Associate Professor to Professor DOQ

Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation and benefits

Access to rich datasets and AI infra

Job summary

The University of Utah invites applications for the Chief of the new Division of Cancer Data and Artificial Intelligence (CDAI) within the Department of Oncological Sciences, linked with Huntsman Cancer Institute. This senior faculty role leads AI-driven cancer research and cross-disciplinary programs across Salt Lake City and Vineyard campuses.

The CDAI Division seeks an accomplished researcher with leadership in AI/data science for healthcare, collaboration with clinical and translational

Qualifications

• Exceptional communication and team-building skills.
• Proven leadership in AI or data science with healthcare research applications.
• Strong publication and funding record.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the CDAI Division's strategic vision with aligned leaders.
• Recruit faculty to the CDAI Division and Vineyard campus as applicable.
• Build and manage transdisciplinary teams across campuses and disciplines.
• Lead an innovative research program in AI-driven cancer biology, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
• Mentor early career faculty and participate in training programs and research mentorship.
• Foster collaborations with UVU, BYU and Silicon Slopes partners.
• Secure extramural funding and oversee large-scale research initiatives.
• Translate data science innovations into real-world clinical applications.
• Represent the CDAI Division on national and international platforms.

Skills

Communication

Team leadership

AI leadership

Research funding

Education

PhD, MD or equivalent in computational biology/data science/CS/engineering/oncology

Job description

The University of Utah, an AA/EO employer, encourages applications from all qualified individuals, and provides reasonable accommodation to the known disabilities of applicants and employees. The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students, staff, faculty and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education, employment opportunities, and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented groups.

Position Information

Position/Rank: Associate Professor to Professor DOQ

Department: 00222 - Oncological Sciences

City: Salt Lake City, UT

Track: New Position to Begin

New Position to Begin When Filled

The Opportunity

The University of Utah’s Department of Oncological Sciences (OncSci), in conjunction with Huntsman Cancer Institute ( HCI ), invites applications for a visionary and mission-driven leader to serve as a senior faculty member and Chief of the new Division of Cancer Data and Artificial Intelligence ( CDAI ).

Part of the University of Utah located in Salt Lake City, UT, HCI includes over 300 cancer-focused research teams and has established outstanding programs in laboratory research, clinical cancer research, and cancer control and population sciences and cross-disciplinary disease centers. HCI is the only NCI -designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Mountain West, has been rated in the ‘exceptional’ range at its past two reviews, and serves five states through, research, clinical care, and community outreach and engagement: Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada and Wyoming. With over 1 million square feet dedicated to research and clinical care, it provides patient and prevention education to more than one million residents globally. HCI uniquely integrates cancer hospitals with research buildings, enhancing the connection between cutting-edge research and clinical care. HCI is establishing a new state-of-the-art comprehensive cancer campus in Vineyard, Utah to be completed by 2028. This tenure-track faculty position will be hired immediately, yet is anticipated to be based at the new HCI Vineyard Campus in the future.

HCI Vineyard Campus

The new HCI center in Vineyard has been supported by the state of Utah and extraordinary philanthropic contributions. HCI Vineyard will provide important access to patients in central and southern Utah, and exciting opportunities for new collaborations with academic and entrepreneurial partners in the area, including Utah Valley University ( UVU ), Brigham Young University ( BYU ), a leader in education in computational methods, and numerous technology/AI companies (Silicon Slopes). The new HCI Vineyard Campus will implement HCI’s top clinical trial portfolio and house national cancer research leaders.

The Vineyard Campus is HCI’s first major expansion beyond Salt Lake City and will serve as a hub for innovation in cancer care and research. In its first phase, the campus will advance four key areas of focus:

• 1. Health Care Transformation – redesigning cancer care delivery to improve access over distance, quality, efficiency, and patient experience.
• 2. AI, Data Science & Digital Oncology – leveraging technology for innovative discovery research, and/or to serve communities and patients through innovation, overcome distance as a barrier, and enable precision prevention and treatment.
• 3. Innovation in Clinical Trials – providing state-of-the-art oncology care and increasing access for rural and underserved populations.
• 4. Community Outreach & Engagement – partnering with communities across the Mountain West to close gaps in prevention, screening, and survivorship.

