New Faculty Opportunity – Center for Childhood Cancer Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital

The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital seeks an outstanding faculty candidate for recruitment at the tenure-track Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor rank with a research program focused on cellular therapy and/or related immunobiology in pediatric disease.

The mission of the Center for Childhood Cancer Research is to revolutionize the treatment of children and young adults with cancer through scientific discovery and translation to the clinic.

The new faculty member will have a MD, PhD or MD/PhD and be expected to be an active participant in advancing this mission by establishing an impactful independent research program focused on translational cellular therapy that is supported by extramural funding, engaging in collaborative basic and translational science and training the next generation of researchers. All research areas focused on cellular therapy and immunobiology in pediatric cancer will be considered, with an emphasis on scientific discovery, cellular and genetic engineering, and efficient manufacturing for rapid translation to the clinic. Candidates must demonstrate success in securing extramural funding as well as a record of high-quality first- or senior-author publications relevant to cell-based therapies. Faculty will have broad opportunities for collaboration across the Research Institute, with consideration for joint appointment such as with the Center for Microbe and Immunity Research or Jerry R. Mendell Center for Gene Therapy.

The successful candidate will benefit from the robust infrastructure of the Cellular Therapy and Cancer Immunology (CTCI) Program, which has grown rapidly since its inception in 2016 with over 50 IND applications, 19 investigator-initiated cell therapy trials, 10 investigational products, and treatment of over 100 patients with cellular therapies. The CTCI program provides extensive support for clinical trial development, IND preparation and submission, and GMP development/manufacturing of clinical-grade therapeutics, including centralized production of investigational products for multi-institutional trials. The CTCI is highly collaborative with the The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (OSUCCC) and Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology.

The Center for Childhood Cancer Research is actively expanding from its current complement of 12 principal investigators. Principal Investigators are appointed as faculty of The Ohio State University College of Medicine and members of OSUCCC. Most faculty maintain appointments within the graduate programs of the University. Researchers have access to colleagues and resources at both NCH and OSU campuses. Our faculty members also have strong ties to clinical colleagues in the Hematology, Oncology, and BMT at NCH. The Division is consistently ranked among the top ten pediatric cancer programs by U.S. News & World Report.

The Abigail Wexner Research Institute is ranked top ten nationally in NIH funding to free-standing children's hospitals. Research programs are organized into 14 multidisciplinary Centers of Emphasis structured to encourage collaboration, facilitate team science and foster creativity with strengths in genomics, gene therapy, pediatric cancer, and the integration of basic science and clinical care.

Nationwide Children’s is consistently ranked among the top 10 children's hospitals, having been named to U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Children's Hospitals Honor Roll” for 11 consecutive years. It is one of the nation's largest not-for-profit pediatric healthcare networks, providing wellness, preventive, diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitative care for infants, children, and adolescents, as well as adults with congenital diseases.

The OSU James Comprehensive Cancer Center is the third-largest cancer hospital in the nation. Over 1,700 cancer researchers operate active laboratory-based and clinical research programs, with collaborations that bridge many programs spanning the OSU and NCH campuses.

Columbus is a thriving, diverse, technologically sophisticated metropolitan city with a population of over 2 million. The quality of life and cost of living in Columbus are outstanding. Recently, Columbus was recognized by Forbes magazine as the #1 rising city for startups.

Inquiries are encouraged. Please send correspondence, including curriculum vitae, a brief statement of research interests (2-3 pages), and contact information for three references to [email protected] in Faculty Recruitment.

Application review to begin on a rolling basis with a final deadline of December 1, 2025.

 

 

Designs experiment and develop protocols required to conduct meaningful research in a specific area of scientific research. Trains and guides technical staff involved in specific projects and performing techniques. Plans future directions and seeks sources of funding for a research group. Records, collects, and analyzes data from research studies, and publishes results in appropriate refereed scientific journals. Presents study results to Research Institute (RI) staff as well as at national scientific conferences. Collaborates with other RI investigators in a manner that will enrich the overall institutional research effort. Prepares for seeking and obtaining external research funding. Serves as a mentor to RI post-doctoral research fellows (Research Scientists).

 

 

Essential Functions:

• Designs experiments and develops protocols necessary to conduct meaningful research in a specific scientific area. Does “hands-on” performance of techniques as needed to complete projects. Ensures that research projects are conducted efficiently, correctly, and in a timely manner.
• Trains subordinate research staff such as technicians, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, etc. so that they can perform techniques required for conducting the studies.
• Records, collects, and analyzes study data to be able to reach valid conclusions. With the results in mind, plans for future research directions and studies.
• When study data has been analyzed statistically, prepares papers and publishes results in appropriate scientific journals. Presents results and conclusions to scientists at the weekly CRI research meetings and at national conferences.
• Collaborates with other RI and OSU investigators to mutually benefit research efforts. Serves as a resource in a particular area of scientific expertise.
• Provides mentorship to graduate students and post-doctoral fellows (Research Scientists) in preparing them to be independent researchers.
• Performs appropriate duties as a member of the faculty of the Ohio State University College of Medicine.
• Prepares scientific proposals to seek external research funding whenever possible.
• Prepares and monitors capital budget for the area of responsibility. Responsible for authorizing expenditures from approved grant funds.
• Recruits, hires, terminates and trains assigned staff. Trains staff for compliance to hospital policies, RI, NIH, NRC, AALAC requirements and OSHA standards and regulations. Also conducts training on animal care and use as appropriate.

Education Requirement:

Ph.D. or MD/Ph.D. or equivalent degree and having completed a post-doctoral fellowship in a pertinent area of scientific expertise.

Licensure Requirement:

(not specified)

Certifications:

(not specified)

Skills:

• Good communication skills, and ability to prepare scientific publications, presentations and proposals.
• Technical skills in an appropriate area of research.
• Ability to teach and train junior scientists.
• Desire to pursue a career in biomedical research, and knowledge of the research process.

Experience:

(not specified)

Physical Requirements:

OCCASIONALLY: (none specified)

FREQUENTLY: (none specified)

CONTINUOUSLY: (none specified)

Additional Physical Requirements performed but not listed above:

Pressure in this position will vary depending on the workload. The workload will be heavy but manageable most of the time. Pressure may arise in the face of deadlines associated with grants, required documentation related to the physician’s OSU faculty appointment, etc.

 

 

"The above list of duties is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this classification. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties performed by the individuals so classified, nor is it intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under their supervision. EOE M/F/Disability/Vet"