental research infrastructure, including clinical research operations, metrics and reporting, and alignment with institutional research priorities.
Collaborate with Vice Chair of Finance and Administration on strategic leadership for administrative support.
Recruit, retain, and develop a high-performing research workforce representing a broad range of perspectives and disciplines. This includes faculty, staff, trainees, and research fellows.
Oversee and harmonize clinical and translational research activities across investigators and laboratories, including shared policies, common infrastructure, and regulatory and operational excellence.
Advance the translation of discoveries and care delivery innovations into routine practice, using evidence-based implementation and learning health system approaches.
Grow extramural funding, including NIH and other federal mechanisms, industry-sponsored research, center and program grants, and alternative funding models that support sustainable research and clinical innovation.
Support dissemination, community engagement, and real-world impact, ensuring research findings inform quality improvement, program development, and health system and payer engagement.
Serve as the primary departmental representative to School of Medicine and CU Anschutz research leadership, including Vice Chair for Research meetings and cross-campus initiatives.
Partner closely with Associate Vice Chairs for Research to ensure coordinated leadership across clinical research infrastructure, learning health system research, and campus, health system, and community partnerships.
Partner closely with Vice Chair of Finance and Administration and other department leadership on research governance to ensure compliance, ethical practices, and adherence to all regulatory standards.
Build and sustain research training pathways, including faculty development, research fellowships, EM-STIM, resident and fellowship research programs, and medical student research opportunities.
Foster a positive, collaborative research culture, strengthening the department’s reputation internally and nationally and aligning research strategy with the department’s mission and vision.
Support the Department Chair and executive leadership team, ensuring cohesive intradepartmental policies and procedures and contributing to long-term strategic growth, including expansion of research expertise across key domains.