Director of the Infectious Disease Supercluster
and Infectious Disease Research Center
Colorado State University is recruiting for a high-profile leadership position in its innovative and multifaceted infectious disease research program. The Director of the Infectious Disease Supercluster (IDSC) and Infectious Disease Research Center (IDRC) at Colorado State University (CSU) reports to the Vice President for Research and Engagement (VPRE) and is responsible for the scientific leadership of the IDSC and the operation and management of the IDRC.
The IDSC is an interdisciplinary alliance at CSU focused upon the global challenge of infectious diseases, built upon the nationally and internationally recognized research expertise and resources in infectious diseases at CSU. The IDSC reaches across the campus and beyond to partner with industry, foundations, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies to address the challenges of infectious diseases. The overall mission of the IDSC is to enhance and build academic capacity, increase and diversify the extramural funding base, and promote product and policy development in infectious diseases. MicroRx, a division of CSU Ventures, Inc., is the enterprise arm of the IDSC and is devoted to product and economic development and serves as the portal through which industrial and other potential partners can access the infectious disease research facilities, programs and scientists at CSU. CSU Ventures, Inc. is a not-for-profit division of CSU Research Foundation, created to enable the Supercluster model, a CSU innovation to accelerate the application of research discoveries to address global challenges of our time.
The Director will have strategic responsibility for the IDSC and will coordinate all aspects of the program coherence, development and enhancement of the academic portion of the IDSC. The Director will work with the Cluster Leaders (CLs) of the respective infectious disease clusters to provide academic, teaching, research, and service leadership for the IDSC, will manage the IDSC budget; will prepare, issue, and supervise the review of research and capacity building grant proposals and will promote overall program coherence and enhancement. He/she will prepare annual and interim reports for the Internal Advisory Committees and the VPRE, and will interface regularly with the IAC CLs to establish and review IDSC direction, emphases, and productivity. He/she will establish and maintain lines of communication with and be the primary contact for the IDSC for CSU administration, including Department Heads, Deans, faculty, other stakeholders, the public, and the press. He/she will organize and supervise the annual meeting/retreat of the IDSC, oversee the development of IDSC courses, and will work with the CLs to organize symposia and workshops.
The Director will also serve as the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of MicroRx, the enterprise arm of the IDSC, and will work with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of MicroRx through CSU Ventures, Inc., to provide solutions for global health needs through strategic partnering with industry, investors, government agencies, non-profit organizations and the public to rapidly develop products emerging from Colorado State University’s world-class infectious disease research, consistent with the CSU Strategic Plan.
The IDRC comprises more than 100,000 sq ft of infectious disease research space on 20 acres on the Foothill Campus at CSU. This unique complex contains extraordinary capacity for BSL-3 containment research and translational research, including cGMP and GLP capacity to support proof-of-concept studies for development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.
The Director will oversee IDRC programs ranging from researchers/scholars, Federal and nonfederal research sponsors, regulators, to specialized support services. This person will establish and maintain lines of communication with and will be the primary contact for both the Supercluster and the IDRC. The Director will prepare, administer, and monitor large, complex budgets; coordinate financial and program management under the auspices of the VPRE; assign space and oversee inventory; manage, hire, train and motivate up to 12 staff members through daily observation, hands-on interactions, and input; interact successfully and professionally with all members of the University community and with external sponsors, contractors, press, state and federal representatives and the public; and respond rapidly and effectively to the needs of constituents. The Director will also oversee the construction of a new, 50,000 square foot Research Innovation Center (RIC) which is expected to open in late 2010. The RIC will effectively double the research space available in the IDRC.
The Director chairs the advisory committee for the IDRC, composed of key stakeholders including the Principal Investigator of the Rocky Mountain Regional Center of Excellence; representatives of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology; and the Director of Laboratory Animal Resources.
The Director is charged with managing the facility as a national asset for the conduct of regional, national, and international research collaborations including the potential requirement to dedicate the facility to meet emergency national security needs. The Director will demonstrate core institutional values by assuring the responsible conduct of research throughout the performance of his/her duties and the operation and management of specialized research facilities. The Director is ultimately responsible for the training, safety, and security of the facility.
This is a full-time, 12 month administrative professional position. A joint tenure track position at the appropriate academic rank may be associated with this position. The Director will be appointed for a two year term, and will be reviewed annually by the VPRE. Reappointment is expected upon a satisfactory review of performance.
Qualifications: A scientist with a Ph.D., DVM, and/or MD or equivalent degree and relevant experience in managing and coordinating BSL-3 biocontainment facilities, budgets and complex programs across multiple units or organizations is required. Successful candidates will have a strong record of experience with infectious diseases, biosafety, and biosecurity. An M.D. with a public health background may be considered.
Application: Applications and nominations will be considered until the position is filled; however, to ensure full consideration, applications should be submitted by February 16, 2009. Applicants should send electronically their application materials to Ralph Smith. Materials should include a letter expressing their interest and qualifications for the position, a separate document outlining their vision for the programs. They should also include their curriculum vitae, and the names, mailing addresses, and e-mail addresses of at least three references. Applicants are encouraged to visit the following web sites for more information: (
http://www.idrc.colostate.edu)
Dr. Ralph E. Smith
Chair, IDSC/IDRC Search Committee
Infectious Disease Research Center
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-2925
970-491-8382
Ralph.Smith@Colostate.edu
Colorado State University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment. Background checks may include, but are not limited to, criminal history, national sex offender search and motor vehicle history.
Colorado State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding affirmative action requirements in all programs. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services. In order to assist Colorado State University in meeting its affirmative action responsibilities, ethnic minorities, women and other protected class members are encouraged to apply and to so identify themselves.