Director of Cellular Therapy

Director of Cellular Therapy

Details

We are seeking an MD or MD/PhD with expertise in cellular therapy to serve as the Director of Cellular Therapy. This position will provide strategic leadership for the expansion of cellular therapy programs across Huntsman Cancer Institute and the University of Utah Health system.

The successful candidate will play a central role in building and leading a comprehensive cellular therapy network, advancing innovative therapies for patients with hematologic malignancies and other diseases. The Director will work closely with clinical, translational, and laboratory leaders to integrate discovery, manufacturing, and clinical application of cellular therapies.

This leadership position includes protected administrative time, the possibility of an endowed chair, and dedicated programmatic resources to support program development, research initiatives, and network expansion.

The Director will hold a faculty appointment in the Division of Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies within the Department of Internal Medicine and will become an investigator at Huntsman Cancer Institute, an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Program Overview

The Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine (CTRM) Program at the University of Utah provides state-of-the-art infrastructure to support the development and manufacturing of cellular therapy products. The CTRM facility supports:

• Processing of blood and marrow transplant products
• Manufacturing and cryopreservation of cellular therapy products
• Development of investigator-initiated cellular therapies
• Support for clinical trials involving advanced cellular therapies

The program has the capability to develop and produce clinical-grade cellular therapies in-house, enabling investigators and clinicians to translate innovative cellular therapies from bench to bedside.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for cellular therapy programs across Huntsman Cancer Institute and University of Utah Health.
• Build and lead a cellular therapy network across the institution to expand patient access to advanced therapies.
• Collaborate with leaders of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, CTRM, and clinical investigators to develop and implement new cellular therapy programs.
• Oversee development and translation of novel cellular therapy products, including investigator-initiated therapies.
• Work closely with CTRM leadership to support cell processing, manufacturing, and regulatory compliance.
• Partner with investigators to design and implement innovative cellular therapy clinical trials.
• Support grant development, collaborative research initiatives, and extramural funding opportunities.
• Foster multidisciplinary collaborations among clinical, translational, and laboratory investigators.
• Mentor faculty, trainees, and fellows involved in cellular therapy research and clinical programs.
• Contribute to national leadership and visibility in the field of cellular therapy.

Minimum Qualifications

• MD or MD/PhD
• Board certification or eligibility in Hematology/Oncology
• Demonstrated expertise in cellular therapy, including clinical or translational research
• Eligibility for faculty appointment at the University of Utah School of Medicine

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with hematopoietic cell transplantation and cellular therapy clinical programs
• Experience leading or developing cellular therapy networks or programs
• Expertise in cell processing, manufacturing, and regulatory frameworks
• Track record of clinical trial development and extramural funding
• Strong record of academic leadership, mentorship, and collaborative research

Apply online: Interested candidates should submit a Curriculum Vitae, with a letter of interest and letters of recommendation (multiple preferred) at the following link.

Inquiries may be sent to: Dr. Ramiro Garzon, Division Chief, Division of Hematology & Hematologic Malignancies, at Ramiro.garzon@hci.utah.edu.