"Founding Director of the Kummer Institute Center for BioInnovation and Medical Engineering #00095985"

Hiring Department

Kummer Institute Center for BioInnovation and Medical Engineering

Job Description

Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) invites applications from exceptional, visionary leaders to the role of Founding Director of the Kummer Institute Center for BioInnovation and Medical Engineering. The Founding Director will lead catalytic research initiatives at the intersection of life sciences, engineering, physical sciences, and medicine that translate discovery and innovation to improve human health. The successful candidate will foster interdisciplinary research efforts that build upon the current and emerging strengths of the institution, leading and mentoring faculty colleagues on these projects, and pursuing innovative new partnerships with industry, government, non-profit and/or higher education collaborators that increase Missouri S&T’s research impact, recruitment of PhD students and faculty, and business creation.

The Founding Director will provide vision and strategic input into Missouri S&T’s expanding academic degree programs in biological sciences, biomedical engineering, bioengineering, and biochemistry. The successful candidate will also play a key role in the deployment of physical assets towards the success of the initiative, including the Bioplex, a $132M, 127,000SF facility that is under construction for a planned 2028 opening.

Position Description

The Founding Director is charged with building and leading successful interdisciplinary teams of faculty, technical and administrative staff, and industry, government and non-profit partners with a focus on developing emerging technologies toward biotech and biomedical applications. Partnerships with industry stakeholders (e.g., industrial research consortia and NSF IUCRC program) will be particularly important to the success of the Director in service to the Kummer Institute's broader goals of enhancing economic development.

The Director will develop a transformational vision for the center that leverages existing campus resources and faculty strengths, while identifying opportunities to lead Missouri S&T toward international prominence in bio-innovation and medical engineering. The Founding Director will hold a faculty appointment at the rank of professor within a department at Missouri S&T that aligns with his/her area(s) of expertise, although the primary focus of this position will be leading and facilitating major multidisciplinary research proposals, especially with industry, and the administrative duties of center leadership.

Successful applicants for the Founding Director position will:

• Be recognized as an international leading researcher in one or more disciplines from biological and medical informatics, biomaterials, bioprocessing/biomanufacturing, drug delivery, biosensors and instrumentation, neurobiology, biomedical engineering, biochemical engineering and related fields.
• Possess the technical expertise and prior accomplishments necessary to make Missouri S&T a global leader in bioinnovation and medical engineering.
• Demonstrate prior evidence of research excellence and establishing a vision, building relationships with industry partners, and establishing coalitions of university and/or government stakeholders to work toward strategic goals, especially major external grants and contracts, in complex, changing environments.
• Build inclusive teams that foster professional development and mentorship, facilitate cooperation and teamwork, and support constructive resolution.
• Hold an unwavering commitment to student success through exceptional research, mentorship, instruction, and career placement activities.

Minimum Qualifications

Must have strategic leadership skills, including the demonstrated ability to develop and enact a vision for the Kummer Institute Center for BioInnovation and Medical Engineering that enhances multi-disciplinary research activity within the university, increases collaboration with industry partners, attracts new external partners, and elevates the stature of Missouri S&T.

Must have demonstrated experience leading highly collaborative research and workforce development initiatives, including the coordination of large research grants with diverse partners in academe, industry, and government or non-profit organizations.

The successful applicant will possess credentials necessary to hold a faculty appointment at the rank of Professor, with tenure, at Missouri S&T in an academic department related to the applicant’s expertise and the center’s activities.

Application Materials

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter outlining their qualifications and vision for this role, a curriculum vitae, and a separate statement about their leadership qualifications. Finalists will be asked to submit contact information for at least four references.

Applications may be submitted directly using the link below or uploaded to the Missouri S&T Careers page at https://hr.mst.edu/careers/. Candidate inquiries about this role may be directed to arrowsmithc@mst.edu.

Application Deadline

Applications will be accepted until this position is filled.