Cancer Center Director

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Inc.; Cold Spring Harbor (NY); On-site; USD 475,000 - 600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On‑campus housing possible

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) invites applications for the role of Director of the CSHL NCI-designated Cancer Center. This high‑impact leadership role shapes the Center’s scientific direction and its influence on cancer research across CSHL and partner institutions.

The Director will guide strategy, recruit talent, mentor investigators, and drive translation with Northwell Health. The successful candidate will be an internationally recognized cancer researcher with a distinguished funding

Qualifications

• PhD, MD, MD‑PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree in biomedical sciences.
• International reputation as an accomplished cancer researcher.
• Sustained track record of successful extramural funding and impactful publications.

Responsibilities

• Provide the strategic vision and operational leadership for the Cancer Center and CSHL.
• Guide research strategy and strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Help recruit and mentor outstanding investigators.
• Advance translation of fundamental discoveries, particularly through CSHL’s partnership with Northwell Health.
• Represent the Cancer Center in key institutional decision‑making forums, including the CSHL Board of Trustees.
• Collaborate with the CSHL Advancement Department on fundraising for cancer research.
• Represent CSHL in the broader cancer research community.

Skills

Leadership

Collaborative research

Talent development

Mentorship

Strategic vision

Fundraising

Recruitment

Education

PhD/MD/MD-PhD in biomedical sciences

Job description

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) invites applications for the role of Director of the CSHL NCI-designated Cancer Center. This is an opportunity for an accomplished cancer scientist and collaborative leader to shape the Center’s scientific direction and its influence on cancer research well beyond CSHL. Reporting to the CSHL President, the Cancer Center Director will:

• Provide the strategic vision and operational leadership for the Cancer Center and CSHL
• Guide research strategy and strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration
• Help recruit and mentor outstanding investigators
• Advance translation of fundamental discoveries, particularly through CSHL’s partnership with Northwell Health
• Represent the Cancer Center in key institutional decision‑making forums, including the CSHL Board of Trustees
• Collaborate with the CSHL Advancement Department on fundraising for cancer research
• Represent CSHL in the broader cancer research community.

The successful candidate will be an internationally recognized cancer researcher with a distinguished record of scientific accomplishment, a history of successful extramural funding, experience promoting collaborative research, and demonstrated leadership experience.

One of eight NCI-designated basic laboratory cancer centers, the CSHL Cancer Center has held an NCI Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) since 1987 and remains a pre‑eminent basic cancer center with a strong track‑record of making high‑impact, fundamental research discoveries that shape our understanding of cancer biology. The Cancer Center brings together 45 members across three Research Programs, supported by ten CCSG‑funded Shared Resources. Due to a recent expansion of research facilities, the new Director will play a major role in recruiting new Cancer Center members. Member research spans every stage of cancer, from initiation and progression to metastasis and treatment resistance, including cancer interactions with the immune and nervous systems. The Center also incorporates AI and quantitative biology approaches to cancer research. CSHL maintains a strategic partnership with nearby Northwell Health, the largest health care provider in New York State, and its Cancer Institute, creating unique opportunities for translational and clinical collaborations. The successful candidate may have a clinical appointment there.

The Cancer Center renewed its CCSG in 2025, which gives the new Director a stable foundation and substantial latitude to shape the Center’s research priorities, recruitment, and partnerships before the next renewal. The Director will also help define how a leading basic research institution and the largest health system in New York State work together to turn fundamental discoveries into patient benefit.

CSHL is a world‑renowned research and educational institution located on the North Shore of Long Island, New York. Its scientists have made foundational discoveries in genetics, molecular biology, and cancer biology, among other areas of research. The highly ranked School of Biological Sciences at CSHL trains PhD students, including through a recently launched Biology and Artificial Intelligence PhD program. CSHL also has partnerships with nearby Stony Brook University and with the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell that allow PhD, MD, and MD‑PhD students there to conduct thesis research in CSHL labs.

The successful candidate will be expected to maintain an active research laboratory and will receive dedicated research space and a competitive start‑up package tailored to their research program, with access to advanced experimental and high‑performance computational resources. They will also benefit from a highly collaborative scientific environment and access to the many scientific seminars, conferences, and courses run through the CSHL Meetings & Courses Program and the CSHL Banbury Center, which bring world experts to its campus year‑round.

Compensation and Benefits:

Our employees are compensated in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our CSHL Benefits site to learn more. The possibility of on‑campus housing can be discussed with the successful candidate. The salary range for this role is $ 475,000 to $600,000, depending on qualifications and other considerations. The salary is a good faith determination of potential base compensation that may be offered to a successful applicant for this position at the time of this job advertisement, and may be modified in the future. When determining a base salary and/or rate, several factors may be considered as applicable (e.g., years of relevant experience, education, credentials, clinical responsibilities and MD certification, as well as internal equity).

Qualifications

Required

• PhD, MD, MD‑PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree in biomedical sciences
• International reputation as an accomplished cancer researcher
• Sustained track record of successful extramural funding and impactful publications

The successful candidate may also have:

• Experience in leading complex teams, promoting team science, and academic leadership
• Demonstrated success in faculty recruitment, mentorship, and talent development
• Track record of fostering translational and research partnerships

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

CSHL is an EO Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or protected veteran status. VEVRAA Federal Contractor