Description

Research Associate Professor – Implementation Science

The Division of Health Systems Innovation & Research in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the University of Utah invites applications for a Research Associate Professor with a focus on Implementation Science.

The successful candidate will join a growing, highly collaborative division with a substantial portfolio of federally funded research. This position is well suited for a self-motivated mid-career investigator seeking to build an independent research trajectory while contributing to team-based, applied implementation science. The Research Associate Professor will engage in funded research projects and have opportunities to contribute to grant development and peer-reviewed publications, with authorship and investigator roles commensurate with effort and responsibilities. Importantly, the Research Associate Professor will contribute to the consultation activities of the Utah CTSI’s Dissemination and Implementation Science Core. As such, interest and prior experience supporting other’s projects in implementation science is required. The Research Associate Professor will also be encouraged to seek independent external funding for their program of research and have opportunities to mentor/co-mentor early career scientists and trainees and otherwise contribute to the educational and training mission of the School of Medicine and the department. 

The faculty member will collaborate closely with investigators across the Division, Department, and University of Utah Health system, working alongside clinicians, methodologists, and operational partners to design, conduct, and evaluate implementation-focused research aimed at improving health care delivery and population health outcomes. 

Role Responsibilities

• Developing and maintaining high-quality, productive research projects in implementation science with a mix of independent and collaborative funding
• Contributing to applications for extramural funding as Principal Investigator, Multiple Principal Investigator, co-investigator, or collaborator
• Participating in collaborative, team-based research across the Department, University of Utah Health, and external institutions
• Submitting research findings for publication in peer-reviewed journals as both lead and contributing author
• Presenting research findings at scientific meetings and professional forums
• Providing dissemination and implementation science methodological consultation through the Dissemination & Implementation Science Core (DISC), aligned with expertise and effort
• Supervising and mentoring research staff (e.g., research assistants, analysts, postdoctoral fellows, or graduate trainees) as needed to support research activities
• Identifying and addressing research-related challenges using professional judgment, experience, and methodological expertise
• Communicating effectively with collaborators and stakeholders at professional, technical, and administrative levels

Qualifications

Applicants must hold a PhD, MD, or MD/PhD (or equivalent) in population health, health services research, implementation science, or a closely related field by the time of appointment and must meet the Department’s criteria for appointment at the rank of Research Associate Professor.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Training and experience in implementation science and implementation-focused research projects
• A record of peer-reviewed publications in implementation science consistent with rank
• Evidence of scholarly productivity and potential to secure extramural research funding
• Ability to work effectively in a team science environment
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary investigators, including clinicians/physician-scientists, methodologists, and operational partners
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Experience in forming and maintaining community and implementation partners in the context of implementation research

Experience working within health care delivery systems, learning health systems, or community-engaged research settings is highly desirable as is demonstrating a breadth of interest and experience in several delivery systems. We are also interested in a candidate with complementary methodologic skills to the current DISC faculty. These areas include but are not limited to organizational behavior, working with state and county governmental implementation partners, understanding implementation strategy mechanisms, policy-related implementation research, methods development and advancement, and professional background/research foci. Current DISC faculty can be found online. 

Top applicants will be invited for a zoom and in-person interview to discuss their research vision and plans, as well as potential future efforts for strengthening academic culture and research community at the University of Utah.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit the following materials:

1. Curriculum vitae
2. Letter of interest describing professional experience and scientific accomplishments
3. Three-page research statement outlining current and future research directions in implementation science
4. Three professional references with no affiliation to the University of Utah or its affiliates

To apply online, please visit: https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/196662 

For questions regarding this position, please contact Dr. J.D. Smith at jd.smith@hsc.utah.edu. 

Work Environment

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a high-caliber, multidisciplinary research community focused on improving health care delivery and population health through rigorous, applied science. The Department of Population Health Sciences reported $29.6M in research expenditures in the most recent fiscal year and serves as a hub for methodological innovation and collaborative research. Learn more about the work environment online.  

The University of Utah Health system provides a unique environment for implementation science as the only academic health sciences center within a 500-mile radius, enabling close collaboration with clinical partners, health system leaders, and operational stakeholders. The institution is nationally recognized for its strengths in informatics, data infrastructure, and health information technology innovation.

The University and Department are deeply committed to supporting faculty and staff in leading balanced and fulfilling professional lives and to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment where all members of the community have equitable opportunities to succeed.