Surgical Oncology / Breast Cancer Research, Department of Surgery, SOM

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School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in
the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’s
sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally
recognized for patient care and education. Virginia Commonwealth
University is an equal opportunity employer.

Unit: School Of Medicine MBU

Department: Surgery

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Department of Surgery,
Division of Surgical Oncology, is seeking an accomplished and
collaborative Teaching & Research (T&R) faculty member with
expertise in breast cancer research to join its growing academic
research enterprise.

The successful candidate will establish and lead an externally
funded, nationally recognized research program focused on
clinically relevant questions in breast cancer and surgical
oncology. The faculty member will be expected to develop an
independent research portfolio, pursue sustained extramural
funding, publish impactful peer-reviewed research, and contribute
to the education and mentorship of medical students, residents,
fellows, graduate students, and research trainees.

This position is intended for a scientist with a strong record of
research productivity and demonstrated potential for, or an
established record of, extramural funding. The successful candidate
will work closely with investigators and clinicians across the
Department of Surgery, VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, VCU
School of Medicine, and other university and health system partners
to advance multidisciplinary breast cancer research.

The faculty member will have opportunities to develop collaborative
research programs spanning basic, translational, clinical, and/or
population-based research, depending upon their area of
expertise.

Research and Scholarly Activity

• Establish, develop, and maintain an independent and externally

funded research program focused on breast cancer, surgical
oncology, or a closely related field

• Develop innovative research programs addressing clinically

meaningful questions in breast cancer diagnosis, treatment,
outcomes, prevention, survivorship, tumor biology, treatment
resistance, health disparities, or related areas

• Prepare and submit competitive applications for federal,

foundation, industry, and other extramural funding, including NIH
and other national funding agencies.

• Develop and maintain a sustained portfolio of peer-reviewed

publications in high-impact scientific and clinical journals

• Present research findings at national and international

scientific and professional meetings

• Develop multidisciplinary collaborations with surgeons, medical

and radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists,
epidemiologists, bioinformaticians, population scientists, and
other investigators

• Participate in the development of collaborative research

initiatives within the Department of Surgery and VCU Massey
Comprehensive Cancer Center

• Mentor research staff and trainees and contribute to the

development of the next generation of breast cancer
researchers

• Pursue opportunities for translational research and the

implementation of research findings into clinical practice

• Participate in institutional research committees, scientific

review activities, and other scholarly service appropriate to
academic rank

Collaboration and Institutional Engagement

• Establish collaborative relationships across VCU, VCU Health,

Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, and affiliated research
institutions

• Contribute to multidisciplinary breast cancer research programs

and disease-focused research initiatives

• Collaborate with investigators on interdisciplinary grants,

clinical studies, translational research projects, and other
scholarly initiatives

• Participate in Department of Surgery research programs,

seminars, research-in-progress meetings, and other academic
activities

• Support the growth of the Department's research enterprise

through development of new research partnerships, funding
opportunities, and scholarly programs

• Participate in institutional initiatives designed to expand the

impact and visibility of breast cancer and surgical oncology
research

Education and Mentorship

• Mentor medical students, residents, fellows, graduate students,

postdoctoral fellows, and research personnel

• Participate in graduate and medical education activities

consistent with the faculty member's expertise and academic
appointment

• Develop or contribute to research training opportunities for

learners interested in surgical oncology and breast cancer
research

• Provide mentorship in research methodology, scientific writing,

grant development, and career development

• Participate in departmental and institutional educational

conferences and seminars

Clinical Collaboration

While the primary focus of this position is research and
scholarship, the faculty member will work closely with the Division
of Surgical Oncology and multidisciplinary breast cancer teams to
facilitate translation of research findings into clinical
practice.

Opportunities may include collaboration with clinical investigators
in:

• Breast surgical oncology
• Clinical trials
• Translational research
• Cancer prevention and early detection
• Patient-reported outcomes and survivorship
• Health service research

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent terminal degree in biomedical sciences,

cancer biology, molecular biology, genetics, immunology,
biochemistry, or a related field

• Demonstrated research experience in breast cancer, breast

disease, cancer biology, or a closely related area

• Evidence of scholarly productivity through peer-reviewed

publications, presentations, or other scholarly contributions

• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent or collaborative

research

• Experience with research methodologies appropriate to the

candidate's area of expertise

• Demonstrated ability or potential to teach and mentor medical

students, graduate students, residents, fellows, or other
trainees

• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary academic and

research environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Established research program focused on breast cancer or breast

disease, including molecular, cellular, translational, clinical,
population health, or outcomes research

• Strong record of peer-reviewed publications in breast cancer,

oncology, cancer biology, or related fields

• Demonstrated success in obtaining or contributing to extramural

research funding, including NIH, foundation, or other competitive
funding

• Experience developing and leading investigator-initiated

research projects

• Experience with translational research and/or collaboration

with clinicians and multidisciplinary research teams

• Expertise in one or more relevant areas, such as:
• Breast cancer biology
• Tumor immunology
• Cancer genomics
• Molecular oncology
• Tumor microenvironment
• Cancer disparities
• Precision oncology
• Cancer prevention or survivorship
• Breast cancer outcomes or health services research
• Biomarker development
• Computational or data-driven cancer research
• Demonstrated record of teaching and curriculum development at

the undergraduate, graduate, medical, or postgraduate level

Salary Range: $101,000 - $115,000

Benefits : All VCU employee types are eligible for a wide
array of benefits to support you during your employment at VCU.
Consult the benefits website
for information on benefits eligibility according to employee
type.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Restricted: Yes

ORP Eligible: Yes

Rank: Open

Tenure: Open

Months: 12 months

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Mary Waite

Contact Email: Mary.Waite@vcuhealth.org