Job Details

Director, Research & Science

Position Number: 7312562
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Position Type: Science - Other Science

Director, Research & Science

Job Summary

The Position:
The University of Utah is seeking a nationally recognized cannabis researcher to serve as the Director of the Center for Medical Cannabis Research (CMCR). The Director will organize, implement, and oversee scientific and administrative aspects of the CMCR, in partnership with the Health Research Office (HRO), as well as CMCR's senior manager, the steering committee, the external advisory board, and key collaborators.
The Director will develop and implement a wide range of strategic, proactive, and capacity-building activities that enable and enhance cannabis-related research, and coalesce researchers across the state to inform health care providers, lawmakers, and the general public about evidence-based practices for medical cannabis.
The Director will lead the strategic planning and execution of the CMCR. In addition, this role will serve as a liaison for CMCR engagement and interactions with the Office of the President's government relations staff and Utah State legislative bodies. The ideal candidate will lead committees focused on 1) assessing the impact of advancements within the field, 2) communicating evidence-based research and outcomes to the legislature and public, 3) participating in appropriations request development and testimony, and 4) ensuring alignment and strategic implementation of H.B. 230 directives.

Responsibilities

Engage and seek feedback from key stakeholders and oversee committee/board activities and involvement.
Work with the CMCR staff to organize evidence-based literature reviews and develop plans for dissemination to researchers, providers, policymakers, and the public.
Lead research committee in developing medical cannabis best practices and guidelines for implementation in the medical cannabis program.
Serve as an institutional representative to the University, community, external visitors, and lawmakers, and provide information and analysis to support formal partnerships with external entities.
Identify federal and philanthropic opportunities for funding, develop and successfully acquire grants, and lead faculty researchers to develop research/clinical/community teams interested in responding to funding opportunities.
Oversee the development and execution of the annual seed grant program to catalyze innovative cannabis research concepts.
Work with the senior manager to develop community engagement events (i.e., annual symposium, workshops, seminars, etc.) while maintaining oversight of related budgetary requirements.
Create networking and collaborative research opportunities with external partners and national cannabis research centers.
Complete annual evaluations and reporting activities to the HRO and Utah State Legislative bodies and oversight committees.
Develop faculty and training mentorship opportunities.
Foster a collaborative and translational approach to research, creating a culture of fairness and belonging in H.B. 230.

Minimum Qualifications
Qualifications:

A PhD, MD, or another clinical doctorate in a related field (a diverse array of disciplines will be considered).
Credentials and experience suitable for a tenure track appointment as Associate or Full Professor in areas such as: The School of Medicine, which includes Internal Medicine (Epidemiology), Anesthesiology, Population Health Sciences, Family & Preventive Medicine, or Obstetrics/Gynecology; the College of Pharmacy; or the College of Nursing. All backgrounds are welcome to apply.
An outstanding record of productive funded research in a breadth of cannabis related research, which may include any of the following areas, but is not limited to:
- Investigation of the whole or parts of the cannabis sativa plant, cannabis extracts or enriched extracts, cannabinoid compounds extracted and derived from cannabis extracts, non-cannabinoid constituents of cannabis, synthetic cannabinoids, and the components of the endocannabinoid system (the signaling pathways in the body activated by cannabinoids).
- Clinical, public health, and medical cannabis program related.
- Development of innovative approaches to addressing medical cannabis' therapeutic risks and/or benefits.
- Exploration of the analgesic properties of cannabinoids and their constituents.
- Contraindications, drug-drug interactions, adverse effects, and risk of cannabis use disorder.
- The potential health effects of various cannabis delivery methods, including vaporizing, ingesting, topical application, and combustion.
- Novel cultivation, synthesis, and production techniques or frameworks to support research, regulation, and standardization.
- Social, healthcare systems, policy, and economic aspects related to medical cannabis access, use, and regulations.

Preferences
The Director of CMCR Should Also Possess:

Strong communication skills.
Strong leadership capabilities with an interest in creating multidisciplined teams, including cannabis researchers across Utah's academic institutions.
Experience in setting strategic direction/vision, implementation, and execution.
A history of successful extramural grant funding (ideally displaying consistency in receiving NIH grant funding, including collaborative grants).
An ability to engage with and lead, implement, and oversee legislative directives as described.
An ability to maintain organizational goals and budgetary oversight.
The ability to strategically utilize the outstanding research services accessible to the director (e.g., Utah Population Database, Clinical & Translational Science Institute, etc.), access clinical data from the Medical Cannabis Outcomes Research Evaluation (MCORE) team, and leverage resources from the Center for Human Toxicology (CHT).

The ideal candidate would have experience supporting the development of a successful research center or a collaborative cannabis research program.

Special Instructions

Requisition Number: PRN45599B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary:
Department: 01491 - Assoc. VP Research Integrity
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: Commensurate with Experience
Close Date: 9/30/2026
Open Until Filled:

To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/205152