Director - Microbial Ecology and Emerging Diseases

Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM) and Atrium Health are seeking an exceptional and visionary leader with outstanding credentials in basic, translational, and clinical research to direct a new Center for the Study of Microbial Ecology and Emerging Diseases (CSMEED). The Director's mission is to promote and facilitate multidisciplinary research efforts exploring microbial ecology and its impact on human health. He or she will promote basic, applied, and clinical research to understand the microbial interactome as well as develop and evaluate potential therapeutic modalities.

Responsibilities include:

* Prioritizing CSMEED mission goals and objectives to shape the strategic development process and to promote and ensure collaborative research with other centers and departments across the enterprise as well as government agencies such as CDC and DoD, with the center anticipated to be self-funded within five years.
* The Director will work with existing programs and develop new capacities to facilitate basic mechanistic research and to promote a full spectrum of translational research including preclinical testing in animal models, human clinical trials, and epidemiologic and modeling studies.
* Along with the primary responsibility of leading CSMEED, the successful candidate is also expected to establish his or her own cutting-edge independent research program for which resources will be available. The position will supervise and utilize laboratory, data analytic, and logistical support personnel to facilitate and enhance CSMEED research efforts.
* A majority responsibility of this position is providing direct leadership in grant/proposal writing, including organizing other WFUSOM faculty and staff to pursue new research and development opportunities
* The Director will take a major leadership role in assessing and pursuing new funding opportunities and building the center in order to be successful in securing large projects and programs.
* The Director will meet regularly with financial and administrative staff and project faculty in order to review progress, help resolve issues, and ensure fiduciary integrity of the programs affiliated with the center.
* The Director will be expected to liaise with senior university and health system leadership, funders, donors, and contract officials as needed to resolve issues and update on progress when needed.

The recent combination of Wake Forest Baptist Health and Atrium Health has ushered in a phase of unprecedented growth and evolution that will involve the recruitment of over 40 new research-intensive faculty, which includes a strong commitment to growth in the field of microbial ecology and will further bolster our commitment to the Academic Learning Health System. This recruitment activity, coupled with an evolving integrated healthcare system currently caring for more than seven million patients available to support a broad-based program of clinical, translational and population research is an ideal footprint for accelerating research growth and innovation. The Director of this new center will be expected to build on these existing strengths and capitalize on opportunities created by new discovery within the integrated healthcare system.

Qualifications:
Atrium Health and Wake Forest University are currently home to a highly productive and interactive team of internationally recognized basic, translational, and clinical researchers.

* Applicants must be both highly capable and enthusiastic about being a leader in such a dynamic environment.
* Applicants must have an M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent degree and have exhibited exceptional leadership ability managing complex basic, translational, and clinical research programs.
* The successful candidate will possess the experience to lead multidisciplinary, collaborative activities.
* Candidates must have a detailed understanding of microbial ecology and emerging diseases.
* A background in infectious diseases, microbiology, diagnostics, immunology, and the strategies and principals involved in the development of novel medical countermeasures is preferred.
* Candidates with experience working in federal intramural research programs will be prioritized.