Careers in Quality

The Abigail Wexner Research Institute (AWRI) at Nationwide Children’s Hospital seeks applications and nominations for the position of Director of the Center for Biobehavioral Health, one of the 14 research centers at AWRI. The mission of the Center for Biobehavioral Health is to improve the physical and mental health of children, adolescents, and their families through biobehavioral research with individuals and populations, using a multidisciplinary and biopsychosocial approach.

Center for Biobehavioral Health (nationwidechildrens.org)

The Director:

• Will collaboratively set the strategic direction of the center in alignment with the Nationwide Children’s overall plan.
• Will oversee the center’s planned growth and development, as well as the scientific translation of its nationally recognized research portfolio.
• Will recruit and develop a diverse and inclusive team of faculty, trainees, and staff.

Qualifications Required:

• PhD, MD, or MD/PhD with focus in pediatric biobehavioral health research.
• Strong track record of managing a successful research program in pediatric biobehavioral health, including NIH funding.
• National and international presence in pediatric biobehavioral health research community.
• Strong record of mentorship to develop junior faculty and trainees (graduate, post-doctoral, residents/fellows).

About the Center for Biobehavioral Health:

• Currently includes 15 faculty principal investigators and nearly 75 trainees and staff.
• Faculty are members of The Ohio State University College of Medicine.
• In 2022, center faculty received over $7 million dollars in external grant awards.

About the Research Institute: 

• Top ten among free-standing children’s hospitals for NIH funding
• Designed for collaboration, creativity, and team science
• Comprehensive resources including regulatory support, tech transfer, genomics, and GMP facility
• 20 investigators hired in 2022
• Nearly 200 investigators total

About Nationwide Children's Hospital:

• Among largest pediatric hospitals in the US: 1M+ patient visits annually
• Nationally recognized for diversity and inclusion
• US News & World Report Honor Roll hospital
• 1500+ total medical faculty

About Columbus, Ohio:

• State capital with 2M+ population
• Forbes #1 rising city for startups
• Outstanding quality of life and cost of living

Through our diversity, we achieve the highest standards of inclusiveness and create a culture that respects individual differences. It is the cornerstone of our strategic plan and how we attract the best people to ensure the best programs. To build a diverse workforce, Nationwide Children’s encourages applications from individuals with disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women. EEO/AA employer.

Inquiries, nominations, and applications should be sent in strict confidence to Patrick Kennedy at Patrick.Kennedy@nationwidechildrens.org in Faculty Recruitment.

About https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/research/areas-of-research/center-for-biobehavioral-health

The Abigail Wexner Research Institute aggressively supports the discovery of new knowledge and its translation into novel therapeutics and diagnostic tests to advance pediatric research. Unprecedented investment and inspired leadership have paved the way for tremendous progress. The impact on children who previously had little hope has been truly remarkable. Our investigators traverse the spectrum of pediatric research from discovery science to population health with the common goal of improving the health and quality of life for children and their families. We recruit and train some of the brightest and most innovative researchers and clinician-scientists in pediatrics. Our researchers’ dedication and commitment enable them to work together to accomplish more than could be imagined independently. Here, discovery, translation and team science aren’t just ideals. They are our foundation as we seek answers on behalf of children everywhere. The Center for Biobehavioral Health seeks to improve the health and health care of children, adolescents, and their families through behavioral research on vulnerable individuals and populations, using a multidisciplinary and biopsychosocial approach.

Connections working at https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/research/areas-of-research/center-for-biobehavioral-health