About the Department

As one of the oldest medical schools in the country, the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (COM) has a reputation for training best-in-class healthcare professionals and developing cutting-edge procedures and research that improves the health and clinical care of patients. Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati embarks upon its third century - building on the past and defining the future by leading urban, public universities into a new era of innovation and impact through its strategic direction, Next Lives Here. Underscoring the power of creativity, ingenuity, and invention, what's Next will accelerate our unrivaled momentum, evidenced by eight straight years of record enrollment and rankings that include placement among America's top 100 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. Home to a student body of nearly 47,000 and more than 4,200 distinguished faculty, the university combines its Research 1 (Very High Research Activity) Carnegie Classification with a physical setting that The New York Times recently acclaimed as "the most ambitious campus design program in the country."

The Osher Center for Integrative Health (OCIH) in Cincinnati, Ohio seeks an experienced research director to lead and expand integrative and lifestyle medicine research, including integrative oncology 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. This individual will collaborate with University of Cincinnati and UC Health leadership to enrich the overall strategic research directions of the institution.

Job Overview

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 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, the UC Cancer 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 Research Director will work with Osher Center affiliated faculty to develop synergies across campus and mentor integrative and lifestyle medicine project faculty and trainees/students. The position is primarily research­ focused, though as an academic health system, education and clinical allocations will also be considered with appropriate support.

The Research Director will hold an academic position, rank to be determined by relevant experience, at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and will have a primary reporting relationship and accountability to the Director of the Osher Center for Integrative Health and the Chair of the Department of Family and Community Medine (DFCM). Continuation of the appointment is contingent upon satisfactory progress toward goals and leadership evaluation.

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, with a portion of the research portfolio focused on integrative oncology.
• Initiate competitive pilot research program in integrative oncology with provided start-up funds.
• 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.
• 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.

Minimum Requirements

• 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

• Integrative oncology experience or interest highly sought after.
• 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.