Director, Utah Population Database Shared Resource

Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah is seeking a skilled and innovative leader to serve as Director of the Utah Population Database (UPDB) Shared Resource and conduct a research program in cancer-related data sciences. The HCI Director of the UPDB is expected to also hold a faculty appointment at the Associate or Professor level (tenure-track), in an appropriate Department within the University of Utah in alignment with the expertise and interests of the candidate.

Applications from established scientists engaged in population-based research, particularly population health informatics, genetic epidemiology, environmental epidemiology, and geospatial analysis, will have the opportunity to shape a unique and preeminent resource at the cutting edge of health sciences research through the Utah Population Database Shared Resource. Ideal candidates have a strong track record in developing and using complex data systems for research along the cancer prevention, control, and precision medicine continuum, and are well-positioned to lead the UPDB in a manner reflecting innovative, agile, and state-of-the-art data enterprises. The candidate will have a willingness to engage in cross-institution collaborations and initiatives to serve a broad base of scientific advancement, with a heavy emphasis in the cancer arena. The HCI Director of the UPDB will develop a strategic vision for the UPDB, in partnership with other leaders, and will be a strong advocate for team science, data stewardship, and continuous improvement.

The Utah Population Database, with over 42 million records representing >11 million individuals, has gained distinction nationally as an un-paralleled database for clinical and population studies, gene discovery for cancer and other diseases, epidemiologic investigation, and outcomes research located at HCI at the University of Utah.  See:(https://uofuhealth.utah.edu/huntsman/utah-population-database/).  The UPDB Shared Resource Director will manage the rich and comprehensive population-based medical/epidemiological/genealogical/geospatial database, interact with investigators of more than 250 currently-approved projects, the broader research community, which uses the database, and oversee a large and growing team (~20 FTE) of computer, data management, and analytic professionals in support of the mission of HCI and the University. The HCI Director of the UPDB will report directly to the HCI Senior Director of Population Sciences, and will have a key role in strategic development of the shared resource.

Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah is an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), supporting and fostering a vibrant research enterprise in a highly collegial environment. HCI has a strong history of academic achievement and impact as well as a commitment to excellence in patient care, research, teaching and service. Please visit http://www.huntsmancancer.org, to view our broad scope.

HCI provides an exceptional opportunity for research innovation and leadership in cancer population sciences. The Utah Cancer Registry, a founding member of the NCI SEER program, provides a powerful resource to support cancer research studies. Via affiliations with University Health and Intermountain Healthcare in which clinical records for 85% of the cancer patients in Utah are linked to genealogical, cancer registry, and demographic records, HCI investigators have unprecedented opportunities to advance knowledge in cancer genetics, risk assessment, early detection/prevention, and health outcomes. Tremendous institutional shared resources support research across the University of Utah Health Sciences, including an NIH-supported Clinical and Translational Science Center (hsc.unm.edu/research/ctsc) which provides specialized support for clinical/translational/community research and faculty development. In addition to world-class research infrastructure, HCI has a strong clinical program with a 100-bed cancer specialty hospital, extensively characterized high risk populations, and actively engaged patients.