Ohio State University

Chief Scientific Officer - OSUCCC-James

Medical Center Campus Full time

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Job Title:

Chief Scientific Officer - OSUCCC-James

Department:

Chief Scientific Officer, The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute

The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute is seeking a visionary and accomplished Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) to lead and grow the research enterprise at a top-tier, academic standalone cancer hospital with an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center.

Opportunity Overview
The CSO will be a key member of the cancer program’s executive leadership team, responsible for setting the strategic direction of scientific and clinical research, fostering innovation, and ensuring the continued growth and impact of our research programs. This role is a unique opportunity to shape the future of cancer care and discovery. This role reports to the Chief Executive Officer of the CCC – James, with a dotted reporting line to the Chief Scientific Officer of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Key Responsibilities

  • Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute a comprehensive research strategy that aligns with the cancer program’s mission and goals. This includes identifying emerging trends, new technologies, and areas of scientific inquiry that will advance cancer research and patient care.

  • Research Oversight: Ensure consistency and alignment across all research activities, including basic science, translational research, clinical trials, and population science. Ensure the highest standards of scientific rigor, ethical conduct, and regulatory compliance. Coordination with and support for the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center. The CSO will have an executive level role within the center as a member of the council of scientific leaders.

  • Faculty Recruitment and Development: Work with college Deans and department chairs to recruit, mentor, and retain world-class scientific and clinical faculty. Foster a collaborative and supportive environment that encourages broadly interdisciplinary research and professional growth.

  • Financial Management: Administer and develop new institutional-scale projects, secure extramural funding (e.g., grants from the National Institutes of Health, foundations), and identify new funding opportunities. Partner with the CCC leadership and finance team to oversee the allocation of resources to support high-impact research projects.

  • External Relations: Serve as a key spokesperson for the cancer program’s research programs. Cultivate and maintain relationships with the National Cancer Institute (NCI), academic partners, industry leaders, and philanthropic organizations.

  • Innovation & Translation: Drive the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical applications. Facilitate partnerships with industry and biotech to accelerate the development of new therapies, diagnostics, and technologies.

  • Operational Excellence: Optimize the operational infrastructure of the cancer program’s research enterprise, including core facilities, research administration, and IT systems, to maximize efficiency and support scientific productivity. This will include working closely with cancer program leadership.

  • Enterprise Collaboration: Partner with stakeholders across campus, including the OSUWMC CEO and Chief Scientific Officer, as well as college deans and associate deans for research, to develop research strategy and recruiting top-tier faculty to drive growth, innovation and excellence in cancer research.

  • Community involvement/partnership: Partner with the James CEO to promote community awareness of The James’ activities and accomplishments, and to incorporate input from community members through the community advocacy programs or partnering community foundations. This will include activities involved in advancement and fundraising, identifying opportunities for optimizing community engagement, and fostering community-based relationships related to the science of cancers

Qualifications

  • Education: M.D., Ph.D., or M.D./Ph.D. with a distinguished record of scientific achievement and publications, and eligibility for appointment at the rank of Professor.

  • Experience: A minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in a complex academic or research environment, preferably within an NCI-designated cancer center or a similar institution.

  • Expertise: A deep understanding of the cancer research landscape, including basic, translational, and clinical science.

  • Leadership Skills: Proven ability to lead, inspire, and manage a diverse team of researchers, clinicians, and administrators. Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.

  • NCI Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of the NCI designation process and the requirements for maintaining an NCI comprehensive cancer center designation.

The James
As the cancer program’s adult patient-care component, The James, an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center,  is one of the top cancer hospitals in the nation as ranked by U.S. News & World Report for 27 years. With 21 floors, more than 1.1 million square feet and 358 inpatient beds, The James is the third-largest cancer hospital in the nation – a transformational facility that fosters collaboration and integration of cancer research and clinical care. To learn more, visit cancer.osu.edu.

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center & College of Medicine

The OSUWMC, committed to providing world-class care, is one of the nation’s leading academic health centers, consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the best hospitals for over 30 years, with nine nationally ranked specialties. The College of Medicine, with nearly 5,000 learners and more than 2,600 faculty members, is nationally recognized for curricular innovation and pioneering research. The college comprises twenty clinical departments, eight basic science departments, and the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.

The University

Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world. Positions are available in countless fields and specialties. Become a Buckeye and contribute to an incredible legacy that serves to guide our future and shape a better tomorrow. Grounded in Ohio State University’s Shared Values, our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression.
 

The Ohio State University is committed to enhancing academic excellence. Recruiting, supporting, and retaining faculty of the highest caliber is a core component of this commitment. The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) has established central resources to focus on offering support to new and prospective faculty and their loved ones. Service offerings include dual career partner consultation, potential employer and/or employment opportunity identification, consultation and resources related to relocation, as well as identifying opportunities to engage on campus and in the surrounding community.  While employment opportunities are not guaranteed, resources and consultation are available.  More information about dual career and faculty recruitment can be found here. In addition to being responsive to dual-career opportunities, we strongly promote work-life balance to support our community members through a suite of institutionalized policies. 

Columbus, Ohio

Columbus, the state’s capital, is home to The Ohio State University, a Top 20 public university.  With a population of over 2.2 million, the metropolitan area is one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S., offering an affordable cost of living, diverse cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability. 

Location:

Twelfth Ave, 395 W (0356)

Position Type:

Regular

Shift:

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check.  A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

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The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.

As required by Ohio Revised Code section 3345.0216, Ohio State will: educate students by means of free, open and rigorous intellectual inquiry to seek the truth; equip students with the opportunity to develop intellectual skills to reach their own, informed conclusions; not require, favor, disfavor or prohibit speech or lawful assembly; create a community dedicated to an ethic of civil and free inquiry, which respects the autonomy of each member, supports individual capacities for growth and tolerates differences in opinion; treat all faculty, staff and students as individuals, hold them to equal standards and provide equality of opportunity with regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.