Research Director, Associate Professor, Osher Center for Integrative Health, Family Medicine

University of Cincinnati; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a Research Director to lead innovative research in integrative health. This role focuses on developing evidence-based practices for integrative therapies, including nutrition and exercise, aimed at chronic disease prevention and treatment. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team and have the opportunity to secure funding for groundbreaking projects. With a commitment to improving patient outcomes, this position offers a dynamic environment to advance your academic research career while making a significant impact in the field of integrative medicine. Join a vibrant community dedicated to transforming health care delivery through research and collaboration.

Benefits

Comprehensive insurance plans

Flexible spending accounts

Employee wellness program

Paid time off

Tuition remission

Discounts for activities and services

Qualifications

• PhD, MD, or equivalent required with 5-7 years of research experience.
• Experience in clinical trials and grant writing is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead integrative health research and develop a high-performing team.
• Secure funding and manage study staff while ensuring compliance.

Skills

Quantitative skills

Qualitative skills

Analytic skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

PhD, MD, or doctoral equivalent

Tools

Grant writing

Research protocols

Data analysis

Job description

Research Director, Associate Professor, Osher Center for Integrative Health, Family Medicine

Current UC employees must apply internally via SuccessFactors

Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the nation’s best urban public research universities. Home to 53,235 students, more than 11,000 faculty and staff and 350,000+ living alumni, UC combines a Top 35 public research university with a physical setting The New York Times calls “the most ambitious campus design program in the country.”

With the launch of Next Lives Here, the Cincinnati Innovation District, a $100 million JobsOhio investment, three straight years of record enrollment, worldwide leadership in cooperative education, a dynamic academic health center and entry into the Big 12 Conference, UC’s momentum has never been stronger. UC’s annual budget stands at $1.85 billion, and its endowment totals nearly $1.8 billion.

Job Overview

The Osher Center for Integrative Health (OCIH) in Cincinnati, Ohio seeks an experienced research director to lead and expand integrative and lifestyle medicine research at the Osher Center. Candidate will lead integrative research design, protocols and funding to inform evidence-based practices of integrative therapies, such as acupuncture, mind-body therapies, and/or lifestyle approaches such nutrition and exercise, for the prevention and treatment of chronic disease. This director will be part of the senior leadership team of the Osher Center and will work closely with the Center Director, Medical Director, and Education Director to align with the Center’s overall mission and vision.

About the Position

Research Directors are leaders within our university and health system whose major responsibility is to assure and continuously improve the delivery of high-quality, innovative and evidence-based care to patients through innovative research. This is a leadership research position for an individual interested in furthering her/his/their academic research career with a focus on integrative health and building a world-class research program broadly assessing integrative and lifestyle medicine approaches to healthy living and the application of integrative therapies.

The Research Director will be responsible for building a sustainable integrative health research portfolio that will align with the University of Cincinnati, the Osher Center and UC Health system priorities. This person will work closely with the Medical Director of the Osher Center as well as other researchers and clinicians at the university. The position is primarily research-focused, with at least 40% research/administrative time.

The Research Director will develop and lead a high performing multi-disciplinary and inter-professional team of experts focused on researching and evaluating integrative health and integrative/lifestyle medicine approach while focusing on investigating novel, interdisciplinary research questions related to identifying, testing and implementing effective integrative clinical research protocols and optimizing wellness during pre- and post-active treatment phases and secondary prevention via integrative/lifestyle medicine approaches.

Essential Functions

• Develop a world-class integrative health research program seen as a local, national, and international leader in the field.
• Work with the UC Health clinical care teams in strategic partnership to define and design long-term academic directions and build a network of researchers and educators with interests in integrative modalities/lifestyle medicine.
• Act as a national resource for evidence-based evaluation of integrative medicine and implementation research.
• Facilitate inter-institutional and interdisciplinary research across the university community – building an integrative health research network.
• Develop and maintain a research program in a relevant area and mentor junior faculty, pre-and post-doctoral fellows, staff, and medical students.
• Conduct several areas of research such as:
• Conduct epidemiology research to evaluate risk factors (e.g. clinical, psychological) and biomarkers (e.g. genetic, inflammatory) associated with the symptom burden of chronic illness treatment.
• Conduct clinical trials research to develop and test novel interventions that address common symptoms of patients (e.g. pain, insomnia, fatigue, and cognitive impairment) or address secondary prevention and wellness protocols post-treatment.
• Disseminate and implement research to determine optimal approaches that ensure research evidence is translated into community settings to improve patient outcomes, particularly in under-resourced communities.
• Examine a broad range of integrative therapies and lifestyle medicine approaches for disease prevention, control, treatment, and secondary prevention.
• Secure funding, write grant proposals, develop and implement research protocols, manage study staff, analyze data, and prepare manuscripts/presentations.
• Initiate competitive pilot research program in Integrative Oncology with start-up funds provided.
• Actively ensure compliance with federal and state regulatory requirements, as well as UC and UC Health policies and standard operating procedures.
• Commit to understanding the budget and financial drivers of the research activity within designated scope, including visibility to and annual input on the operating and capital budgets.
• The Research Director shall demonstrate proficiency within 1 year, and develop expertise within 3 years, in performance improvement methods and data-driven decision-making. Training, coaching and experiential learning will be provided as needed.
• The Research Director shall commit to continuously improving leadership skills consistent with organizational needs and methods.
• The Research Director will assess results achieved within their strategically aligned set of goals as well as leadership assessment using direct observation, self-assessment and 360 degree team evaluations.
• PhD, MD, or doctoral equivalent in fields such as Health Outcomes Research, Psychology, Neuroscience, Behavioral Science, Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, Epidemiology, Naturopathic Medicine, Medicine or other field related to the clinical practice and research of integrative/lifestyle medicine.
• At least 5-7 years of post-doctoral research experience in a related field.
• Experience implementing clinical trials and/or observational studies of integrative therapies and/or lifestyle medicine programs.
• Successful track record of funding, grant writing, and manuscript publication.
• Evidence of national and international reputation.
• Experience with quality improvement methodology and/or implementation science.

Additional Qualifications Considered

• Experience working with under-resourced communities ideal.
• Strong quantitative, qualitative and analytic skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work well within interdisciplinary teams and collaborations.
• Commitment to transforming health care delivery and policy through science.

Compensation and Benefits

UC offers a wide array of complementary and affordable benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, health, and wellness needs of you and your family. Eligibility varies by position and FTE.

• Competitive salary range dependent on the candidate's experience.
• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts and an award-winning employee wellness program, plus an employee assistance program.
• Financial security via our life and long-term disability insurance, accident and illness insurance, and retirement savings plans.
• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, annual holidays, and winter season days in addition to paid parental leave.
• Tuition remission is available for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Enjoy discounts for on and off-campus activities and services.

The University of Cincinnati is an Equal Opportunity Employer.