Professor and Director, Galveston National Laboratory – 6887…

Minimum Qualifications:

Terminal degree and

• Successful administration of biomedical research programs and management of a complex, multifaceted research portfolio that addresses high priority pathogens;
• International stature in biodefense and/or emerging infectious disease research;
• Experience in high containment facilities and understanding of the associated regulatory and compliance environment

Function:

The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), a national and international leader in high biocontainment infectious disease research, is seeking an outstanding leader as Director of the Galveston National Laboratory (GNL). The state-of-the-art GNL is located on the main UTMB campus in Galveston, Texas. The GNL works closely with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and other federal and commercial partners in conducting investigator-initiated and contract research addressing basic science to translational research at Biosafety Level (BSL)-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 levels. This position will provide direction, leadership, and vision for the GNL and will understand and support research in infectious disease, emerging infections, and biodefense.

Infectious disease research is a major strength at UTMB and provides the largest component of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding to the university. Facilities and research programs that contribute to and support this research are extensive, involve multiple departments, centers, and core laboratories, and encompass more than 120 investigators. The mission of the GNL is to assist the NIAID and the nation in developing improved mechanisms for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of potentially life-threatening diseases caused by naturally emerging and purposefully disseminated infectious agents.

Scope:

The Director oversees a complex scientific and educational program encompassing a diverse set of research areas. The incumbent is responsible for developing and articulating GNL research strategies, educational mission, goals, and priorities within a landscape that is continually evolves due to new, emerging, and reemerging threats, changing regulatory environments, and shifting funding opportunities. The Director analyzes and interprets current and new legislation for its effect on GNL activities and establishes new or modified operational procedures as required.

Salary Range

Salary is commensurate with experience.

Specific Job Related Duties

• Ensures the safe and secure operations of the GNL;
• Demonstrated scientific leadership ability;
• Active or recently active in research with academic or equivalent experience;
• Strong communication skills and an ability to work effectively with independent scientists in an academic setting;
• Provides strong leadership in working with diverse UTMB research leaders to facilitate state-of-the-art research that stimulates basic science, translational studies, and advanced product development initiatives;
• Develops effective measures to support regulated studies which generate data for possible submission to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in support of product development;
• Coordinates initiatives to direct and manage GNL operations, including identification of resources to meet existing and anticipated staffing, equipment, instrumentation, and infrastructure requirements;
• Continually develops, refines, and executes the GNL’s strategic plan with a primary focus on fostering collaborative relationships with government agencies, other academic centers, industry partners, and on basic research;
• Sustains research and educational programs that directly align with national priorities and goals for infectious diseases and biodefense research;
• Ensures that research involving laboratory animals is conducted in a manner that is consistent with the highest ethical standards and complies with all regulations governing animal use in biomedical research;
• Provides efficient, comprehensive fiscal management of the GNL;
• Ensures equitable access to and efficient use of GNL biocontainment, laboratory, and office space;
• Facilitates the educational mission of UTMB

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to maintain strong, supportive relationship with community leaders;
• Ability to successfully balance interests of external sponsors with academic responsibilities of independent faculty and the needs of trainees;
• Leadership experience in directing a biocontainment laboratory and coordinating a range of individuals engaged in multifaceted, complex scientific programs;
• Established and maintained productive collaborative interactions with national and international scientists in related scientific fields;
• Experience successfully competing for national external research funding, preferably both grants and contracts;
• Effective negotiation skills and experience interacting with federal funding agencies; existing relationships with leadership at the NIH, Department of Defense, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention preferable;
• Serves as an ambassador and diplomat at the national and international levels for infectious disease and high biocontainment research and contributes to health policy and biocontainment policy nationally and internationally

Equal Employment Opportunity
UTMB Health strives to provide equal opportunity employment without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or veteran status. As a VEVRAA Federal Contractor, UTMB Health takes affirmative action to hire and advance women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.