Job Description

Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences (DMU) invites visionary scientific leaders to apply for the inaugural Director of the Applied Analytics and Innovation Center (AAIC). This is a unique opportunity to build and lead a nationally recognized research program at the convergence of artificial intelligence, machine learning, computational science, and translational biomedical research.

As Director, you will drive innovative discoveries that accelerate scientific understanding and improve human health, leveraging advanced computational approaches to address some of the most pressing challenges in medicine and healthcare. Working alongside accomplished researchers, clinicians, and industry partners, you will establish new interdisciplinary collaborations, secure competitive extramural funding, mentor emerging investigators, and advance DMU's growing reputation as a leader in biomedical innovation.

This role is ideal for a highly accomplished researcher who is passionate about translating data into discovery, fostering scientific excellence, and building transformative research programs that create meaningful impact on patient care, healthcare delivery, and population health. At DMU, you will have the opportunity to shape the strategic direction of a rapidly expanding research enterprise while advancing your own cutting-edge scientific agenda.

What you’ll do:

• Lead a nationally competitive research program that advances AI, machine learning, computational science, and translational biomedical discovery.
• Secure and manage external research funding by developing and leading competitive grant proposals to agencies such as NIH, NSF, DoD, foundations, and industry partners.
• Drive innovative scientific discovery through interdisciplinary research spanning areas such as cardiovascular disease, neuroscience, oncology, immunology, and related biomedical fields.
• Build strategic collaborations with faculty, clinicians, health systems, academic institutions, and industry partners to advance biomedical innovation and translational research.
• Provide scientific leadership for the Applied Analytics and Innovation Center (AAIC) by establishing research priorities, expanding capabilities, mentoring investigators, and fostering a high-performing research environment.
• Supervise and develop research personnel while ensuring compliance with research regulations, data governance standards, and responsible AI practices.

What we are looking for:

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent research doctorate in artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer science, biomedical engineering, computational biology, bioinformatics, biostatistics, neuroscience, cardiovascular science, cancer biology, immunology, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Substantial postdoctoral or equivalent independent research experience and an established record of high-quality peer-reviewed publications appropriate for a senior scientific leadership appointment.
• Demonstrated expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, or advanced computational modeling applied to biomedical research, supported by strong knowledge of statistical inference, experimental design, predictive modeling, model validation, and analysis of complex biomedical datasets.
• Demonstrated depth of scientific expertise in at least one biomedical research domain and the ability to develop productive interdisciplinary research collaborations.
• Demonstrated record of securing competitive extramural research funding as a principal investigator, multi-principal investigator, or scientific project leader with substantial responsibility for proposal development and research direction, together with evidence of sustained grant-writing activity and the ability to develop and maintain an independent, externally funded research program.
• Demonstrated experience directing complex scientific investigations, coordinating multidisciplinary research teams, mentoring investigators or research personnel, and producing scholarly outcomes.
• Ability to integrate computational research with experimental, clinical, translational, or engineering applications through direct research experience or sustained scientific collaborations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current or previous appointment as a senior investigator, research professor, department chair, division chief, center director, research program leader, or comparable scientific leadership position.
• Sustained record of PI-level funding, including federal research awards, competitive renewals, multi-investigator grants, or substantial externally funded research programs.
• Experience leading or participating in large multidisciplinary, multi-institutional, center-scale, or programmatic research awards.
• Demonstrated expertise in multimodal AI, deep learning, generative AI, foundation models, causal inference, computational modeling, or advanced biomedical data integration.
• Experience integrating wet-laboratory experimentation, clinical research, biostatistics, and AI/ML approaches to investigate biological mechanisms, disease progression, or therapeutic response.
• Experience in bioinformatics, systems biology, and multi-omics research, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, or biomarker discovery.
• Experience developing biomedical devices, sensors, wearables, IoT systems, digital health technologies, or hardware–software research platforms.
• Experience translating scientific discoveries toward clinical validation, intellectual property development, industry collaboration, or commercialization.
• Experience establishing or expanding research programs, recruiting scientific collaborators, mentoring investigators, and building externally funded interdisciplinary teams.

*To see the full job description go to Position Description at the bottom of this posting.

Total Rewards:

Salary up to $120,000, with compensation determined by the successful candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications.

Our employees are what make DMU special, so we treat them well! Our Total Rewards reflect this commitment. Qualified faculty and staff enjoy a generous employer contribution toward the medical plan, 10% retirement match, flexible work arrangements, community service time, tuition assistance, professional development funding and access to wellness facilities with programs that promote a well-balanced lifestyle. Visit www.dmu.edu/employment to learn more about our benefits.

DMU is proud to offer employees generous benefits and perks, paid time off, free use of wellness facilities and a host of employee engagement and recognition programs throughout the year.

About:

Founded in 1898, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences is a premier medical and health sciences institution comprising three colleges — the College of Osteopathic Medicine, the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery and the College of Health Sciences. DMU offers graduate-level professional degree programs in anatomy, biomedical sciences, health care administration, medical science, occupational therapy, osteopathic medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, podiatric medicine and public health.

Located in West Des Moines, part of Iowa’s capital metro, DMU provides a collaborative, student-centered academic environment. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks in board exam performance, certification pass rates and medical residency match outcomes. Our mission is to improve lives in our global community by educating diverse groups of highly competent and compassionate health professionals.

It is an exciting time to join DMU. Our 88-acre campus in West Des Moines brings the entire academic community together in one collaborative, future-focused environment, while the Des Moines University Clinic serves patients within the DMU32 Health and Business Complex in downtown Des Moines. Our state-of-the-art campus features technology-rich, flexible learning environments that support innovative teaching and connect faculty and students across all of our programs. Modern research facilities include a vibrant open-concept laboratory that fosters collaboration, accelerates discovery and empowers faculty and students to advance the health sciences.

DMU enhances our community’s quality of life by educating outstanding health professionals and leaders, providing expert and compassionate patient care, serving the community in diverse ways and contributing to the vitality of central Iowa.

At DMU, you will make a meaningful contribution to the dynamic future of medicine and health sciences by supporting a diverse community of faculty and staff with programs and services across the employee lifecycle.

Required Documents:

Resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references required at time of online submission. Apply at www.dmu.edu/employment.

Department: Office of Research

Status: Exempt