Senior Director - Clinical Research

Description

Management/Leadership
Req #: 56619

Summary:

The Senior Director - Clinical Research will oversee the clinical arm of the research enterprise and act as a strategic liaison between MHIR and all of MaineHealth's clinical departments. This individual will be instrumental in driving the growth and transformation of our clinical research programs, working closely with service line leaders to expand clinical trial activity across all departments, and fostering new partnerships with industry sponsors.

The Senior Director of Clinical Research will serve as the Principal Investigator for the Northern New England Clinical and Translational Research Network (NNE-CTR) grant, providing strategic oversight of its infrastructure and scientific direction. This role involves close collaboration with existing NNE-CTR administrative staff to manage grant deliverables, pilot programs, and support for junior investigators. In partnership with the Director of the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS), the Senior Director will lead the planning and submission of the next NNE-CTR renewal. Acting as the primary clinical liaison between the MaineHealth Institute for Research (MHIR) and MaineHealth clinical departments, the Senior Director will ensure alignment of research initiatives with clinical priorities. They will spearhead efforts to expand clinical trial activity across all departments and service lines, aiming for broad participation in trials. Additionally, the role supports the integration of Biobank resources, sample testing, and trial partnerships in collaboration with CAST, the Clinical Trials Office (CTO), and NorDx. The Senior Director will also contribute to research data governance, policy development, and long-term strategic planning for MHIR

Required Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

1. Education:MD or DO required; additional PhD and/or MBA or administrative training preferred.
2. License/Certifications:See Education.
3. Experience:Experience as a clinical investigator required. A history of NIH funding and clinical trial experience is preferred.
4. Additional Skills/Requirements Required:Knowledge of clinical trial regulations, operations, and infrastructure. Demonstrated success working across clinical and translational research environments. Strong relationship-building skills with physicians, researchers, and sponsors. Strategic thinker with leadership and team-building experience. Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences. Familiarity with NIH grants and infrastructure programs (e.g., IDeA-CTR, COBRE, INBRE). Commitment to research integrity, mentorship, and equity in access to research. Experience with service line transformation or academic-clinical integration. Knowledge of all regulations governing the protection of human subjects in research. Experience with the development of industry partnerships and IP contracts. Experience with clinical service line transformation and academic integration.
5. Additional Skills/Requirements Preferred:N/A

About the MaineHealth Institute for Research

TheMaineHealth Institute for Research (MHIR), established in 1991, has experienced remarkable growth, driven by successful grant funding and the recruitment of world-class scientists. The institute's full service scientific facilities foster cutting-edge research with a particular focus on basic, translational science and population health. As a part of MaineHealth, the state's largest integrated healthcare system, MHIR collaborates with the network of nine hospitals to enable a seamless connection between scientific discoveries and their real-world application in patient care and community engagement. MHIR has state of the art resources to support basic, translational and clinical research. These include, but are not limited to, twelve scientific cores, an AAALAC accredited rodent facility, data analytics, and grant and clinical research support. MHIR has a diverse multi-disciplinary pool of scientists including basic scientists, physician-investigators, epidemiologists, health services researchers, behavioral and social scientists, biostatisticians, and methodological (quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods) specialists. Our partnership with Tufts University School of Medicine offers appointments for MHIR faculty, and we have ongoing collaborations with the University of New England, University of Southern Maine, University of Maine, University of Vermont, the Jackson Laboratory and Northeastern University/Roux Institute.Please visit our website to learn more.

MHIR is strategically expanding to enhance its success in biomedical and health research. We are fostering stronger partnerships between research and clinical care, while growing our portfolio across basic science, translational research, health services, implementation science, clinical research, and population health outcomes. To support this expansion, we are actively seeking a Senior Director-Clinical Research. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Learn more about the MaineHealth Institute for Researchin this short video!

Portland Maine is a unique and charming place to work and live. Located on the coast, Portland is famous for its picturesque waterfront, scenic harbor, and rugged coastline. The city has a number of beautiful lighthouses, including the iconic Portland Head Light, one of the most photographed lighthouses in the U.S. Portland is renowned for its food culture and boasts a thriving restaurant scene with a focus on fresh, local ingredients as well as two James Beard 2024 award winners. Portland is known as a craft beer hub, with over 20 breweries and brewpubs, making it one of the top beer cities in the country. The city has a strong arts scene, with numerous galleries, museums, and theaters. The Portland Museum of Art, the Portland Stage Company, and the First Friday Art Walk are just a few examples of the city's cultural offerings. With its proximity to mountains, lakes, and the ocean, Portland offers many outdoor activities, from hiking and biking to kayaking and sailing with world class skiing less than an hour away.

Additional Information

If you have questions about this role, please contact matthew.tzuker@mainehealth.org