Founding Director of the Kummer Institute Center for BioInnovation and Medical Engineering #00095985

Founding Director of the Kummer Institute Center for BioInnovation and Medical Engineering

Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) invites applications from exceptional, visionary leaders to the role of Founding Director of the Kummer Institute Center for BioInnovation and Medical Engineering. The Founding Director will lead catalytic research initiatives at the intersection of life sciences, engineering, physical sciences, and medicine that translate discovery and innovation to improve human health. The successful candidate will foster interdisciplinary research efforts that build upon the current and emerging strengths of the institution, leading and mentoring faculty colleagues on these projects, and pursuing innovative new partnerships with industry, government, non-profit and/or higher education collaborators that increase Missouri S&T's research impact, recruitment of PhD students and faculty, and business creation.

The Founding Director will provide vision and strategic input into Missouri S&T's expanding academic degree programs in biological sciences, biomedical engineering, bioengineering, and biochemistry. The successful candidate will also play a key role in the deployment of physical assets towards the success of the initiative, including the Bioplex, a $132M, 127,000SF facility that is under construction for a planned 2028 opening.

Position Description

The Founding Director is charged with building and leading successful interdisciplinary teams of faculty, technical and administrative staff, and industry, government and non-profit partners with a focus on developing emerging technologies toward biotech and biomedical applications. Partnerships with industry stakeholders (e.g., industrial research consortia and NSF IUCRC program) will be particularly important to the success of the Director in service to the Kummer Institute's broader goals of enhancing economic development.

The Director will develop a transformational vision for the center that leverages existing campus resources and faculty strengths, while identifying opportunities to lead Missouri S&T toward international prominence in bio-innovation and medical engineering. The Founding Director will hold a faculty appointment at the rank of professor within a department at Missouri S&T that aligns with his/her area(s) of expertise, although the primary focus of this position will be leading and facilitating major multidisciplinary research proposals, especially with industry, and the administrative duties of center leadership.

Successful applicants for the Founding Director position will:

• Be recognized as an international leading researcher in one or more disciplines from biological and medical informatics, biomaterials, bioprocessing/biomanufacturing, drug delivery, biosensors and instrumentation, neurobiology, biomedical engineering, biochemical engineering and related fields.
• Possess the technical expertise and prior accomplishments necessary to make Missouri S&T a global leader in bioinnovation and medical engineering.
• Demonstrate prior evidence of research excellence and establishing a vision, building relationships with industry partners, and establishing coalitions of university and/or government stakeholders to work toward strategic goals, especially major external grants and contracts, in complex, changing environments.
• Build inclusive teams that foster professional development and mentorship, facilitate cooperation and teamwork, and support constructive resolution.
• Hold an unwavering commitment to student success through exceptional research, mentorship, instruction, and career placement activities.

Must have strategic leadership skills, including the demonstrated ability to develop and enact a vision for the Kummer Institute Center for BioInnovation and Medical Engineering that enhances multi-disciplinary research activity within the university, increases collaboration with industry partners, attracts new external partners, and elevates the stature of Missouri S&T.

Must have demonstrated experience leading highly collaborative research and workforce development initiatives, including the coordination of large research grants with diverse partners in academe, industry, and government or non-profit organizations.

The successful applicant will possess credentials necessary to hold a faculty appointment at the rank of Professor, with tenure, at Missouri S&T in an academic department related to the applicant's expertise and the center's activities.

The priority review deadline for this position is September 1, 2025. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter outlining their qualifications and vision for this role, a curriculum vitae, and a separate statement about their leadership qualifications. Finalists will be asked to submit contact information for at least four references.

Applications may be submitted directly using the link below or uploaded to the Missouri S&T Careers page at https://hr.mst.edu/careers/. Candidate inquiries about this role may be directed to hrrecruit@mst.edu.

University Information
Missouri S&T is one of the nation's leading research universities with over 100-degree programs in 39 disciplines. It was founded in 1870 as one of the first technological institutions west of the Mississippi River. Located about 100 miles west of St. Louis in the vibrant community of Rolla, Missouri S&T is an accessible, safe, and friendly campus surrounded by Ozarks' scenery. Missouri S&T offers undergraduate degrees in engineering, the sciences, liberal arts, humanities, and business, with M.S. and Ph.D. programs available in many of the science and engineering programs. With over 7,000 students and 300 faculty, Missouri S&T is big enough to accommodate a broad population, yet small enough for individuals to build high visibility and impactful careers.

KUMMER COLLEGE
Established in 2022, The Kummer College serves as a pathbreaking model for social impact, technology transfer, and interdisciplinary collaboration within a future-oriented STEM-focused university. Supported by the Kummer Institute Foundation at Missouri S&T, this unique college integrates key academic, co-curricular, and administrative activities related to technology commercialization, business innovation and entrepreneurship, systems thinking, and economic development. Within The Kummer College lives several departments: Department of Business and Information Technology (BIT), Department of Economics, Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering (EMSE), Kummer Student Programs and the Division of Technology Transfer and Economic Development (TTED).

COLLEGE of ENGINEERING & COMPUTING (CEC)
Missouri S&T's College of Engineering and Computing is the largest of three colleges at S&T, accounting for approximately 80% of the total enrollment (about 4,500 undergraduates and 800 graduate students). The college includes more than 170 ranked faculty members who serve in 16 undergraduate programs, all with master's and doctoral equivalents organized into nine academic departments. The college recently added a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering and a Ph.D. in bioengineering, both starting in fall 2024. Missouri S&T, supported by the College of Engineering and Computing, is nationally recognized for its career outcomes and ROI.

COLLEGE of ARTS, SCIENCES, & EDUCATION (CASE)
The College of Arts, Sciences, and Education is a catalyst of innovation, creativity, and discovery, where students and faculty work side-by-side to create and share knowledge and understanding. From arts and humanities to the natural and social sciences, the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education has a program for everyone. The College of Arts, Sciences, and Education (CASE) is made up of eleven units including Air Force ROTC, Army ROTC, Arts, Languages and Philosophy, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, English and Technical Communication, History and Political Science, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics, Psychological Science, and Education. The college is home to over 90 tenured/tenure-track and 44 non-tenure-track faculty members. CASE offers more than 85 different academic options including certificates, minors, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

About Rolla
Rolla, Missouri offers several great advantages that help individuals enjoy a high quality of life. Rolla is an ideal place for families, with its low cost of living, excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, and a range of recreational activities suitable for all ages. The Ozark Scenic Riverways and beautiful landscapes offers abundant opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts of every lifestyle. With its vibrant community, Rolla hosts multiple events, concerts, art exhibitions, and theater performances throughout the year. The university's Leach Theatre showcases nationally renowned performers for campus and community alike. Overall, living in Rolla offers a high quality of life with a supportive community, affordable living, beautiful natural surroundings, and numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 573-341-7734.