Scientific Director, O’Brien Institute for Public Health

Scientific Director, O’Brien Institute for Public Health

Cumming School of Medicine

University of Calgary

The Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, invites applications for the position of Scientific Director, O’Brien Institute for Public Health. This is a key leadership position within the Cumming School of Medicine. The successful candidate would be offered an academic appointment with Tenure at the Professor level.

The O’Brien Institute for Public Health is a research Institute based in the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. The Institute was launched in 2010 and now ranks among the leading public health research organizations in Canada. The Institute’s 500+ members include researchers, educators, clinician-scientists, and decision-makers working throughout the University of Calgary faculties and Alberta Health Services (the single health authority for the province of Alberta), as well as key researchers and stakeholders from the City of Calgary, Alberta Health, health-oriented non-governmental organizations, and other academic institutions. The Institute’s global reach is exemplified by its designation as a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Classification, Terminology and Standards.

The O’Brien Institute for Public Health and its founding partners are searching for a proven leader and distinguished scientist to assume the role of Scientific Director. The Scientific Director is responsible for realizing the Institute’s vision of “Better health and Healthcare” and guide its mission “to produce evidence that informs health policy and practice.”  The Scientific Director will provide scientific and administrative leadership to fulfill the Institute’s strategic directions, and to attract and strengthen resources so that the Institute’s vision is achieved. Communicating and reporting to the Institute’s Strategic Advisory Board and International Scientific Advisory Group, and members about the Institute’s programs and performance will be an important aspect of the Scientific Director’s role. The ability to collaborate effectively with other Cumming School of Medicine leaders to support the school’s focus on precision health is essential. The Scientific Director will also manage considerable financial resources supporting the core operations of the Institute.

Qualifications include a PhD and/or MD.  Candidates must have a strong academic background with academic qualifications commensurate with a tenured appointment at the rank of Professor as well as demonstrated internationally recognized research achievements as evidenced by a track record in obtaining competitive research funding and publishing in high impact scientific journals, as well as administrative leadership experience in an academic setting. If the successful candidate wishes to practice clinically, eligibility for licensure in the Province of Alberta is required.  The future Scientific Director must model and embrace the core values of the O’Brien Institute for Public Health which have been integral to its success to date. These include collegiality, disciplinary and methodological diversity, service, and commitment to excellence in both health services and population health research.  Academic duties will include research, education, and service.

The Institute has three strategic research priority themes - 1) Enhanced Health Systems Performance, 2) Improved Population Health, and 3) Innovative Tools and Methods for Public Health (https://obrieniph.ucalgary.ca/), and engages in significant knowledge translation, network development, and capacity building activities supported by cross cutting platforms offered through the Cumming School of Medicine and its other Institutes. The Institute attracts new research revenues in excess of $12 million annually among other notable metrics of success (https://obrieniph.ucalgary.ca/files/iph/isag-2019-ria-v13-final-jul-24.pdf).

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders - in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world-class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.

The Cumming School of Medicine seeks to recruit and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce that will contribute to creating the future of health. We are committed to fostering diversity through cultivating an environment where people with a variety of backgrounds, genders, interests, and talents feel welcome and supported.

Interested individuals are encouraged to submit an application online via the 'Apply Now' link. Please be aware the application process allows for only four attachments. Your four attachments should be organized to contain the following (which may require you to merge documents such as publications):

• Cover letter and curriculum vitae
• Statement of research interests
• Statement of administrative philosophy and academic goals
• Names and contact information of three (3) references

View full posting and apply: https://medicine.careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/4773737-scientific-director-obrien-institute-for-public-health-cumming-school-of-medicine-university-of-calgary

Questions regarding this opportunity should be addressed to:

Dr. Gerald Zamponi

Senior Associate Dean (Research)

[email protected]

Application deadline: January 17, 2020

The University of Calgary recognizes that candidates have varying career paths and that career interruptions can be part of an excellent academic record. Candidates are encouraged but not required to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions to allow for a fair assessment of their application. Selection committees have been instructed to give careful consideration to, and be sensitive to the impact of career interruptions, when assessing the candidate’s research productivity.  

To learn more about academic opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Academic Careers website (http://careers.ucalgary.ca/).  For more information about the Cumming School of Medicine visit Careers in the Cumming School of Medicine (http://medicine.careers.ucalgary.ca/)

The University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: Are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No)