Vice Chair of Research - USU/WRNMMC Department of Surgery

Join the HJF Team!

The Vice Chair for Research serves as the senior scientific leader for the joint Uniformed Services University/Walter Reed Navy Military Medical Center (USU-WRNMMC) Department of Surgery and is responsible for developing, advancing, and overseeing the department's research enterprise.

This position provides strategic direction for basic, translational, clinical, and military-relevant surgical research programs while fostering a collaborative and productive research environment among faculty, trainees, and staff.

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing military medicine. We serve military, medical, academic and government clients by administering, managing and supporting preeminent scientific programs that benefit members of the armed forces and civilians alike. Since its founding in 1983, HJF has served as a vital link between the military medical community and its federal and private partners. HJF's support and administrative capabilities allow military medical researchers and clinicians to maintain their scientific focus and accomplish their research goals.

• Develop and execute a strategic vision for the Department of Surgery research program that aligns with departmental, institutional, DoD, and military medicine priorities.
• Lead and oversee the Department of Surgery research portfolio, including basic science, translational, and applied research initiatives.
• Direct the Department of Surgery Core Research Laboratory, including operational oversight, resource allocation, laboratory development, and implementation of best practices.
• Establish and maintain an independent, externally funded research program as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator.
• Identify, pursue, and expand extramural funding opportunities from federal agencies, foundations, industry partners, and other sponsors.
• Mentor junior and mid-career research faculty, fellows, residents, and students in research design, grant development, career progression, and scientific writing.
• Provide scientific consultation and constructive feedback to faculty regarding research concepts, study design, methodology, data interpretation, and dissemination strategies.
• Lead internal review processes for grant applications, proposal packages, scientific presentations, and manuscripts prior to submission.
• Support investigators in troubleshooting scientific, operational, regulatory, and administrative challenges affecting research programs.
• Foster multidisciplinary collaborations across departments, military treatment facilities, federal agencies, academic institutions, and industry partners.
• Promote a culture of research excellence, innovation, integrity, and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Support development of departmental research metrics and evaluate program performance, productivity, and outcomes.
• Oversee research personnel within the Department of Surgery research enterprise, including faculty, research scientists, technical staff, and trainees.
• Represent the Department of Surgery in institutional, governmental, academic, and professional research forums.
• Publish findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and present research at national and international scientific meetings.
• Serve as a thought leader in areas relevant to surgery, trauma, critical care, regenerative medicine, combat casualty care, or other military medicine research priorities.
• Collaborate with departmental leadership to establish long-term research growth strategies and recruit high-performing research faculty.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Department of Surgery mission.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Direct Supervisor: Direct authority to make decisions on the following: employee hiring, disciplinary action, starting salaries and merit increases; conduct employee performance evaluations and directs work activities.

Education and Experience

• PhD in a biomedical, biological, health sciences, engineering, or related scientific field required; OR MD/PhD from an accredited institution with demonstrated accomplishments in biomedical research.
• More than 10 years of experience required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Recognized expertise in surgical, trauma, critical care, regenerative medicine, biomedical, or related translational research.
• Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications in respected scientific journals.
• Strong understanding of research administration, laboratory operations, regulatory compliance, and human and/or animal research oversight.
• Exceptional grant-writing, scientific writing, and scientific communication skills.
• Ability to evaluate research programs and provide expert scientific guidance across diverse disciplines.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, interpersonal, and team-building abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive research teams and foster collaborative research culture.
• Ability to effectively communicate with scientific, clinical, military, and executive leadership audiences.
• Experience working in military medicine, combat casualty care research, operational medicine, or Department of Defense-funded research programs preferred.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain all required government credentials and access permissions as applicable.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a T1 Public Trust background check.

Work Environment

• This position will take place primarily in an office setting.

Compensation

• The annual salary range for this position is $127,000-$180,000. Actual salary will be determined based on experience, education, etc.

Benefits

• HJF offers a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on your health and well-being, from medical, dental, and vision coverage to health savings and retirement plans, and more.

Employment with HJF is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, contacting your professional references, verification of previous employment, education and credentials, a criminal background check, and a department of motor vehicle (DMV) check if applicable. Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.