Position Description:
Director, Cell & Tissue Engineering
Medical College of Wisconsin, Children’s Research Institute, and Herma Heart Institute
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Medical College of Wisconsin, Children’s Research Institute and the Herma Heart Institute at Children’s Wisconsin together are seeking a MD, PhD, or MD/PhD leader in the field of cell and tissue engineering with a strong interest in developing collaborative and translational research programs across child health clinical disciplines, including congenital heart disease. The appointment is anticipated at the Associate or Full Professor level.
This individual will serve as the Director of Cell and Tissue Engineering, leading a team of multidisciplinary and collaborative research groups, and mentoring the next generation of researchers to further elevate the national reputation of the Medical College of Wisconsin, Children’s Research Institute, and the Herma Heart Institute at Children’s Wisconsin. In addition, the Director will establish and sustain a robust, extramurally funded research program with a focus on translating basic research discoveries into clinical applications to improve childhood diseases, including congenital heart disease. National leaders in areas of cell therapy, stem cell engineering, tissue engineering, 3D bioprinting and/or biomaterials with the intent of studying appropriate model systems and an interest in progression towards clinical trials are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will join a nationally acclaimed Quality, Outcomes, and Research program which boasts substantial active extramural and private funding, and continued presence in national arenas related to child health.
This research-based position provides a unique opportunity for the Director to apply a vision for translational cell and tissue engineering that aligns with existing clinical and research excellence. Pertinent to congenital heart disease, the Herma Heart Institute at Children’s Wisconsin leads a highly reputable basic translational and clinical research program with a focus on single ventricle disease, valvular abnormalities, and vascular anomalies. In taking a precision medicine approach, the Herma Heart Institute has developed a highly valuable patient-specific cord blood, iPSC and stem cell biorepository and tissue bank that aligns with accessible clinical data platforms and registries. The Herma Heart Institute also boasts a dynamic visualization program that encompasses patient-specific 3D printing/bioprinting for cardiothoracic-based research and clinical applications. This role will have the chance to work closely with substantial efforts in regenerative medicine such as intestinal replacement and cleft palate repair, which are supported by innovative research teams developing organoid systems and animal models to delineate cellular and molecular mechanisms of development and disease in these areas.
Herma Heart Institute (HHI)
The Herma Heart Institute at Children’s Wisconsin is the largest pediatric cardiac care center in the state and highly ranked for its advancements in understanding and treating congenital heart disease, particularly complex single ventricle lesions. The HHI provides elite care for patients with congenital heart disease prenatally through adulthood and continue to challenge the standard of care through new treatment strategies. In partnership with our cutting-edge clinical pediatric cardiac care program, the HHI is committed to research and innovation and is paving the way for groundbreaking advancements in the etiology of congenital heart disease through external- and internal-funded basic science, clinical outcomes, and translational research. Together, the integrated and multi-disciplinary team are improving the lives of affected children and their families in the state of Wisconsin, and beyond. The Herma Heart Institute is striving to find new treatments, improve the care of our patients and ultimately discover the cause of congenital heart disease so it can be eradicated. We have been a world leader in defining current and future strategies to improve the health and survival of these children. With our high volume and excellent surgical outcomes together with strong cardiovascular research facilities, we are uniquely poised to advance our Quality, Outcomes, and Research program.
Children’s Research Institute (CRI)
As a children’s hospital in a nationally recognized academic medical center, research is interwoven into the care we provide every day. Children’s Wisconsin allocates a portion of its annual budget to pediatric research with the goal of stimulating research activity focused solely on improving child health outcomes. This research is focused on improving diagnostics, discovering, and testing new therapies, and improving the way we prevent and manage some of the most complex medical conditions. Physician-scientists, nurse-scientists, researchers, and technicians at the CRI seek answers to the toughest questions in pediatric medicine. Since its inception in 2003, the CRI has grown to include more than dedicated 150 researchers spanning all diagnostic, medical, and surgical specialties. Together they form the largest concentration of researchers fully dedicated to pediatric research in Wisconsin. The CRI provides a national reputation, infrastructure, and financial support for pediatric researchers conducting child health research. Types of support include the following:
- Supplemental Grant Support for Early-Stage Investigators
- Competitive Pilot Grants to help investigators test new ideas
- Shared services, including a pediatric translational research unit staffed by pediatric nurses trained on the complexities of regulated clinical research
- Dedicated laboratory space for pediatric researchers
Children’s Wisconsin engages in several national research partnerships with other children’s hospitals including Children’s Oncology Group, Pediatric Heart Network, Midwest Pediatric Surgical Consortium, and Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network. Children’s support of pediatric research is ~$16-17 million annually inclusive of philanthropy and overhead. Much of Children’s philanthropic support for research is targeted to specific diseases. The areas with the most significant donor support of research include pediatric cancer, congenital heart disease, juvenile diabetes and mental and behavioral health research.
