Position Details
Title Assistant/Associate/Professor of Psychiatry Specific Title Director of Research, Walther Center for Supportive Oncology (Open Rank; Endowed Chair Opportunity) Appointment Type Open Department IUSM - Psychiatry Campus IU School of Medicine Indianapolis Position Summary
Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) and the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center (IUSCCC) invite applications for a nationally recognized investigator to serve as Director of Research for the Walther Center for Supportive Oncology. This open-rank faculty position offers an exceptional opportunity to shape a growing, endowed, interdisciplinary research program at Indiana’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center.
The Director of Research will help define the next generation of supportive oncology science – research that improves the cancer experience for patients and families from diagnosis through treatment, survivorship, serious illness, and end-of-life care. The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative environment with substantial institutional commitment, endowed-chair support, access to a broad clinical enterprise, and opportunities to integrate research, clinical care, education, and community engagement.
· Endowed platform: The position is supported by one of five Walther-endowed chairs established to recruit academic leaders in supportive oncology.
· Program-building scope: The Director will have a visible leadership role in expanding, integrating, and sustaining supportive oncology research across the cancer center, IUSM, IU Health, and community partners.
· Integrated research and care environment: The Walther Center encompasses both research and clinical care, creating opportunities to embed discovery into real-world oncology practice.
· Flexible academic home: The primary department and faculty rank will be aligned with the candidate’s expertise, credentials, and scholarly discipline.
· Clinical flexibility: Opportunities for limited clinical practice may be available for appropriately trained candidates and tailored to expertise and interests.
· Statewide and national impact: IUSM, IUSCCC, IU Health, and community partners offer opportunities for team science, implementation, dissemination, and health equity-focused research across a wide variety of populations.
We welcome investigators whose work advances supportive oncology across the cancer continuum and across the lifespan including children, adolescents/young adults, and adults. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
· Psycho-oncology, psychosocial and behavioral oncology, cancer-related distress, resilience, and mental health
· Palliative care, symptom science, patient-reported outcomes, communication, decision-making, and serious illness care
· Survivorship, cancer and aging, caregiver and family outcomes, sexual health, and quality of life
· Integrative oncology, rehabilitation, physical activity, exercise and lifestyle interventions, nutrition, music therapy, and mind-body interventions
· Implementation science, dissemination, health services research, digital health, health equity, rural health, and community-engaged research
· Set and advance a strategic research vision for the Walther Center for Supportive Oncology in partnership with center and cancer center leadership.
· Build collaborative, cross-disciplinary research programs that leverage the strengths of IUSM, IUSCCC, IU Health, and affiliated clinical and community partners.
· Grow a high-impact portfolio of peer-reviewed extramural funding, publications, clinical and translational research, and dissemination initiatives.
· Mentor faculty, trainees, and research staff; support career development for emerging investigators in supportive oncology.
· Strengthen research infrastructure, including team-science models, data resources, patient-reported outcomes, pragmatic trials, and learning health system approaches.
· Represent the Walther Center locally and nationally through scholarly leadership, partnerships, and visibility in supportive oncology research communities.
The Walther Center for Supportive Oncology is a major initiative of IUSM and IUSCCC, supported through transformational investment from the Walther Cancer Foundation and developed in partnership with IU Health. The center brings together complementary strengths in palliative care, psycho-oncology, integrative medicine, rehabilitation, symptom management, and survivorship to improve care and outcomes for people with cancer and their families.
IUSCCC is Indiana’s only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center and a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Its investigators conduct basic, clinical, translational, population, and community-engaged research with a mission to reduce cancer mortality and suffering through discovery, education, and patient-centered care.
IUSM is the largest medical school in the United States, with a statewide academic and clinical footprint and a strong record of research funding, education, and partnership. IU Indianapolis is located in the heart of a growing life sciences region with major health care, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and innovation partners.
Indianapolis offers the advantages of a major metropolitan area – professional sports, arts and culture, restaurants, trails, parks, festivals, and an accessible international airport – with a cost of living and quality of life that support recruitment and retention. The region includes nationally recognized communities such as Carmel, Fishers, and Noblesville, along with a wide range of urban, suburban, and rural living options.
IUSM is committed to being a welcoming campus community and we seek candidates whose research, teaching, and community engagement efforts contribute to robust learning and working environments for all students, staff, and faculty. We invite individuals who will join us in our mission to improve health equity and well-being for all throughout the state of Indiana.
Basic Qualifications
· PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent terminal degree in a relevant discipline.
· An established, independently funded research program with a sustained record of peer-reviewed extramural funding and scholarly productivity.
· National or international recognition in supportive oncology or a closely related field.
· Demonstrated success leading interdisciplinary research initiatives and collaborating across clinical, academic, and community settings.
· Record of mentoring learners, junior faculty, and/or multidisciplinary research teams.
· Commitment to advancing inclusive excellence, health equity, and patient- and family-centered cancer care through research, teaching, mentoring, service, or community engagement.
Department Contact for Questions
psychr@iu.edu
Additional Qualifications Special Instructions
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applicants should submit a cover letter describing research vision and leadership experience, curriculum vitae, statement of current and future research interests, and names of references or referee contact information as requested by the search committee.
Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. IUSM is committed to cultivating a welcoming campus community and seeks candidates whose research, teaching, mentoring, service, and community engagement efforts contribute to robust learning and working environments for all students, staff, and faculty.
Priority Application Review Deadline 09/30/2026 Expected Start Date 11/20/2026 Posting Number IUSM-02503-2026
In 1936, a small group of alumni, friends, and members of the Indiana University community founded the IU Foundation to fulfill a dream of educational opportunity for all.
A not-for-profit corporation, IUF is dedicated to maximizing private sector support for IU. State appropriations provide less than a third of IU’s operating budget, so private gifts are vital to keeping an IU education both exceptional and affordable.
