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:

APPLICANTS SHOULD SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS:

Letter of interest highlighting essential qualification and interests
A detailed curriculum vitae
Diversity statement
Teaching statement

Job Description:

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Associate Dean for Research and Innovation will report to the Dean of the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM) and will be responsible for the strategic direction, initiatives, and infrastructure of the institution’s research endeavors.  The Associate Dean for Research and Innovation will assure alignment of such initiatives with the mission, vision, and values of AWSOM.

KEY RESPONSIBILTIES

• Develop 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 research enterprise, as well as lead research and innovation initiatives that align with the mission, vision, and strategic plan.
•    Oversee research administration and compliance.
• Identify, coordinate, and provide faculty development and mentorship to promote faculty success in research and scholarship endeavors, including development of research programs, competitive grant preparation, and dissemination activities.
• Establish an Office of Grants and Contracts 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 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 and support the assistant dean for research education.
• Serve as a member of the Dean’s Cabinet.
• Serve on School of Medicine committees as appropriate for role.
• Other duties as assigned by the Dean.

MINIMUM EDUCATION

• MD or PhD

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Five years of demonstrated excellence in managing institution-wide research initiatives in higher education.
• Successful track record of faculty and staff mentorship in research, scholarship, and dissemination.
• Experience in tailoring faculty development efforts to advance 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 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.

WHAT WE SEEK

We are building a cadre of medical professionals trained in conventional medicine and in Whole Health, by reimagining medical education. We seek leaders and faculty who are excited by this endeavor. We are building a health care learning and delivery environment in which diversity is a strength and highly valued. Thus, we seek candidates who contribute to diversity in all its forms. Ideal candidates are committed to our goals of inclusive excellence, and to facilitating optimal health for all using a whole health approach.

HOW TO APPLY

APPLICANTS SHOULD SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS:

• Letter of interest highlighting essential qualification and interests
• A detailed curriculum vitae
• Diversity statement
• Teaching statement

 All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement, background check and verification of being fully vaccinated for COVID-19. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States on your first day of work.

The Alice L. Walton School of Medicine is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.

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