Vice Chair of Neurosurgery Research - McGovern Medical School

Vice Chair for Neurosurgery Research

Associate Professor or Professor
Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery

The Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery at McGovern Medical School, UTHealth Houston, invites applications for an internationally recognized scientist and academic leader to serve as Vice Chair for Research. This executive leadership position offers an exceptional opportunity to shape and expand one of the nation's premier academic neurosurgery research programs. Working closely with the Department Chair and institutional leadership, the Vice Chair will provide strategic leadership for the department's research enterprise across basic, translational, clinical, and computational neuroscience. The successful candidate will lead efforts to recruit outstanding investigators, expand extramural funding, and strengthen multidisciplinary collaborations across the institution and the Texas Medical Center.

The department is consistently ranked among the nation's leading neurosurgery programs for NIH funding and is currently ranked #7 nationally by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. It supports approximately $16 million in annual extramural research funding and offers an outstanding research infrastructure, including dedicated laboratory space, established biorepositories, comprehensive clinical research support, and extensive collaborative partnerships throughout the Texas Medical Center.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the department's strategic research vision.
• Recruit, mentor, and retain high-performing research faculty and physician-scientists.
• Expand NIH, federal, state, foundation, and industry-funded research.
• Foster multidisciplinary collaborations across UTHealth Houston, the Texas Medical Center, and national partners.
• Build innovative translational research programs that leverage the department's high-volume clinical enterprise.
• Enhance research infrastructure, mentorship, and scientific visibility.

Qualifications

Required

• PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree.
• Academic qualifications for appointment as Associate Professor (Senior) or Professor.
• Established record of sustained NIH or equivalent federal funding.
• International reputation for scientific achievement and scholarly productivity.
• Demonstrated leadership in research program development and faculty mentorship.

Preferred

• Experience leading a research center, institute, or multidisciplinary program.
• Success developing large collaborative or center-level grants.
• Expertise in translational neuroscience or neurosurgical research.

Why UTHealth Houston?

Located in the world's largest medical center, UTHealth Houston offers unparalleled opportunities for scientific collaboration, innovation, and clinical translation. The Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery combines nationally recognized clinical excellence with a rapidly expanding research enterprise, creating an exceptional environment for transformative neuroscience discovery.

Application Materials

Applicants should submit:

• Curriculum vitae
• Research vision and leadership statement
• Summary of current and prior extramural funding
• Description of anticipated research program needs
• Contact information for three professional references

Applications will be reviewed immediately and continue until the position is filled. Only applications received through UTHealth Houston Careers will be considered