Manager - AI Incubation Team - MUSCP

MUSC Health; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

MUSC Health is seeking a Manager for its AI Incubation Team in Charleston, SC, to lead the rapid experimentation and prototype development for novel AI concepts. The role involves evaluating and prioritizing innovative ideas, managing a team of data scientists, and ensuring that prototypes are developed ethically and in compliance with best practices. Candidates should have a Master's degree and at least 3 years of relevant leadership experience in AI or related fields. Join MUSC Health to transform healthcare through AI!

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of relevant leadership experience in AI, ML, data science, or innovation environments.
• Hands-on experience in supporting AI projects and early-stage concept development.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical contributors effectively.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate AI concepts for feasibility and alignment with MUSC's priorities.
• Manage a team of data scientists and ML engineers across multiple projects.
• Oversee the development of prototypes ensuring compliance with ethical AI practices.
• Coordinate with teams to transition prototypes into deployment.

Skills

AI project support

Leadership in data science

Rapid experimentation

Feasibility analysis

Prototyping

Education

Master's degree

PhD preferred

Job description

Job Description Summary
The Manager of the AI Incubation Team leads MUSC’s rapid experimentation and prototype development function. This role enables departments with novel AI concepts to receive technical support they cannot execute alone due to resource, skill, or infrastructure limitations. The Manager drives early‑stage innovation, assesses feasibility, develops prototypes, and transitions validated concepts into enterprise deployment pathways.

Primary Areas of Responsibility

• Concept Intake, Evaluation & Prioritization – 30%
• Evaluate AI ideas for enterprise value, feasibility, and alignment to MUSC priority areas.
• Build a multi‑criteria prioritization process for incubation candidates.
• Serve as the key decision‑maker for scoping and defining novel concepts.
• Incubation Team Leadership – 25%
• Manage a team of Jr. Data Scientists and ML Engineers.
• Ensure balanced allocation across multiple incubation projects.
• Foster an innovative, experimentation‑friendly environment.
• Prototype Development & Technical Oversight – 25%
• Oversee feasibility testing, rapid prototyping, data assessment, and validation.
• Ensure prototypes are developed using responsible, ethical, and compliant AI practices.
• Document technical frameworks and readiness criteria for downstream teams.
• Transition to Deployment & Stakeholder Integration – 15%
• Coordinate with Strategy & Ops and Clinical Data teams to ensure smooth transition of validated prototypes.
• Prepare design packets, implementation recommendations, and risk notes for deployment teams.
• Innovation Leadership & Enterprise Impact – 5%
• Maintain a pipeline of emerging AI opportunities across clinical, research, operational, and academic domains.
• Serve as the Center’s innovation engine to push the boundaries of applied healthcare AI.
• Seek to patent, and implement novel concepts into active execution and royalty streams for MUSC.

Key Annual Performance Objectives

• Deliver 2–3 validated AI innovations annually (deployed, validated, or patentable).
• Increase MUSC’s internal capacity for early‑stage AI exploration.
• Reduce barriers preventing departments from pursuing high‑impact AI ideas.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree required; PhD preferred.
• Experience: 3–5 years of relevant experience with leadership exposure in AI, ML, data science, research engineering, or innovation environments.
• Technical Capability: Hands‑on experience supporting AI projects, prototyping, data analysis, or early‑stage concept development.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead technical contributors (data scientists, ML engineers).
• Innovation Skillset: Experience in rapid experimentation, feasibility analysis, or proof‑of‑concept development strongly preferred.

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

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