Director of Cellular Therapy

Utah Education Network; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Utah invites applications for the Director of Cellular Therapy, a leadership role within Hematology. The candidate will guide strategic growth of cellular therapy programs across Huntsman Cancer Institute and University of Utah Health, aligning discovery, manufacturing, and clinical care.

We seek an MD or MD/PhD with proven expertise in cellular therapy, capable of building a network, advancing innovative therapies, and mentoring the next generation of investigators.

Qualifications

• MD or MD/PhD
• Board certification or eligibility in Hematology/Oncology
• Demonstrated expertise in cellular therapy, including clinical or translational research
• Eligibility for faculty appointment at the University of Utah School of Medicine
• Experience with hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapy clinical programs
• Experience leading or developing cellular therapy networks or programs
• Expertise in cell processing, manufacturing, and regulatory frameworks
• Track record of clinical trial development and extramural funding
• Strong record of academic leadership, mentorship, and collaborative research

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for cellular therapy programs across Huntsman Cancer Institute and University of Utah Health.
• Build and lead a cellular therapy network across the institution to expand patient access to advanced therapies.
• Collaborate with leaders of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, CTRM , and clinical investigators to develop and implement new cellular therapy programs.
• Oversee development and translation of novel cellular therapy products, including investigator-initiated therapies.
• Work closely with CTRM leadership to support cell processing, manufacturing, and regulatory compliance.
• Partner with investigators to design and implement innovative cellular therapy clinical trials.
• Support grant development, collaborative research initiatives, and extramural funding opportunities.
• Foster multidisciplinary collaborations among clinical, translational, and laboratory investigators.
• Mentor faculty, trainees, and fellows involved in cellular therapy research and clinical programs.
• Contribute to national leadership and visibility in the field of cellular therapy.

Skills

MD/PhD

Hematology/Oncology board eligibility

Cellular therapy expertise

Faculty appointment eligibility

Hematopoietic cell transplantation

Leadership in cellular therapy

Cell processing & manufacturing

Clinical trial development

Academic leadership & mentorship

Job description

Position Information

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/Rank

Director of Cellular Therapy

Department

00847 - Hematology

City

Salt Lake City, UT

Track

Track Dependent on Qualifications

New Position to Begin

Upon Hire

Details

We are seeking an MD or MD/PhD with expertise in cellular therapy to serve as the Director of Cellular Therapy. This position will provide strategic leadership for the expansion of cellular therapy programs across Huntsman Cancer Institute and the University of Utah Health system. The successful candidate will play a central role in building and leading a comprehensive cellular therapy network, advancing innovative therapies for patients with hematologic malignancies and other diseases. The Director will work closely with clinical, translational, and laboratory leaders to integrate discovery, manufacturing, and clinical application of cellular therapies. This leadership position includes protected administrative time, the possibility of an endowed chair, and dedicated programmatic resources to support program development, research initiatives, and network expansion. The Director will hold a faculty appointment in the Division of Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies within the Department of Internal Medicine and will become an investigator at Huntsman Cancer Institute, an NCI -Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Program Overview

• Processing of blood and marrow transplant products


• Manufacturing and cryopreservation of cellular therapy products


• Development of investigator-initiated cellular therapies


• Support for clinical trials involving advanced cellular therapies

The program has the capability to develop and produce clinical-grade cellular therapies in-house, enabling investigators and clinicians to translate innovative cellular therapies from bench to bedside.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for cellular therapy programs across Huntsman Cancer Institute and University of Utah Health.


• Build and lead a cellular therapy network across the institution to expand patient access to advanced therapies.


• Collaborate with leaders of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, CTRM , and clinical investigators to develop and implement new cellular therapy programs.


• Oversee development and translation of novel cellular therapy products, including investigator-initiated therapies.


• Work closely with CTRM leadership to support cell processing, manufacturing, and regulatory compliance.


• Partner with investigators to design and implement innovative cellular therapy clinical trials.


• Support grant development, collaborative research initiatives, and extramural funding opportunities.


• Foster multidisciplinary collaborations among clinical, translational, and laboratory investigators.


• Mentor faculty, trainees, and fellows involved in cellular therapy research and clinical programs.


• Contribute to national leadership and visibility in the field of cellular therapy.

Minimum Qualifications

• MD or MD/PhD


• Board certification or eligibility in Hematology/Oncology


• Demonstrated expertise in cellular therapy, including clinical or translational research


• Eligibility for faculty appointment at the University of Utah School of Medicine

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapy clinical programs


• Experience leading or developing cellular therapy networks or programs
  
• Expertise in cell processing, manufacturing, and regulatory frameworks


• Track record of clinical trial development and extramural funding


• Strong record of academic leadership, mentorship, and collaborative research

Inquiries may be sent to

Dr. Ramiro Garzon, Division Chief, Division of Hematology & Hematologic Malignancies, at [e-mail].

About Huntsman Cancer Institute and the University of Utah

Huntsman Cancer Institute is an NCI -Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and the flagship cancer center for the Mountain West. The University of Utah Health system provides a dynamic academic environment with strong infrastructure supporting translational science, clinical innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This position offers a unique opportunity to lead the next phase of cellular therapy expansion at Huntsman Cancer Institute and the University of Utah by integrating discovery science, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and cutting-edge clinical care. The University of Utah Health (U of U Health) is a patient focused center distinguished by collaboration, excellence, leadership, and Respect. 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.

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at [phone] for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at [phone] or [phone] or University Human Resource Management at [phone] if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen. https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

Special Instructions for Candidates

Please submit CV with mm/yyyy format for start/end dates.

Open Date

05/08/2026

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Requisition Number

PRN04059F

Type

Faculty

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter


• Research Statement

University Human Resource Management

250 East 200 South, Suite 125 Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Contact us: [phone] By Email: [e-mail]