Chair, Department of Biomedical Engineering
University of Virginia

Job Info

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The University of Virginia (UVA) encourages accomplished research scientists/engineers and proven team leaders with clear vision and forward thinking to apply for the position of Chair, Department of Biomedical Engineering. The position offers a unique opportunity to foster growth of a vibrant department with an exciting track record of success. The department is recognized for outstanding research achievement, undergraduate and graduate education, and mentoring of students and early career faculty. Resources will be provided to support early and mid-career hires and to support the expansion of new cutting-edge technologies in biomedical engineering-associated disciplines including (but not limited to) systems biology and biomedical data science, biomedical imaging, tissue engineering and biomaterials, drug and gene delivery, and biomechanics and mechanobiology. For more information on the Department of Biomedical Engineering, please visit https://engineering.virginia.edu/departments/biomedical-engineering.

The Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) will ensure and enable excellence in scientific discovery and foster collaborations within the Department and across UVA. While the Chair has overall responsibility for operations and strategy across the Department, sustaining a thriving education enterprise is paramount. This position requires a renowned investigator and experienced leader with a proven record of exemplary scholarship, innovation in education and training, success in recruiting and developing faculty, and community engagement.

With one of the highest graduation rates of undergraduate students from underrepresented groups and one of the highest percentages of women engineering students among public universities, the Department and the University of Virginia are fundamentally committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty and staff. UVA is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We welcome nominations of and applications from women, members of historically marginalized groups, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We also welcome others who would bring additional dimensions of diversity to the university's research and teaching mission. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspective and lived experiences.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide visionary and innovative leadership for the growth and development of the Department with the aim of achieving high-impact discoveries, inventions or technology developments that contribute to the landscape of biomedical engineering research.

• Work closely and collaboratively with the leadership and faculty across UVA Health and the School of Engineering and Applied Science to foster collaborations that enable transdisciplinary teams, shared resources, and broader expertise.

• Foster an environment that promotes increased number of high-impact publications and grants.

• Elevate already strong programs in education and advanced training.

• Recruit, mentor, and retain outstanding faculty and staff. Ensure a respectful atmosphere of support and development.

• Build an administrative framework and budget that supports the academic mission.

• Provide leadership in enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion and seek to recruit and engage broadly diverse cohorts of faculty, staff, and trainees.

• Partner with the Deans' offices to cultivate philanthropic support for the Department.

DESIRED OUTCOMES

• A coherent vision for the Department that anticipates broad trends within biomedical engineering amid constant changes in funding, breakthrough technologies, and translational research.

• Thriving faculty pursuing cutting edge and highly relevant research, with growth in the number and quality of publications, level of sponsored research funding, and licensed technologies.

• A Department that continues to be closely interwoven into the research, education, and service missions of other departments, institutes, and units in the University of Virginia.

• A culture of, and structures for, continual faculty development and growth.

• Greater diversity-particularly in terms of the gender, race, ethnicity, national original, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity of trainees and faculty-and a culture that supports the inclusion and the success of all members of the Department.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

Excellence in Leading Scientists

Proven track records in fostering the scientific and engineering success of others in a complex, high-achieving, and prominent academic institution. Strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate education.

Impact on the Field

Substantial contributions to the field of biomedical engineering; national engagement and visibility, and distinction in developing the next generation of investigators.

Business and Operational Management

Effective development and management of the organization and resources that provide the foundation for a successful department.

Recruitment and Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Accomplishment in retention, recruitment, development, and mentorship of outstanding faculty, staff, and trainees, including those traditionally underrepresented in medicine and science. Demonstrated ability and interest in serving as an agent of progress in advancing racial equity and addressing healthcare disparities.

Education, Certification, Licensure

Ph.D. or M.D. /Ph.D. degree or equivalent

CRITICAL LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

Strategic Leadership

In a dynamic and evolving environment, the incoming Chair of BME will lead with a bias for action, implementing strategies that advance the Department as well as UVA Health, the School of Medicine and the School of Engineering and Applied Science by:

• Developing, articulating, and executing a Departmental vision and strategy consistent with those of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of Medicine, and UVA Health;

• Steering scientific direction toward the future; anticipating developments in the biotechnology and biomedical technology industries, biomedical engineering research, disease treatments and patient care;

• Encouraging innovative approaches to mentorship and training e.g., curricula, technologies, and teaching/learning methodologies;

• Demonstrating commitment to interdisciplinary and interprofessional activities; and

• Contributing as a senior leader of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of Medicine, and UVA Health.

Leading People

The Chair will build and lead a diverse, engaged, and productive faculty focused on meaningful discovery, technology invention, collaboration, and training by:

• Displaying the vision and energy to build a strong Department;

• Communicating with transparency while encouraging constructive debate;

• Engaging with faculty and staff to develop a clear perception of each individual's long-term capabilities and potential through informal and structured approaches and by providing consistent and balanced feedback and mentorship; and

• Establishing clear, challenging, and metrics-based performance goals for individuals, labs, and other units, and securing and deploying resources to assist in meeting these goals.

Collaborating and Influencing

The Chair will recognize the importance of building strong relationships in a multi-stakeholder environment and will position the Department as a major contributor within the larger institution and external community by:

• Seeking to broaden the Department's scientific and engineering impact through deeper collaborations with institutional partners;

• Creating or contributing to interdisciplinary initiatives, from bench to bedside;

• Demonstrating exceptional emotional intelligence and personally modeling integrity, honesty, and a spirit of contribution to the overall enterprise; and

• Leveraging opportunities to build relationships that will expand the scale, scope, and accomplishment of the Department.

For additional information about the position, please contact Douglas DeSimone, Search Committee co-chair at dwd3m@virginia.edu and/or Roseanne Ford, Search Committee co-chair at rmf3f@virginia.edu.

A PDF of this position description and more information can be found here.

To Apply:

Please apply through Workday, and search for R0034326. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching 'Find Jobs.' Complete an application online with the following documents:

• CV

• Cover letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission.

For questions about the application process, please contact Senior Recruiter, Academic Team Lead, Ashley Cochran at alc6dk@virginia.edu.

COVID Vaccination Requirement and Guidelines

Please visit the UVA COVID-19 Job Requirements and Guidelines webpage prior to applying for current information regarding vaccination requirements and guidelines for employment at UVA.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician's Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.

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