Professor and Program Chair, Cancer Biology

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) and its Cell Cycle & Cancer Biology (CCCB) Research Program invite applications and nominations for the position of Professor and Program Chair. This is a senior leadership opportunity for an established scientific leader to build and direct a nationally visible cancer biology program at an institution with exceptional strengths in fundamental discovery translational research and interdisciplinary collaboration.

About OMRF
Founded in 1946 OMRF is one of the nations oldest and most respected independent biomedical research institutes. OMRF is a nonprofit independent research institute dedicated to conducting biomedical research that enables more people to live longer healthier lives. With an annual budget of about $100 million more than 50 principal investigators and a strong record of funding from the National Institutes of Health technology transfer and philanthropy OMRF offers a stable and supportive environment for basic and translational research.

OMRFs research strengths include aging immunology autoimmunity cardiovascular biology genetics epigenetics neurodegeneration and cell cycle biology. OMRF is located in the Oklahoma Health Center in Oklahoma City adjacent to the University of Oklahoma Health Campus the Oklahoma City VA and the National Cancer Institute-designated Stephenson Cancer Center.

Opportunity and Vision
OMRF seeks a distinguished scientific leader to serve as Program Chair and to expand its cancer biology enterprise building on the foundation of the existing CCCB Research Program. This program has internationally recognized expertise in chromosome dynamics DNA repair and replication genomic instability transcription epigenetics and cell cycle regulation. The next Program Chair will lead the growth of this program into a broad and comprehensive cancer biology program that:

• Advances fundamental understanding of cancer mechanisms and translates those discoveries toward therapeutic applications
• Builds on existing expertise within CCCB while expanding research approaches and model systems
• Expands funding through the NCI and other federal sources
• Builds collaborations across OMRFs research programs
• Establishes meaningful collaborations with clinicians and investigators at the University of Oklahoma and the Stephenson Cancer Center

This role is intended for a leader with the vision credibility and experience to shape OMRFs cancer research trajectory for the next decade and beyond while maintaining scientific rigor and leveraging the programs foundational strengths in the study of underlying mechanisms of cancer.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a cohesive collaborative and nationally competitive research program in cancer biology at OMRF that spans mechanistic discovery through translation
• Maintain an internationally recognized and well-funded research program
• Recruit mentor and retain senior and junior faculty and trainees
• Lead diversification of funding portfolios including the addition of multi-investigator and center-level grants
• Enhance national visibility and philanthropic engagement

Required Qualifications and Core Competencies

• A PhD MD or MD/PhD in cancer biology or a closely related field
• Demonstrated ability to integrate mechanistic and cancer-focused research evidenced by a distinguished research portfolio and publications
• A robust history of NCI and other funding supporting cancer biology research
• Demonstrated success in scientific leadership such as directing a research program division department or center
• Experience recruiting mentoring and evaluating faculty and trainees

Preferred Qualifications and Strategic Experience

• Experience in mechanistic cancer biology researchsuch as DNA replication and repair genomic instability chromosome dynamics cell cycle regulation transcription or related fundamental processesand demonstrated ability to connect these mechanisms to cancer phenotypes such as tumor initiation progression therapeutic resistance or recurrence
• Building scientific bridges between cancer biology and related disciplines such as aging immune dysregulation inflammation genetics and epigenetics cardiovascular biology or autoimmunity especially with relationship to long-term consequences of cancer treatments
• Expanding research into alternative model systems including organoids in vivo models human tissues or biofluids
• Leading team science initiatives including program projects centers or large collaborative grants
• Advancing intellectual property technology development or early-stage biotechnology efforts
• Nurturing philanthropic relationships that support cancer research

Resources and Institutional Commitment
OMRF will make a significant institutional investment in the successful candidate including:

• A highly competitive start-up package
• Resources to recruit 35 additional faculty members in cancer biology during the startup period
• Access to spacious well-equipped laboratory space with renovations and modernization as needed
• Institutional support for shared scientific equipment and core facility expansion
• Access to OMRFs extensive research infrastructure and technology transfer expertise
• Close partnership with senior OMRF leadership to support long-term program growth and sustainability

About Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is a dynamic and affordable metropolitan area with a growing biomedical and health sciences ecosystem a high quality of life a vibrant cultural scene and easy access to outdoor recreation.

How to Apply
Applicants should submit the following documents:

A cover letter describing their (1) scientific research program (2) leadership experience and (3) plans for expanding and leading a cancer biology program at OMRF
A curriculum vitae including contact information for three references; these individuals will be contacted for shortlisted candidates

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.