What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Scientist- Autism position at Nemours?
Job Description
The Swank Autism Center at Nemours Children’s Health is seeking a Research Scientist (open rank) to join our team. The Swank Autism Center provides comprehensive clinical services for children up to age 21 years and conducts research and community-based outreach and training. We are seeking applicants with demonstrable training and experience working in clinical and/or research settings with autistic/neurodivergent children, adolescents, and/or young adults, and their families. The Research Scientist will develop a targeted research program in autism. Current research studies or immediate potential opportunities are available in examining inequities and disparities in healthcare delivery, progressive assessment models, hospital-wide autism initiatives, adolescence/postsecondary transition, and other areas. The Research Scientist will also provide some clinical services as a part of this role, which might include autism diagnostic services, individual/group therapy, and supervising trainees in working with patients and families from the larger Delaware Valley community.
This position will have joint appointments in the Swank Autism Center and the Center for Healthcare Delivery Science – Delaware Valley ( www.nemours.org/chds ). The CHDS is a research center across the Nemours enterprise. Anne E. Kazak, Ph.D., ABPP is the enterprise director, Melissa A. Alderfer, PhD is the Center Director in Delaware and Susana Patton, PhD is the Center Director in Florida. The CHDS includes 20 investigators that study ways to improve health care, health equity, and health and wellness beyond medicine for youth and their families. Research projects span a variety of medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, cancer, cardiac conditions, obesity, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, pain) and other health-related challenges (COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, homelessness, maternal post-partum depression, racism).
The research scientist will join a multidisciplinary team including providers in psychology, developmental medicine, psychiatry, neurology, social work, nursing, and applied behavior analysis, as well as colleagues who are autistic and/or caregivers. The Swank Autism Center has a dedicated Clinical Research Coordinator and CHDS has additional research coordination and data analysis resources.
The Research Scientist would have opportunities to precept trainees including externs, residents, and/or fellows who rotate through the center. Teaching, training, and mentoring are core values in our division and these efforts are supported and encouraged.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
About Us
Nemours Children’s Health is an internationally recognized children’s health system. With more than 1.7 million patient encounters annually, we provide medical care in five states through two freestanding state-of-the-art children’s hospitals — Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware and Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida. Our pediatric network includes 80 primary-urgent-and specialty care practices and more than 40 hospitalists serving 19 affiliated hospitals. We generate annual revenues of more than $1.7 billion derived from patient services, contributions from the Alfred I. DuPont Trust, as well as other income.
As one of the nation's premier pediatric health systems, we’re on a journey to discover better ways of approaching children’s health. Putting as much focus on prevention as cures and working hand in hand with the community to make every child’s world a place to thrive. It’s a journey that extends beyond our nationally recognized clinical treatment to an entire integrated spectrum of research, advocacy, education, and prevention, leading to the healthiest generations of children ever.
Inclusion and belonging guide our growth and strategy. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about, and committed to, leading efforts to provide culturally relevant care, reducing health disparities, and helping build an inclusive and supportive environment. All of our associates are expected to ensure that these philosophies are embedded in their day-to-day work with colleagues, patients and families.
To learn more about Nemours Children’s and how we go well beyond medicine, visit us at www.nemours.org .
About The Team
At Nemours Children’s, our providers and associates work together across specialties, clinics and hospitals, to give children care that's among the safest, most caring and compassionate. As part of a pediatric health system with both clinical and academic partnerships, we are 100% focused on ensuring a healthier future for children. We strive for excellent outcomes across all of our medical and surgical specialties - and we measure these outcomes in order to provide consistent, top-rated care.
We aspire to build a workforce of providers that support the needs of the communities we serve and create a sense of belonging for our patients and families. Nemours Children’s is committed to equal opportunity in welcoming candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Any preference or exclusion based on a protected characteristic is strictly prohibited. To learn more, click here .
Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware
Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware , a 220-bed facility located in Wilmington, serves as a Level IV NICU and the only Pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center in the state. For more than 80 years, its world-renowned care, education and research capabilities have healed hundreds of thousands of children and provided training for thousands of pediatric specialists across the U.S.
In 2023–24, U.S. News & World Report ranked the hospital in five pediatric specialties: cancer, cardiology and heart surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology and GI surgery and orthopedics.
The hospital is a Level 1 Children’s Surgery Center, verified by the American College of Surgeons. This recognition highlights the center's improved surgical quality, reduced complications, lower costs and saved lives.
Our nursing program has earned Magnet status for the third time from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®, demonstrating excellence in health care.
We collaborate closely with Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, providing pediatric specialty care for newborns and in the emergency department, and collaborating closely on research and care for complex conditions.
Wilmington, Delaware
Living in Wilmington, Delaware offers a blend of urban convenience and suburban charm. The city is known for its vibrant cultural scene, historic landmarks and proximity to major East Coast cities like Philadelphia and Baltimore. Residents enjoy a variety of dining options, shopping districts and outdoor recreational opportunities along the Brandywine River. Wilmington is also a hub for business and employment.
