Director of the Program in Biomedical Ethics at UT Southwestern Medical Center
Inquiries, with a CV and short letter of interest, should be directed to Eric D. Peterson, MD MPH, Vice Provost & Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Research, at Eric Peterson Eric.Peterson@UTSouthwestern.edu
SUMMARY
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is seeking highly qualified applicants interested in leading the school’s Program in Biomedical Ethics, a collaborative home for the institution’s ethics research and education activities.
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is among the top tier medical institutions in the U.S. for its academic excellence, superior medical care, and innovative research. At UT Southwestern, we are committed to attracting a talented workforce to support our common mission of transforming lives through teaching, research, and service.
CORE JOB FUNCTIONS
The successful candidate should have evidence of leadership experience and national recognition as a scholar and researcher in bioethics, ideally with a record of funded research and publication in bioethics and with experience in medical or graduate education. The ideal candidate will have expertise in biomedical ethics and familiarity with the work of the academic medical center, including clinical, research and public health dimensions. Areas of particular interest may include the development and use of artificial intelligence in education, research, and healthcare delivery; first-in-human clinical studies; ethical challenges of brain research and clinical care; psychiatric ethics; ethical challenges in cancer and pediatric research and care; and the ethical, legal, and social implications of genomic medicine.
The new Director will develop a strategic plan for the Program that includes recruiting and retaining top talent, and growing research and educational initiatives in ethics. Key to this leader’s success will be their ability to quickly understand the institution’s environment and identify synergies with other academic leaders necessary to maintain and grow the Program’s impact across the medical school and beyond. The candidate must also be a strong strategic thinker, capable of charting the course for the Program, recruiting and mentoring faculty and operationally lead institution-wide initiatives.
The Director of the Program in Biomedical Ethics will plan, direct, and provide administration and leadership for research and educational programs and activities in biomedical ethics at UT Southwestern. Reporting to Provost leadership of UT Southwestern, the Program Director will be responsible for developing and growing ethical academic faculty and resources.
Responsibilities
1. Further expand, enrich, and diversify research activities in biomedical ethics.
2. Develop and implement high quality educational programs in biomedical ethics.
3. Work collaboratively with Department Chairs on recruitment and specific education and research needs and to recruit future faculty with ethical interests.
4. Work collaborating with health system clinical ethics consult service.
5. Provide ethical insight and guidance regarding system policies and procedures.
6. Support identification and expansion of ethics faculty.
7. Represent UT Southwestern in local, regional, national, and international meetings and deliberations regarding ethical issues in health care and biomedical research.
CORE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: M.D., Ph.D., J.D., or equivalent terminal degree. Graduate and postdoctoral training in biomedical ethics is preferred.
Experience: Five or more years’ experience in biomedical ethics, preferably in an academic medical center or health care delivery system with a track record of research, teaching, and the application of ethics to patient care. Demonstrated expertise in biomedical ethics, clinical ethics, health law, or related discipline and a record commensurate with appointment at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor, including:
1. Experience directing or building an ethics program, center, or comparable academic initiative.
2. Established record of funded research in biomedical ethics with demonstrated potential to secure external funding.
3. Experience working in interdisciplinary environments, especially within academic medical centers or health systems.
4. Familiarity with regulatory and compliance frameworks, including IRB oversight, human subjects protections, or research ethics policy.
5. Strong mentorship skills, particularly in supporting junior faculty, trainees, and ethics fellows.
Special Skills: Outstanding interpersonal, organizational, oral and written communication, and leadership skills. Ability to motivate and manage employees, colleagues, volunteers, and consultants. Ability to be an effective team member.
Accountability: Demonstrated ability in multidisciplinary collaboration and capacity to initiate, prioritize, and manage multiple projects, working across multiple departments.
Inquiries, with a CV and short letter of interest, should be directed to Eric D. Peterson, MD MPH, Vice Provost & Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Research, at Eric Peterson Eric.Peterson@UTSouthwestern.edu