Physician-Scientist and Medical Director, OMRF Center for Healthy Aging

Director of the Center for Healthy Aging

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) invites applications and nominations for the position of Director of the Center for Healthy Aging (CHA). This is an opportunity for a physician-scientist to build and direct a nationally visible center focused on preventative medicine and healthy aging. This new center will bridge an existing strength in the basic biology of aging with new and existing clinical infrastructure.

This opportunity is ideal for physician-scientists interested in advancing geroscience as an approach to mitigate chronic disease.

Founded in 1946, OMRF is one of the nation's oldest and most respected independent biomedical research institutes. OMRF is a nonprofit, independent research institute dedicated to conducting biomedical research that enables more people to live longer, healthier lives. With an annual budget of more than $100 million, more than 50 principal investigators, and a strong record of NIH funding, technology transfer, and philanthropy, OMRF offers a stable and supportive environment for basic, translational, and clinical research.

OMRF's research strengths include aging, immunology, autoimmunity, cardiovascular biology, genetics, epigenetics, neurodegeneration, and cell cycle biology. OMRF is located in the Oklahoma Health Center in Oklahoma City, adjacent to the University of Oklahoma Health Campus, and the VA Oklahoma City Healthcare System.

OMRF seeks a candidate that is committed to running an independent clinical research program while serving as the founding medical director for a new Center for Healthy Aging. The ideal candidate is a physician-scientist who can make an immediate impact in our Aging and Metabolism Research Program while having the skills to lead a successful clinical research program, successfully mentor, collaborate with other geroscience researchers, and the ability to develop innovative scientific and community partnerships that advance healthy aging and age-induced disease research.

It is expected that the candidate will work with current leadership in the Aging & Metabolism and Arthritis & Clinical Immunology Programs to build a center that supports aging- and geroscience-focused research, builds resources for clinical research in aging, and interacts with the community to promote disease prevention and healthy aging. The candidate will be able to leverage the significant strengths in aging that exists at OMRF as well as our neighboring institutions.

This role is intended for a leader with the vision, credibility, and experience to shape OMRF's efforts to bridge the basic biology of aging to interventions that slow aging and extend healthspan. The position is ideally suited for those interested in being at the forefront of exciting new therapeutic opportunities in geroscience with significant physical infrastructure and support in place to make it a reality.

• Provide medical oversight for a new Center for Healthy Aging and grow it into a nationally recognized program
• Maintain an internationally recognized and well-funded research program
• Recruit, mentor, and retain support staff
• Lead diversification of funding portfolios that help sustain center activities
• Create, enroll and characterize the Oklahoma Cohort for Healthy Aging
• Engage with the community to grow Center activities, subject databases, and dissemination of efforts to improve healthspan
• Enhance national visibility and philanthropic engagement

• MD, DO or MD/PhD
• Expertise in aging/geroscience research as evidenced by previous funding and publications
• Demonstrated success or potential for scientific leadership
• Experience recruiting, mentoring, and evaluating research staff and trainees
• National prominence as evidenced by service to important societies, collaborative efforts, and the NIH

• Experience with biomarker studies, longitudinal cohort studies, lifestyle or drug interventions, or precision medicine approaches to aging
• Track record of translating research findings into clinical practice
• Leading team science initiatives, including…