Surgical Oncology / Breast Cancer Research, Department of Surgery, SOM (F80620)

The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, is seeking an accomplished and collaborative Teaching & Research (T&R) faculty member with expertise in breast cancer research to join its growing academic research enterprise.

The successful candidate will establish and lead an externally funded, nationally recognized research program focused on clinically relevant questions in breast cancer and surgical oncology. The faculty member will be expected to develop an independent research portfolio, pursue sustained extramural funding, publish impactful peer-reviewed research, and contribute to the education and mentorship of medical students, residents, fellows, graduate students, and research trainees.

This position is intended for a scientist with a strong record of research productivity and demonstrated potential for, or an established record of, extramural funding. The successful candidate will work closely with investigators and clinicians across the Department of Surgery, VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, VCU School of Medicine, and other university and health system partners to advance multidisciplinary breast cancer research.

The faculty member will have opportunities to develop collaborative research programs spanning basic, translational, clinical, and/or population-based research, depending upon their area of expertise.

• Establish, develop, and maintain an independent and externally funded research program focused on breast cancer, surgical oncology, or a closely related field
• Develop innovative research programs addressing clinically meaningful questions in breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, outcomes, prevention, survivorship, tumor biology, treatment resistance, health disparities, or related areas
• Prepare and submit competitive applications for federal, foundation, industry, and other extramural funding, including NIH and other national funding agencies.
• Develop and maintain a sustained portfolio of peer-reviewed publications in high-impact scientific and clinical journals
• Present research findings at national and international scientific and professional meetings
• Develop multidisciplinary collaborations with surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, epidemiologists, bioinformaticians, population scientists, and other investigators
• Participate in the development of collaborative research initiatives within the Department of Surgery and VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Mentor research staff and trainees and contribute to the development of the next generation of breast cancer researchers
• Pursue opportunities for translational research and the implementation of research findings into clinical practice
• Participate in institutional research committees, scientific review activities, and other scholarly service appropriate to academic rank

• Establish collaborative relationships across VCU, VCU Health, Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, and affiliated research institutions
• Contribute to multidisciplinary breast cancer research programs and disease-focused research initiatives
• Collaborate with investigators on interdisciplinary grants, clinical studies, translational research projects, and other scholarly initiatives
• Participate in Department of Surgery research programs, seminars, research-in-progress meetings, and other academic activities
• Support the growth of the Department's research enterprise through development of new research partnerships, funding opportunities, and scholarly programs
• Participate in institutional initiatives designed to expand the impact and visibility of breast cancer and surgical oncology research

• Mentor medical students, residents, fellows, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research personnel
• Participate in graduate and medical education activities consistent with the faculty member's expertise and academic appointment
• Develop or contribute to research training opportunities for learners interested in surgical oncology and breast cancer research
• Provide mentorship in research methodology, scientific writing, grant development, and career development
• Participate in departmental and institutional educational conferences and seminars

While the primary focus of this position is research and scholarship, the faculty member will work closely with the Division of Surgical Oncology and multidisciplinary breast cancer teams to facilitate translation of research findings into clinical practice.

Opportunities may include collaboration with clinical investigators in:

• Breast surgical oncology
• Clinical trials
• Translational research
• Cancer prevention and early detection
• Patient-reported outcomes and survivorship
• Health service research 

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent terminal degree in biomedical sciences, cancer biology, molecular biology, genetics, immunology, biochemistry, or a related field
• Demonstrated research experience in breast cancer, breast disease, cancer biology, or a closely related area
• Evidence of scholarly productivity through peer-reviewed publications, presentations, or other scholarly contributions
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent or collaborative research
• Experience with research methodologies appropriate to the candidate's area of expertise
• Demonstrated ability or potential to teach and mentor medical students, graduate students, residents, fellows, or other trainees
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary academic and research environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Established research program focused on breast cancer or breast disease, including molecular, cellular, translational, clinical, population health, or outcomes research
• Strong record of peer-reviewed publications in breast cancer, oncology, cancer biology, or related fields
• Demonstrated success in obtaining or contributing to extramural research funding, including NIH, foundation, or other competitive funding
• Experience developing and leading investigator-initiated research projects
• Experience with translational research and/or collaboration with clinicians and multidisciplinary research teams
• Expertise in one or more relevant areas, such as:
• Breast cancer biology
• Tumor immunology
• Cancer genomics
• Molecular oncology
• Tumor microenvironment
• Cancer disparities
• Precision oncology
• Cancer prevention or survivorship
• Breast cancer outcomes or health services research
• Biomarker development
• Computational or data-driven cancer research
• Demonstrated record of teaching and curriculum development at the undergraduate, graduate, medical, or postgraduate level