Description

Reporting to the Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology, the next Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Ophthalmology and Director of Research in the Jones Eye Institute will ensure the growth and excellence of its basic science and clinical research programs, balancing both areas of priority for the Department. This individual will be expected to maintain and expand research areas, garner support internally and externally to enhance resources, promote research partnerships within UAMS’s various institutes and clinical partners, and recruit and retain outstanding faculty. The successful individual will have an opportunity to set and execute a strategic vision that will chart the course for this vitally important Department and Institute for years to come. For a visionary and collaborative leader, this is an exciting time to join UAMS, as it is immersed in its bold 10-year Vision 2029 strategic plan and continues to expand its impact across the state and region.

In this next Vice Chair for Research and Director of Research, the College seeks an exceptional scientist with the intellectual vision to develop and expand vision science within the Department. The successful individual will possess significant leadership and communication skills, bring a record of outstanding science, and convey an understanding and commitment to the education mission. The individual will provide effective and creative management to leverage current strengths and to build relationships across UAMS and with partners including Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System. The incumbent will continue to foster a positive culture of collaboration, partnership, and support that is fundamental to UAMS and the Department.

The individual will collaborate with clinical researchers for translational research linking basic science with clinical practice.  This individual will oversee the budget and compliance with grant, legislative, and institutional guidelines. The individual will collaborate closely with other clinical, research, and educational leaders to spearhead interdisciplinary teams and lead cutting-edge projects, fully leveraging the tremendous collaboration opportunities that exist across UAMS. The individual will recruit and support principal investigators and other faculty within the Department in efforts to secure NIH and other grant funding to support research priorities. Moreover, the individual will ensure the delivery of excellent education and research training to medical, graduate students and residents.

Requirements

The following qualifications represent the broad set of skills and personal attributes deemed important for success as the next Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Ophthalmology and Director of Research in the Jones Eye Institute. While no candidate will embody every quality, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional qualifications and personal assets:

• A PhD or MD/PhD in vision science or a related field (required)
• A distinguished record of research and publications that would support appointment as a tenured associate or professor in the UAMS College of Medicine (required)
• Demonstrated contributions to research success relevant to vision science, including a record of successful mentorship, along with a record of academic accomplishments as reflected in publications, research funding, and membership to national and international societies
• Understanding of, and commitment to, advancing excellent educational programs and teaching
• Experience crafting a vision and executing on a strategic plan to elevate a department, center, program, or other unit
• Experience building internal and external partnerships
• Financial acumen and experience in managing complex budgets
• An impeccable reputation for personal and organizational integrity, transparency, compliance, and accountability