These four areas are designed to work in concert, creating a powerful ecosystem where innovations in one area fuel progress in others. Together, this synergy will enable Vineyard to pioneer new models that deliver a cancer free frontier across the Mountain West.

The CDAI Division supports HCI Vineyard’s second area of focus (above) and will be central to the Department’s strategic focus on harnessing data science, machine learning, and AI to transform cancer research. The Division Chief will lead efforts to integrate computational oncology with basic and translational research in the Department of Oncological Sciences and will work closely with leaders in the other three areas at Vineyard and at the Salt Lake City campus to collaborate and synergize to transform cancer care for the Mountain West and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• · Define and execute the strategic vision for the CDAI Division, in collaboration with aligned leaders.
• · Help recruit faculty to the CDAI Division and, if applicable, to the Vineyard campus.
• · Build and manage transdisciplinary teams between the two campuses and across oncological sciences, bioinformatics, and computer science.
• · Lead an innovative research program in AI-driven cancer biology, diagnostics, and/or therapeutics.
• · Provide mentorship for early career faculty in the CDAI Division and participate in education of the next generation of cancer data scientists by participating in training programs and research mentorship.
• · Foster collaborations with academic institutions (e.g., UVU , BYU ) and Silicon Slopes tech partners.
• · Secure extramural funding and oversee large-scale research initiatives.
• · Translate data science innovations into real-world clinical applications.
• · Represent the CDAI Division on national and international platforms.

Qualifications

• · Associate or Full Professor with a PhD, MD, or equivalent in computational biology, data science, computer science, engineering, oncology, or related fields.
• · Exceptional communication and team-building skills.
• · Proven leadership in AI or data science with healthcare research applications.
• · Strong publication and funding record.

Preferred Expertise

• · Machine learning, generative AI, large language models (LLMs), and data integration.
• · Oncology data types: Molecular data (genetics, genomics and epigenomics, spatial -omics, systems biology, molecular epidemiology), EHRs, imaging, digital health, and real-world evidence.
• · Bridging research with clinical and population data.

What We Offer

• · A collaborative, mission-oriented academic environment. HCI and the University of Utah are known for their highly collaborative and collegial culture, where faculty work across disciplines to solve the most pressing challenges in cancer care. The successful candidate will thrive in this environment, building bridges between clinical, research, and community teams to deliver measurable impact.
• · Access to rich datasets and advanced computational infrastructure, with a new $50 million pledge to advance AI for cancer research
• · Synergy with Scientific Computing Institute ( SCI ), the Data Exploration and Learning for Precision Health Intelligence ( DELPHI ), Responsible Artificial Intelligence ( RAI ), and other University initiatives
• · Strategic partnerships with federal agencies and regional health systems.
• · Competitive compensation and benefits.
• · Leadership support to establish a nationally recognized center of excellence in cancer data and AI.

Values and Culture

The University of Utah Health (U of U Health) is a patient focused center distinguished by collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. The U of U Health values candidates who are committed to fostering and furthering the culture of compassion, collaboration, innovation, accountability, acceptance, integrity, quality, and trust that is integral to our mission.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Information

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities. Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX ( OEO ). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number, can be located at https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/. Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu.

Open Date

01/26/2026

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Requisition Number

PRN04001F

Type

Faculty

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• One measure of faculty diversity at the School of Medicine is the proportion of faculty members who come from a rural background. Did you graduate high school from a town with less than 10,000 persons?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Research Statement

Optional Documents

• Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Description for More Information – Appropriate discharge document (such as DD-2214) – Veteran Only
• Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Document Description for More Information – Addendum to the University of Utah – Veteran Only
• Letter of Recommendation 1
• Letter of Recommendation 2
• Letter of Recommendation 3

University Human Resource Management 250 East 200 South, Suite 125 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Contact us: [phone] By Email: [e-mail]