Children’s Wisconsin and Children’s Specialty Group
Children’s Wisconsin is the state’s only independent health care system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. With more than 1.3 million annual connections with kids and families statewide, Children’s provides a wide range of care and support — everything from routine care to lifesaving advances and treatment options, foster care and adoption services, child advocacy, and an insurance plan. Children’s and its joint venture with the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Children’s Specialty Group, are the largest providers of pediatric healthcare in the state, serving the children and families of Wisconsin with the highest level of care through their American College of Surgeons Level I Children’s Surgery V Center, Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence, 72-bed Level IV NICU, Level IV Epilepsy Center, and a 72-bed PICU. With over 70 specialties and 675 providers, Children’s Specialty Group had 220,000 outpatient visits at 13 regional care sites, 70,000 emergency department/trauma center visits, and over 9,000 admissions.
Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW)
Bringing together the world’s top scientists and clinicians, inspired students, and invested communities, we are driven to solve the most complex challenges in health and society. MCW is home to a diverse group of thought leaders collaborating to build a healthier world and a continuous cycle of life-changing knowledge. As a distinguished leader and innovator in the education and development of the next generation of physicians, scientists, pharmacists, and health professionals, MCW is home to more than 1,500 students in the Medical, Graduate, and Pharmacy Schools, and over 900 physicians in residency and fellowship programs. Approximately 1,650 physicians, 750 nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other healthcare practitioners care for approximately 521,000 patients of all ages annually.
Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace that includes individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We believe that embracing human differences is critical to realize our vision of a healthier world, and we recognize that a healthy and thriving community starts from within. We strive to integrate our human and social differences into MCW’s functioning, strategies, and culture to create a diverse and equitable workplace. MCW is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status.
Milwaukee
Milwaukee, the largest city in Wisconsin, is located on Lake Michigan’s western shore. A metropolitan area with more than 1.5 million people, Milwaukee is an affordable, comfortable place to live, work, and play, big enough to be exciting and uncongested enough to get around easily. Milwaukee’s many neighborhoods have incredible charm, accommodating a variety of lifestyles, from high-rise apartments to small farms. Nestled along a magnificent bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, Milwaukee’s downtown is home to botanical gardens, museums, a theater district, the world champion Milwaukee Bucks, the Milwaukee Brewers, and many fine restaurants. The lake and its harbors are skirted by scenic parklands and provide first-class opportunities for recreation, including hiking, cycling, boating, and more. A recent study ranked Milwaukee as the 15th most walkable of the 50 largest US cities.
Procedure for Candidacy
Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. All interactions will remain confidential, and no inquiries will be made without the consent of the applicant. Nominations and applications, including current curriculum vitae and a cover letter stating qualifications and reasons for interest in the role, may be submitted to:
Kelli Cameron, M.S., SHRM-SCP, Associate Vice President, Recruitment
kacameron@mcw.edu
#LI-KC1
Position Requirements:
Candidate Qualifications
The qualifications and preferred experience/knowledge/skills for this research-intensive leadership role include the following:
- MD, PhD or MD/PhD, or equivalent degree required. h
- Independent extramurally funded research program or recent history of strong funding portfolio in cell and tissue engineering research or related field. Experience in pediatric applications including congenital heart disease is preferred. Candidates with an established track record related to acquired disease that is applicable to congenital cardiovascular disease are also encouraged to apply.
- Experience in cell and tissue engineering, biomaterial development, cell therapy, stem cell engineering, 3D-bioprinting, organoid development, etc. that will accelerate translation towards clinical trials and practice is encouraged.
- Ability to establish an internationally recognized research program that emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration between basic scientists, translational researchers, engineers and clinician investigators within relevant clinical and basic science departments and centers from across the partner institutions.
- Desire and skill set to advance existing strengths in cell and tissue engineering is preferred, but all relevant areas of basic and translational research in related disciplines such as regenerative medicine will be considered.
- Experience leading, mentoring, and developing a team of research professionals who manage multiple projects at varying stages of development under time pressure.
- Demonstrated national or international reputation.
- Exhibits guiding behaviors that reflect our institutional values and support our mission and vision.
- Ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, enthusiasm, and diplomacy with other dedicated professionals in a rapidly advancing work environment.
MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination
The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.
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