The Swank Autism Center at Nemours Children’s Health is seeking a Research Scientist (open rank) to join our team. The Swank Autism Center provides comprehensive clinical services for children up to age 21 years and conducts research and community-based outreach and training. We are seeking applicants with demonstrable training and experience working in clinical and/or research settings with autistic/neurodivergent children, adolescents, and/or young adults, and their families. The Research Scientist will develop a targeted research program in autism. Current research studies or immediate potential opportunities are available in examining inequities and disparities in healthcare delivery, progressive assessment models, hospital-wide autism initiatives, adolescence/postsecondary transition, and other areas. The Research Scientist will also provide some clinical services as a part of this role, which might include autism diagnostic services, individual/group therapy, and supervising trainees in working with patients and families from the larger Delaware Valley community.
This position will have joint appointments in the Swank Autism Center and the Center for Healthcare Delivery Science – Delaware Valley ( www.nemours.org/chds ). The CHDS is a research center across the Nemours enterprise. Anne E. Kazak, Ph.D., ABPP is the enterprise director, Melissa A. Alderfer, PhD is the Center Director in Delaware and Susana Patton, PhD is the Center Director in Florida. The CHDS includes 20 investigators that study ways to improve health care, health equity, and health and wellness beyond medicine for youth and their families. Research projects span a variety of medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, cancer, cardiac conditions, obesity, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, pain) and other health-related challenges (COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, homelessness, maternal post-partum depression, racism).
The research scientist will join a multidisciplinary team including providers in psychology, developmental medicine, psychiatry, neurology, social work, nursing, and applied behavior analysis, as well as colleagues who are autistic and/or caregivers. The Swank Autism Center has a dedicated Clinical Research Coordinator and CHDS has additional research coordination and data analysis resources.
The Research Scientist would have opportunities to precept trainees including externs, residents, and/or fellows who rotate through the center. Teaching, training, and mentoring are core values in our division and these efforts are supported and encouraged.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
- Candidates must hold a PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or other doctoral degree in a health-related discipline and demonstrate evidence of collaborative academic productivity and either success in obtaining funding for research or a strong potential to obtain funding for research.
About Us
Nemours Children’s Health is an internationally recognized children’s health system. With more than 1.7 million patient encounters annually, we provide medical care in five states through two freestanding state-of-the-art children’s hospitals — Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware and Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida. Our pediatric network includes 80 primary-urgent-and specialty care practices and more than 40 hospitalists serving 19 affiliated hospitals. We generate annual revenues of more than $1.7 billion derived from patient services, contributions from the Alfred I. DuPont Trust, as well as other income.
As one of the nation's premier pediatric health systems, we’re on a journey to discover better ways of approaching children’s health. Putting as much focus on prevention as cures and working hand in hand with the community to make every child’s world a place to thrive. It’s a journey that extends beyond our nationally recognized clinical treatment to an entire integrated spectrum of research, advocacy, education, and prevention, leading to the healthiest generations of children ever.
Inclusion and belonging guide our growth and strategy. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about, and committed to, leading efforts to provide culturally relevant care, reducing health disparities, and helping build an inclusive and supportive environment. All of our associates are expected to ensure that these philosophies are embedded in their day-to-day work with colleagues, patients and families.
To learn more about Nemours Children’s and how we go well beyond medicine, visit us at www.nemours.org .
About The Team
At Nemours Children’s, our providers and associates work together across specialties, clinics and hospitals, to give children care that's among the safest, most caring and compassionate. As part of a pediatric health system with both clinical and academic partnerships, we are 100% focused on ensuring a healthier future for children. We strive for excellent outcomes across all of our medical and surgical specialties - and we measure these outcomes in order to provide consistent, top-rated care.
We aspire to build a workforce of providers that support the needs of the communities we serve and create a sense of belonging for our patients and families. Nemours Children’s is committed to equal opportunity in welcoming candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Any preference or exclusion based on a protected characteristic is strictly prohibited. To learn more, click here .
Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware
Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware , a 220-bed facility located in Wilmington, serves as a Level IV NICU and the only Pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center in the state. For more than 80 years, its world-renowned care, education and research capabilities have healed hundreds of thousands of children and provided training for thousands of pediatric specialists across the U.S.
In 2023–24, U.S. News & World Report ranked the hospital in five pediatric specialties: cancer, cardiology and heart surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology and GI surgery and orthopedics.
The hospital is a Level 1 Children’s Surgery Center, verified by the American College of Surgeons. This recognition highlights the center's improved surgical quality, reduced complications, lower costs and saved lives.
Our nursing program has earned Magnet status for the third time from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®, demonstrating excellence in health care.
We collaborate closely with Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, providing pediatric specialty care for newborns and in the emergency department, and collaborating closely on research and care for complex conditions.
Wilmington, Delaware
Living in Wilmington, Delaware offers a blend of urban convenience and suburban charm. The city is known for its vibrant cultural scene, historic landmarks and proximity to major East Coast cities like Philadelphia and Baltimore. Residents enjoy a variety of dining options, shopping districts and outdoor recreational opportunities along the Brandywine River. Wilmington is also a hub for business and employment.
