Associate Director for Cancer Research

The Division of Research (DOR) of Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) seeks a senior researcher to become its Associate Director for Cancer Research. This individual will lead one of DOR’s six scientific sections and will participate in department-wide leadership activities. They will also maintain an independently funded research program and conduct scholarly research that is recognized nationally and internationally. A key part of this leadership role is to foster collaboration with KPNC’s operational leaders and The Permanente Medical Group (TPMG) clinicians on studies that evaluate ways to improve cancer care delivery, including primary prevention, screening and early detection, diagnosis and treatment, surveillance, survivorship, and outcomes, across the spectrum of different cancers in children and adults. The associate director may be appointed at the Associate Professor or Professor-equivalent level.

Investigators in the DOR leverage the extensive, clinically rich data derived from a comprehensive, state-of-the-art electronic health record system and enjoy direct access to a diverse population of ~4.6 million members receiving care within KPNC’s integrated health care delivery system framework involving >20 medical centers and >250 medical offices. The DOR, a regional research entity embedded within KPNC, was founded in 1961 and now has 63 faculty-level research scientists who lead robust programs in cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic conditions, health care delivery and policy, behavioral and mental health, aging, infectious diseases, and women’s and children’s health, among others. DOR investigators are primarily supported by grant and contract funding from federal and other external sources, especially the National Institutes of Health. The scientists in DOR’s Cancer Research section (currently 13 research scientists, 1 staff scientist, and 6 adjunct investigators from TPMG) are nationally and internationally respected for their innovative, high-impact research. In addition, KPNC has a highly successful regional Oncology Clinical Trials Program, including leading KPNC’s Community Site for the National Cancer Institute’s Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) and implementing a large number of federally-sponsored and industry-sponsored protocols.

KPNC and TPMG have a long-standing commitment to high-quality cancer care delivery, and currently embarking on an ambitious expansion of our cancer research portfolio. Thus, the Associate Director for Cancer Research calls for broad expertise related to cancer research, which can include epidemiology, evaluation and delivery of clinical and patient-centered care, outcomes assessment, and clinical trials. In general, DOR associate directors spend approximately 20% of their effort (supported by DOR administrative funds) on leadership activities with their section faculty and for the department, and the remainder of their effort on their own research. Section leadership activities include mentorship, administration, and representing the section at management and senior scientific leadership meetings. The successful candidate is expected to maintain their own externally funded research portfolio including NIH or other federal, foundation or industry funding, collaborate effectively with TPMG physicians and program leaders within KPNC, work with other DOR researchers on content and methodological issues, and develop national and international collaborations to advance research, quality of care and outcomes related to cancer.

Required qualifications include an MD or PhD and research experience equivalent to a DOR Research Scientist II or III (similar to an Associate Professor or Professor in a university-based setting). The ideal candidate will have experience in productively leading and cultivating research programs and in successfully mentoring researchers and clinicians. The candidate should have a well-established track record of investigator-initiated grant funding, peer-reviewed publications, collaboration with clinicians, strong methodologic expertise, and experience working with electronic health records.

DOR is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and strongly encourages women of color and other underrepresented groups to apply.

Please email a letter of interest and curriculum vitae to:
Suzanne Furuya, MPH, MBA
Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research
[email protected]