Atrium Health Wake Forest School of Medicine - Academic Vaccine Clinical Research Leader -Open Rank

Atrium Health Wake Forest School of Medicine-Charlotte Department of Pediatrics at Levine Children’s is seeking for a full – time clinical investigator to serve as Medical Director for Vaccine Clinical Research. 

Background:

 The STRIVE (STrategic, Research, Innovation, Vaccines, and Engagement) Research program at AH LCH was established during Fall of 2020.  Founded by the Vice Chair for Research in Pediatrics to enable COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials in order to provide leadership for AH during the pandemic and for our community, STRIVE has grown to encompass vaccines to protect against multiple pathogens across the lifespan.  The program has facilities in two locations and works with varied populations.  In addition, a full-time dedicated team includes 2 research APPs, a vaccine research manager, research nurses, research coordinators, research associates, phlebotomists and lab support.  The research clinics have labs, pharmacy, clinical exam rooms, and offices for staff.  The program has grown to the point of maturity in needing a full-time person to serve as medical director.

Position details:

This individual will work closely with the Vice Chair for Research in the Wake Forest University School of Medicine-Charlotte, Department of Pediatrics to enhance and further develop the vaccine research program, as well as create a strong research culture in the Department.  S/he will lead the operations of the vaccine program in conjunction with the Pediatric Research Director and the Vaccine Research Manager, under the oversight of the Vice Chair for Research.  S/he will serve as PI on studies, as well as assist in the identification and professional development of additional investigators and recruiting sites.  S/he will work with sponsors to enhance the visibility of the program and grow the research portfolio to include additional industry and federally sponsored trials.  S/he will have an academic appointment in the Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

The research program in the Department of Pediatrics is a vibrant, growing endeavor, committed to developing new researchers, fostering innovation, and promoting research that leads to healthier futures.  We are intent on creating an inclusive program with the research team, clinicians, investigators, and the populations participating in trials and research, coming together around the common goal of a more hopeful tomorrow powered by research.

Beyond the Department:

The new Medical Director will work with providers across the AH enterprise to expand vaccine research to additional locations and populations, fostering collaboration.  This person will work with colleagues at the Center for Vaccines at the Extremes of Aging on the Winston Salem campus of the Wake Forest School of Medicine to grow the Charlotte presence of the Center.  Cross campus, and cross-department collaborations will be fostered.

Opportunities for learners to become involved in research will be encouraged, and expected to grow over time as the medical school presences in Charlotte grows.  The Medical Director will serve as a key leader in developing these programs, as well as fostering research in the Department of Pediatrics, and will have an academic appointment in the Wake Forest School of Medicine.  The medical director will serve as a mentor and leader to support researchers within the CLT Department and also across the multiple departments of pediatrics in the Advocate enterprise. 

The Medical Director will work closely with the Vice Chair for Research to ensure the financial viability of the program, and to develop directions for future growth.  S/he will serve as a mentor to new investigators, as well as assist members of the research team in professional development.  S/he will work to identify new funding opportunities and participate and/or lead new investigator-initiated grant development activity.  Scholarly activity is anticipated, in the form of papers, presentations, and educational offerings.

Qualifications:

• Pediatric physician with significant experience with Vaccine Clinical Trials and research, including as PI on vaccine clinical trials
• Previous experience with developing research and/or clinical programs in complex systems, multidisciplinary collaboration, and operationalizing vaccine trials in multiple settings will be preferred.
• Experience with industry, as well as federal sponsors of vaccine research preferred
• Strong communication skills, with experience as a leader or director
• Evidence of scholarly activity commensurate with level of experience
• Associate Professor (or late Assistant Professor)-level faculty experience preferred
• Experience working within the community to expand engagement in order to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in research and/or clinical care is preferred.

About the setting:

Atrium Health is a long-established clinical system based in Charlotte NC, that came together with Wake Forest University in 2022 and with Advocate Aurora in the mid-West to form Advocate Health in 2023, with the center based in Charlotte.  The enterprise has 81+ hospitals employees.  Wake Forest University School of Medicine, a private medical school in NC founded in 1902, is the academic hub, and is opening a new Charlotte Medical School Campus in Fall 2025. 

The Charlotte hub serves 16 counties clinically, including four counties in South Carolina, with the city of Charlotte serving as the clinical, education and research hub. Located in the heart of the Southeast, Charlotte lies within the southern Piedmont of North Carolina, along the state’s border with South Carolina. Charlotte is the largest and most accessible city between Washington, D.C., and Dallas, Texas. Due to its mid-Atlantic location, getting to Charlotte is easy from anywhere in the country or the world, hence its nickname "the International Gateway to the South."