Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM) is seeking experienced, motivated, and dedicated leaders and educators to participate in the design and delivery of an innovative four-year medical school curriculum that engages medical students in active and novel learning.

Required Documents to Apply:

The Assistant Dean for Clinical Research reports to the Executive Vice Dean of the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM) and is responsible for the strategic direction, initiatives, and infrastructure of the institution’s clinical research endeavors. The Assistant Dean for Clinical Research ensures alignment of such initiatives with the mission, vision, and values of AWSOM and its clinical affiliates.

Job Description:

Assistant  Dean for Clinical Research

Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM) is seeking experienced, motivated, dedicated and highly innovative individual to join us as Assistant Dean for Clinical Research

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Assistant Dean for Clinical Research reports to the Executive Vice Dean of the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM) and is responsible for the strategic direction, initiatives, and infrastructure of the institution’s clinical research endeavors.  The Assistant Dean for  Clinical Research ensures alignment of such initiatives with the mission, vision, and values of AWSOM and its clinical affiliates.

KEY RESPONSIBILTIES

• Develop clinical research infrastructure for the school to ensure compliance to federal and state requirements including, but not limited to, an Institutional Review Board and associated processes.
•    Provide creative leadership and strategic vision to support and expand the AWSOM clinical research enterprise, as well as lead research and innovation initiatives that align with the mission, vision, and strategic plan of the school and its clinical affiliates.
•    Oversee clinical research administration and compliance.
• Identify, coordinate, and provide faculty development and mentorship to promote faculty success in clinical research and scholarship endeavors, including development of clinical research programs, competitive grant preparation, and dissemination activities.
• Establish a workflow with finance  to provide pre- and post- award support for grants and develop a strong intellectual property policy and technology transfer function.
• Liaise with the Heartland Whole Health Institute, the University of Arkansas Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research (I3R), clinical partners, and other entities to create clinical research and innovation opportunities for interested faculty and staff.
• Ensure accreditation standards are met regarding research and scholarship.
• Be a team builder who cultivates an environment for inquiry, innovation, imagination, and collegiality necessary to foster the development, submission, and securing of competitive grants and awards.
• Proactively network with other academic centers, clinical partners, community leaders, industry, private foundations, and other stakeholders to support the vision of AWSOM.
• Collaborate with the senior leadership team including the Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and the Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs
• Serve on School of Medicine committees as appropriate for role.
• Other duties as assigned by the Dean.

MINIMUM EDUCATION

• MD

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Five years of demonstrated excellence in managing institution-wide clinical research initiatives in academic health center.
• Successful track record of faculty and staff mentorship in research, scholarship, and dissemination.
• Experience in tailoring faculty development efforts to advance clinical research and scholarship productivity.
• Strong evidence of effective leadership in facilitating multi-party collaborations and/or interdisciplinary research and/or programmatic activities.
• Expertise in existing and emerging clinical research designs and methodology.
• Robust, sustained history of funding at the federal and/or major foundation level and publication/dissemination activities.
• Evidence of excellent consultation, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Working knowledge of a spectrum of grant funding mechanisms
• Demonstrated excellence in organizational and project management skills.

PREFERRED WORK EXPERIENCES AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in a medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education
• Recent funding at the federal and/or major foundation level addressing health disparities and equity, disease prevention, or quality improvement and interventions.
• Familiarity with pre- and post-award funding guidelines at the federal level.
• Teaching experience in an institution of higher education.
• History of leadership in national and global research activities.
• Administrative experience in seeking and managing human, technological, space, and other resources to support the development of research and scholarship.
• Familiarity with elements of Whole Health and the unique challenges associated with doing research related to it.

SKILLS EXPECTED OF ALL AWSOM TEAM MEMBERS

• Exemplary written, verbal and other communication skills
• Adaptable and flexible to the needs of the position and the school
• Collaborative Skills: Build and maintain relationships internal and external to the organization
• Creative and Open-Minded: Enjoy exploring and supporting innovation in teaching strategies, topic areas, professional growth opportunities, and more
• Discerning: Ability to recognize and support innovation
• Highly self-directed, and reliable and accountable
• Strong commitment to self-care
• Committed to Diversity and Inclusion
• Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders (e.g., co-workers, students, community members)
• Ability to effectively mentor a diversity of individuals
• Commitment to meet and maintain professional development requirements related to this role

ABOUT US!

Founded in 2021 by philanthropist Alice Walton, the School of Medicine, (formerly named Whole Health School of Medicine and Health Sciences), will offer a four-year, medical degree-granting program that integrates conventional medicine with holistic principles and self-care practices. Taught by leading medical practitioners and scientific minds, the first-of-its-kind medical school will help students rise to the health challenges of the 21st century with a focus on mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health and will include an attached clinic for clinical training in these concepts. The AWSOM seeks to be a national medical school with the goal of welcoming its inaugural class in 2025, pending programmatic and institutional accreditation. The School of Medicine received Candidate status with the Liaison Committee Medical Education in July 2023.

Construction of the 154,000 square-foot building is underway, with the goal of completing and welcoming the first class in Fall 2025, pending accreditation. The School of Medicine will be located east of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, and connected through the trails to its sister organization, Whole Health Institute.

Faculty and staff members will contribute to the development and rollout of the ARCHES curriculum, which is built on evidence-based approaches to teaching and learning. It includes the following six core elements:

• Art of Healing

• Research, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation

• Clinical Care

• Health Systems Sciences

• Embracing Whole Health

 • Science of Medicine

All six areas of the curriculum will be interwoven throughout the four-year curriculum.