Assistant Dean, Clinical Research

*This position is only open to current Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine faculty members. The position is funded at 25% effort, with remaining effort determined by the faculty member’s home department.

Unit: School Of Medicine

Department: Office of Research

Mission or Goal of Unit:

The School of Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University is dedicated to improving health through exceptional and innovative discovery, training, and patient care. Central to this mission is a robust clinical research enterprise that supports faculty in conducting innovative, ethical, and compassionate research that transforms patient care and advances the future of medicine.

Chief Purpose of this position:

The School of Medicine (SOM) seeks an accomplished clinician-investigator to serve as Assistant Dean for Clinical Research. Reporting to the Senior Associate Dean for Research, the Assistant Dean will work closely with the SOM Clinical Research Office (SOMCRO) and with leaders across the University, School of Medicine, and VCU Health.

This individual will be an experienced leader with a strong record of clinical investigation, scholarly productivity, and faculty development. The role is central to SOM’s commitment to strengthening clinical research infrastructure, expanding clinical trials, and fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and integrity.

The Assistant Dean will oversee and advance the SOM’s clinical research mission, strategy, and infrastructure. They will also serve as Medical Director of the SOM Clinical Research Office, providing faculty leadership in scientific integrity, regulatory compliance, and resource advocacy. The position is funded at 25% effort, with remaining effort determined by the faculty member’s home department.

Position Responsibilities:

Strategy & Leadership:

• Define and implement SOM’s strategic vision for clinical research.
• Lead initiatives to expand clinical trials and enhance administrative processes and systems.
• Advance the quality, efficiency, and innovation of clinical research across SOM.
• Define clear metrics and key performance indicators for SOM clinical research and monitor progress towards stated goals.

Collaboration & Partnership:

• Build and sustain collaborations with national and international research organizations, industry partners, and academic institutions.
• Partner with VCU Health, the VCU Office of Research and Innovation, and the Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research to enhance systems, processes, and shared research priorities.
• Collaborate with VCU Health Office of Clinical Research to advance clinical infrastructure and services supporting clinical research activation and management.

Operations, Infrastructure & Compliance:

• Oversee SOM clinical research infrastructure, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop actionable plans to address needs.
• Collaborate with university and health system partners to streamline trial activation, strengthen regulatory compliance, and improve institution-wide research operations.
• Serve as Medical Director of the SOM Clinical Research Office, providing physician leadership for scientific integrity, safety, feasibility, and operational performance of clinical research in SOM.
• Provide oversight and strategic direction for SOMCRO policies, workflows, and service delivery.
• Facilitate cross-unit, cross-institutional collaborations to support improved efficiency in operations for PIs, Study teams, and SOMCRO.

Faculty Mentorship:

• Mentor faculty—especially junior investigators—on research career development, productivity, and specifically in the design, ethical conduct, and regulatory compliance associated with the development and conduct of clinical trials.
• Partner and collaborate with VCU Wright Center to best leverage existing faculty resources for clinical research.
• Partner and collaborate with VCU Wright Center, SOM Research Development and Faculty Affairs, to identify areas to design and support new programs that strengthen faculty development resources for clinical research.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• MD or MD/PhD or equivalent doctoral degree
• Current SOM faculty appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor.
• Extensive experience as a clinical investigator, including designing and conducting clinical trials and a strong record of peer‑reviewed publications.
• Demonstrated success in securing extramural funding for clinical research.
• Deep commitment to ethical, compliant research conduct and strong knowledge of regulatory requirements.
• Proven collaborative academic leadership experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to build consensus, navigate complex organizations, and resolve conflict constructively.
• Unimpeachable integrity and personal ethics.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and process‑management abilities.
• High energy, strong work ethic, and a commitment to meaningful institutional impact.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with and sustained funding from both federal and industry sponsors for clinical trials and observational studies.
• Prior leadership experience in clinical research administration or oversight.
• Experience designing and delivering education or training programs in clinical research.

Rank: Open

Tenure: Open

Months: 12 months

Contact Information: Contact Name: Katherine Mulloy Contact Email: kmulloy@vcu.edu