Assistant Dean Translational Research and Commercial Innovation, School of Medicine - F80810

Assistant Dean for Translational Research and Commercial Innovation, School of Medicine

Unit: School of Medicine

Department: Dean’s Office:
Research

Eligibility: Open only to current Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine faculty members

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine is dedicated to improving health through exceptional and innovative discovery, training, and patient care. Central to this mission is a vibrant research ecosystem that advances scientific discoveries from the laboratory and clinical setting into tangible solutions that improve human health. Through innovation, entrepreneurship, strategic partnerships, and technology commercialization, the School of Medicine seeks to accelerate the translation of discoveries into diagnostics, therapeutics, devices, digital health solutions, and other innovations that create societal and economic impact.

The School of Medicine (SOM) seeks an accomplished scientist or clinician-scientist to serve as Assistant Dean for Translational Research and Commercial Innovation. Reporting to the Senior Associate Dean for Research, the Assistant Dean will work closely with SOM leadership, the VCU Office of Research, VCU Tech Transfer and Ventures, the Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research, VCU Health, and external partners across industry, venture capital, entrepreneurship, and economic development sectors.

The Assistant Dean will provide strategic leadership to strengthen the SOM’s translational research and innovation ecosystem, foster a culture of entrepreneurship, and accelerate the movement of discoveries toward commercialization and real-world impact. The individual will serve as a catalyst for collaboration between basic, translational, clinical, and population health researchers and will help faculty identify and pursue pathways for technology development, intellectual property protection, startup formation, licensing, and industry partnerships.

The candidate will have a strong record of scientific accomplishment, innovation, and external engagement, along with a strategic vision for translating research discoveries into products, technologies, clinical applications, or commercial ventures.

The position is funded at 30% effort, with the remaining effort determined by the faculty member’s home department.

• Develop and implement the School of Medicine’s strategic vision for translational research, innovation, and commercialization.
• Lead initiatives that strengthen the translational research pipeline and accelerate the movement of discoveries from bench to bedside and beyond.
• Increase awareness, engagement, and participation in commercialization and entrepreneurial activities across the SOM.
• Identify opportunities to align institutional strengths with emerging scientific, clinical, and market opportunities.
• Represent the School of Medicine in institutional, regional, and national innovation and commercialization initiatives.

• Promote the identification, protection, and development of intellectual property arising from SOM research.
• Support faculty in navigating commercialization pathways, including licensing, startup creation, venture development, and industry-sponsored research.
• Partner with Tech Transfer and Ventures and other institutional stakeholders to enhance commercialization outcomes and innovation metrics.
• Facilitate access to translational funding opportunities, proof-of-concept programs, innovation grants, and entrepreneurial resources.
• Develop strategies to increase invention disclosures, patent activity, licensing agreements, startup formation, and industry engagement.

• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, digital health, and other industry partners.
• Expand collaborations with venture capital groups, accelerators, incubators, foundations, and economic development organizations.
• Partner with VCU Health, the Office of Research and Innovation, and other VCU schools and units to build a connected innovation ecosystem.
• Serve as a liaison between faculty innovators and internal and external stakeholders to advance translational opportunities.

• Mentor faculty, trainees, and research teams in translational science, commercialization, entrepreneurship, and industry engagement.
• Work with SOM Research…