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

Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) invites applications from exceptional, visionary leaders for 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 efforts that build on the institution’s strengths, mentor faculty, and pursue partnerships with industry, government, non-profit, and higher education collaborators to 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 programs in biological sciences, biomedical engineering, bioengineering, and biochemistry. They will also play a key role in deploying physical assets to support the initiative, including the Bioplex, a $132M, 127,000 SF facility under construction and scheduled to open in 2028.

Position Description

The Founding Director is charged with building and leading interdisciplinary teams of faculty, staff, and external partners to develop emerging technologies for biotech and biomedical applications. Industry partnerships (e.g., research consortia, NSF IUCRC) will be critical to supporting the Kummer Institute’s broader mission of advancing economic development.

The Director will develop a bold, collaborative vision for the center that leverages campus resources and faculty strengths while positioning Missouri S&T for international prominence in bioinnovation and medical engineering. The Founding Director will hold a faculty appointment at the rank of professor within a department aligned with their expertise, although the primary focus will be leading major multidisciplinary research proposals—especially with industry—and fulfilling center leadership duties.

Qualifications

• Proven strategic leadership skills, including the ability to develop and enact a vision that enhances interdisciplinary research, expands industry partnerships, attracts new collaborators, and raises the university’s profile.
• Demonstrated success in leading collaborative research and workforce development initiatives, including coordination of large-scale grants involving diverse academic, industry, and government or non-profit partners.
• Credentials necessary for a faculty appointment with tenure at the rank of Professor in a relevant academic department at Missouri S&T.

To Apply

The priority review deadline is September 22, 2025. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter outlining qualifications and vision for the role, a curriculum vitae, and a separate statement about their leadership qualifications. Finalists will be asked to provide contact information for at least five 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 may be directed to hrrecruit@mst.edu.