Details
Open Date
06/24/2026
Requisition Number
PRN45599B
Job Title
Director, Research & Science
Working Title
Director of the Center for Medical Cannabis Research
Career Progression Track
I
Track Level
FLSA Code
Executive
Patient Sensitive Job Code?
No
Standard Hours per Week
40
Full Time or Part Time?
Full Time
Shift
Day
Work Schedule Summary
VP Area
President
Department
01491 - Assoc. VP Research Integrity
Location
Campus
City
Salt Lake City, UT
Type of Recruitment
External Posting
Pay Rate Range
Commensurate with Experience
Close Date
09/30/2026
Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)
08/07/2026
Job Summary
The University of Utah seeks a Director of the Center for Medical Cannabis Research
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.
To Apply:
The responsibilities and qualifications described in this profile are intended to provide an understanding of the role and the types of skills, experience, and education that may have prepared someone to be effective in this position. We do not expect any candidate to be a perfect match for this list or to perform duties with equal proficiency on day one. In your CV and cover letter, please highlight the most relevant qualifications you would bring to this position based on the posting, and tell us how your background, perspective, and experience would contribute towards fulfilling the Center’s mission and meet our goals.
A confidential review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled; parties who apply by August 7, 2026 will be given first consideration Upon application, please submit a PDF version of your CV/resume, a cover letter that describes both your motivation for application and how your leadership experience aligns with the qualifications of the role, and a research statement (3-pages max).
All applications and nominations will be held in confidence.
For more information or to offer recommendations or nominations:
Cori Anderson
Senior Consultant
Summit Search Solutions, Inc.
Direct: 828-545-4508
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.
Type
Benefited Staff
Special Instructions Summary
For more information or to offer recommendations or nominations:
Cori Anderson
Senior Consultant
Summit Search Solutions, Inc.
Direct: 828-545-4508
Additional Information
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior
URS service, may elect to enroll in
URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from
URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34
CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (
OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the:
University of Utah Non‑Discrimination pageOnline reports may be submitted at
https://oeo.utah.edu
https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
As per
University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.
