Job Description

University of Utah Job Description

Job Summary

The System Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) is responsible for leading and managing the health system research and development (R&D) activities. This position is responsible for setting research strategy, overseeing research operations, and ensuring that research aligns with the health system enterprise goals. This position is vital in driving innovation, securing funding, and fostering collaboration within and outside the health system enterprise.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 14+ years of experience, or Master’s and 10 years’ experience in a directly related field such as strategy, planning, or operations. 
• Master’s degree or higher is preferred.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Essential Functions

Your leadership of research across health sciences should focus on the following high-level goals:

• Develop, execute, and evaluate U Health Research strategic direction
• Establish and maintain a culture of research excellence and innovation across U Health faculty
• Identify and leverage the University of Utah's distinct research strengths
• Build engagement and ensure integration of research programs across health sciences and in conjunction with the SVPAA Chief Academic Officer across the University
• Establish system-level priorities for investment and effort, and ensure alignment across U Health schools, colleges, centers/institutes, and clinical entities for financing and deployment
• In collaboration with Advancement and the Research Development Officer, grow the mission’s philanthropic footprint
• Guide and evaluate research initiatives
• Build effective approaches for communication and dissemination of the research strategy

With these goals in mind, your responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Oversight of the research enterprise across the University of Utah Health Sciences, working in close conjunction with the University Vice President for Research
• Convening of the Research Strategy Group to develop and ensure alignment across U Health Schools and Colleges and HCI
• Build and maintain a strong AVP/R leadership team that represents basic, translational, clinical, and population science and research; a robust SVPHS research office; and engaged research committees
• Oversee, optimize, and grow the allocation and deployment of the diverse funding streams that support the research excellence mission
• Develop the research-aligned strategy in conjunction with Impact 2030 working in conjunction with the Senior Vice President for Health Sciences and in coordination with the Deans of the Colleges of Health, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, as well as the main campus and research advisory and executive teams
• Develop tools and mechanisms to increase impact and quality of recruitment and coordinate research faculty hires across the health sciences and the main campus
• Oversee the efficient allocation of research space and in collaboration with Space Planning, develop and execute a research space master planning for the next 5-7 years
• Oversee core facilities, and grow the financial viability of those cores including working with appropriate partners on external use
• In partnership with the development and marketing leadership, support research development and marketing activities to enhance the national and international profile of our faculty, research programs, and clinical mission, and to secure additional external funding
• Develop and manage the SVP for Health Sciences research budget
• Lead initiatives to enhance the research success of our faculty through robust career development programs, enhancing awareness of funding opportunities, building stronger graduate student and post-doctoral fellow programs, and nominating faculty for prizes and awards
• Manage all other projects as assigned by health system executive leadership

Problem Solving

Skills & Abilities:

• Deep understanding of research methodologies and data analysis techniques
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in using statistical software and tools
• Ability to identify and evaluate research opportunities
• Strategic planning and vision
• Financial management and budgeting
• Understanding of research ethics and compliance
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Team management and leadership