The Director of Team Science Development will play a pivotal leadership role within the Division of Cancer Medicine (DoCM) guiding initiatives to foster a culture of collaborative team science and interdisciplinary research. This position is responsible for driving the strategic planning, development, and submission of large-scale, multi-investigator, and multi-institutional grant applications. This role will be responsible for implementing the Division's research goal of maximizing impact through coordinated scientific collaboration, optimizing resource allocation, and driving strategic planning aligned with institutional goals. The Director will work closely with faculty, department chairs, research administrators, and institutional leadership to support high-impact team science initiatives aligned with the Cancer Center's strategic goals and will implement structures and systems that enhance research productivity. In addition, the Director will also lead training and mentorship activities to build institutional capacity in collaborative grant development and management.
The ideal candidate will have five or more years of pre-award and post-award management of NIH or NCI grants.
Why Us?
Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.
Job Functions
Strategic Development & Implementation
Lead the development and execution of the DoCM strategic plan focused on collaborative team science.
Facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration by identifying synergies across departments and fostering new investigator teams to support complex, multi-disciplinary grant proposals.
Identify and prioritize team science funding opportunities (NIH, DoD, foundation, and other mechanisms) that align with institutional research strengths and priorities.
Lead the coordination and development of large-scale, multi-PI grant applications, including overseeing timelines, scientific narratives, administrative components, and budget alignment.
Provide scientific editing and strategic input on Specific Aims, Research Strategies, and programmatic components to enhance proposal competitiveness.
Serve as a liaison between DoCM and institutional research support offices (e.g., Sponsored Programs, Research Development, Finance) to ensure smooth submission and compliance.
Establish and manage a strategic planning task force or working group with faculty representation across divisions.
Cross-Institutional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
Foster ongoing relationships with other divisions, departments, and centers across the institution to build a pipeline of collaborative research initiatives.
Partner with external collaborators, institutions, and consortia to support large-scale proposals with multi-site involvement.
Represent the Division of Cancer Medicine on institutional working groups, committees, and initiatives focused on research development and academic advancement.
Organize faculty meetings, workshops, and interactive forums to encourage cross-disciplinary communication and collaboration.
Lead the planning and execution of symposia and seminars focused on team science methodologies and strategies.
Training, Mentorship, and Capacity Building
Design and implement training programs, workshops, and one-on-one consultations focused on NIH grant development, with an emphasis on multi-PI and collaborative funding mechanisms.
Mentor junior and mid-career investigators in team science best practices, proposal preparation, and effective collaboration strategies.
Develop templates, toolkits, and internal guidance documents to support consistent, high-quality submissions across the division.
Performance Tracking and Metrics
Design and implement performance indicators and tracking mechanisms to monitor progress toward team science goals.
Align faculty productivity metrics with team science success indicators.
Report regularly on strategic progress, faculty engagement, and collaborative outputs (e.g., joint publications, cross-discipline projects).
Conduct resource and workload assessments to identify opportunities for staffing optimization, as well as develop and implement strategies for efficient resource allocation that supports interdisciplinary research.
EDUCATION
Required: Bachelor's Degree Science or medically related field, business or healthcare administration.
Preferred: Master's Degree Related field.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Required: 5 years Academic research setting facilitating research program development and management of research resources to include two years of supervisory/management experience. or
Required: 3 years Required experience to include two years of supervisory/management experience, with Master's degree.
Preferred: 5 years or more of pre-award and post-award management of NIH or NCI grants.
Successful completion of the LEADing Self Accelerate and/or LEADing Self Discover programs may substitute for one year of required supervisory or management experience. Completion of both programs can be substituted for a maximum of two years of supervisory or management experience.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Must pass pre-employment skills test as required and administered by Human Resources.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent https://www.utsystem.edu/offices/employee-benefits/ut-retirement-program/voluntary-retirement-programs, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html
Additional Information
Requisition ID: 178474
Employment Status: Full-Time
Employee Status: Regular
Work Week: Days
Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 111,000
Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 139,000
Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 167,000
FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
Fund Type: Hard
Work Location: Remote
Pivotal Position: Yes
Referral Bonus Available?: No
Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes
LI-Remote
