CTSA Director of Scientific Integration

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

CTSA Director of Scientific Integration

Job Profile Title

Director D, Research

Job Description Summary

The Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Director of Scientific Integration provides enterprise‑level scientific operational leadership across the Penn–CHOP CTSA, ensuring the execution and integration of scientific priorities, and a specific emphasis on the execution of cross‑institutional initiatives. In conjunction with and at the direction of the CTSA Executive Committee, the Director leads and implements scientific operational planning and coordination of several Elements contained within the CTSA program, ensuring effective alignment of activities across the University of Pennsylvania, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the NIH NCATS CTSA program.

Job Description

• The Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Director of Scientific Integration provides enterprise‑level scientific operational leadership across the Penn–CHOP CTSA, ensuring the execution and integration of scientific priorities, and a specific emphasis on the execution of cross‑institutional initiatives. In conjunction with and at the direction of the CTSA Executive Committee, the Director leads and implements scientific operational planning and coordination of several Elements contained within the CTSA program, ensuring effective alignment of activities across the University of Pennsylvania, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the NIH NCATS CTSA program.

  The Director partners with faculty, staff, community stakeholders, and external collaborators to advance the CTSA scientific priorities, strengthen translational research capacity, and deliver measurable programmatic outcomes. The Director facilitates communication, decision‑making, and execution of high‑impact initiatives, including consultative studios, data science integration, community-engaged research. The Director will also support existing teams focused on operationalizing workforce development programs and continuous quality improvement efforts.

  This role requires deep expertise in clinical and translational science, supported by advanced scientific training (e.g., master’s, PhD, MD) and/or relevant experience in biopharma, research administration, and organizational leadership. The Director works collaboratively across teams and institutions to drive the Penn–CHOP CTSA scientific vision forward and maintains broad influence across all CTSA components and strategic initiatives.

This position is contingent upon continued funding.

Resume and cover letter required with application

Job Responsibilities:

• Enterprise‑Level Scientific Strategy and Research Leadership: Leads scientific direction across the Penn–CHOP CTSA, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and advancing translational research impact. Builds and sustains strategic partnerships across institutions, communities, and external stakeholders.
  • Provide scientific integration for CTSA investigators, clinical research staff, and the PMBB Clinical Research and Engagement Team, including supporting the development and implementation of consultative studios (e.g., Implementation Studio, Community Engagement Studio) by identifying faculty experts and ensuring alignment with CTSA scientific priorities.
  • Provide scientific advice and guidance to CTSA MPIs, faculty clinicians, and research personnel and support the development of training initiatives and serve as a strategic bridge between the CTSA Executive Committee and programmatic teams to support educational outreach such as work-in-progress meetings, workshops, and seminar series. 
  • Partner with the CTSA Executive Committee to develop and advance the CTSA’s scientific vision, ensuring alignment with institutional objectives and supporting cross‑institutional collaboration frameworks (e.g., data-sharing across Penn-CHOP) and Community Health Needs Assessment CHNA‑aligned community research priorities. 
  • Support the development and implementation of innovative programs such as AI/ML integration, expanding efforts such as Community-Driven Research Day, bioinformatics learning labs, and workshops.
  • Collaborate with the leadership of the PMBB and the CHOP BioBank to support lifespan research across the Penn-CHOP CTSA  
  • Support various CTSA initiatives such as consultative studios, data science initiatives, and AI‑enabled learning platforms.
  • Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.   

COMPETENCIES:

• Able to confidently interact with all levels of management including senior management, physician leaders and others.
• Ability to clearly develop action plans to ensure delivery on company strategy and goals as well as clinical development plans.
• Must be detail oriented and organized.
• Excellent verbal/written communication skills required.
• Must have demonstrated expertise in leading new initiatives and be team player with strong interpersonal skills.
• Prior experience in developing policy or procedural documentation, and or guidance documents is desired.
• Excellent technical writing, review, analytical and problem-solving abilities, and multi-tasking skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively on all levels and to gain support from others. The ability to develop interdepartmental relationships and form solid collaborations is critical. 
• Knowledge of funding policies, NIH, and other grant procedures is desired.
• Strong MS Office skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and 7 to 10 years or Master of Science, Master of Arts, and 5 to 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Masters or PhD preferred.
• Training and experience in clinical research required.
• At least 5 years’ experience in an academic setting with principal responsibilities related to clinical and translational research and or research education preferred.  Prior leadership experience preferred.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hybrid Eligible - This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule with a work week divided between working onsite and working remotely.

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$112,433.00 - $130,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay