Director Program Biomedical Ethics

THE OPPORTUNITY 
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is seeking highly qualified applicants interested in leading the school's Program in Biomedical Ethics, a collaborative home for the institution's ethics research and education activities. The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is among the top-tier medical institutions in the U.S. for its academic excellence, superior medical care, and innovative research. At UT Southwestern, we are committed to attracting a talented workforce to support our common mission of transforming lives through teaching, research, and service. 

THE INSTITUTION

As one of the premier academic medical centers in the nation, UT Southwestern integrates pioneering research with exceptional health promotion, clinical care, and education. The UT Southwestern Medical Center is located in the heart of the Southwestern Medical District – a nearly 400-acre medical complex 10 minutes north of downtown Dallas. Through its own and affiliated health systems – UT Southwestern University Health System, Parkland Health, Children’s Health, Texas Health Resources, and the VA North Texas Health Care System – UT Southwestern healthcare providers are central to the care of millions of residents in the highly diverse population of North Texas.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Required

• Education
  • M.D., Ph.D., J.D., or equivalent terminal degree.

• Experience
  • 5 years of experience in biomedical ethics, preferably in an academic medical center or health care delivery system with a track record of research, teaching, and the application of ethics to patient care. 
  • Demonstrated expertise in biomedical ethics, clinical ethics, health law, or related discipline and a record commensurate with appointment at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor, including: 
    1. Experience directing or building an ethics program, center, or comparable academic initiative. 
    2. Established record of funded research in biomedical ethics with demonstrated potential to secure external funding. 
    3. Experience working in interdisciplinary environments, especially within academic medical centers or health systems. 
    4. Familiarity with regulatory and compliance frameworks, including IRB oversight, human subjects protections, or research ethics policy. 
    5. Strong mentorship skills, particularly in supporting junior faculty, trainees, and ethics fellows.

Preferred

• Education
  Graduate and postdoctoral training in biomedical ethics.

JOB DUTIES

• The successful candidate should have evidence of leadership experience and national recognition as a scholar and researcher in bioethics, ideally with a record of funded research and publication in bioethics and with experience in medical or graduate education. The ideal candidate will have expertise in biomedical ethics and familiarity with the work of the academic medical center, including clinical, research, and public health dimensions. Areas of particular interest may include the development and use of artificial intelligence in education, research, and healthcare delivery; first-in-human clinical studies; ethical challenges of brain research and clinical care; psychiatric ethics; ethical challenges in cancer and pediatric research and care; and the ethical, legal, and social implications of genomic medicine.
• The new Director will develop a strategic plan for the Program that includes recruiting and retaining top talent, and growing research and educational initiatives in ethics. Key to this leader’s success will be their ability to quickly understand the institution’s environment and identify synergies with other academic leaders necessary to maintain and grow the Program’s impact across the medical school and beyond. The candidate must also be a strong strategic thinker, capable of charting the course for the Program, recruiting and mentoring faculty, and operationally leading institution-wide initiatives.
• The Director of the Program in Biomedical Ethics will plan, direct, and provide administration and leadership for research and educational programs and activities in biomedical ethics at UT Southwestern. Reporting to Provost leadership of UT Southwestern, the Program Director will be responsible for developing and growing ethical academic faculty and resources.
• Responsibilities
  1. Further expand, enrich, and diversify research activities in biomedical ethics.
  2. Develop and implement high-quality educational programs in biomedical ethics.
  3. Work collaboratively with Department Chairs on recruitment and specific education and research needs, and to recruit future faculty with ethical interests.
  4. Work collaborating with the health system's clinical ethics consult service.
  5. Provide ethical insight and guidance regarding system policies and procedures.
  6. Support the identification and expansion of ethics faculty.
  7. Represent UT Southwestern Medical Center in local, regional, national, and international meetings and deliberations regarding ethical issues in health care and biomedical research.
  8. Performs other duties as assigned.

PROCEDURE FOR CANDIDACY

The search committee will review candidates immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Applications should include a detailed curriculum vitae. To ensure full consideration, inquiries, nominations, and applications should be submitted electronically in confidence to the Chair of the Search Committee, Eric D. Peterson, M.D., MPH, Vice Provost and Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Research at Eric.Peterson@UTSouthwestern.edu.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed primarily in general office and/or laboratory areas.

SALARY

Salary negotiable

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community.  As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.  

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.

Appointment rank will be commensurate with academic accomplishment and experience. Consideration may be given to applicants seeking less than a full-time schedule.