Division Director and Endowed Chair – Molecular Oncology & Cellular Therapeutics

The Department of Pediatrics at Children’s Mercy (CM) seeks to recruit a creative and scholarly leader to serve as the founding Division Director of our newly established Division of Molecular Oncology & Cellular Therapeutics (MOCT). In close partnership with the Division of Clinical Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant (CHOT), MOCT is the academic home for discovery and translational science in the field of hematology/oncology/transplant. The Division Director will be an influential leader who will expand our current laboratory-based research programs and collaborate with faculty members in CHOT to develop new diagnostic and treatment options for pediatric and young adult hematology and oncology patients.

There are currently five principal investigators in MOCT. Funded research includes tumor suppressor pathways, glioblastoma, diffuse midline glioma, infant and other high-risk leukemias, leukemia stem cells, immunogenic cell death and mitigation of acute and delayed radiation exposure. In addition to augmenting existing research programs, a major area of emphasis for the Division Director will be to recruit experienced scientists whose expertise is additive to the entire division and who have a passion for mentoring the next generation of scientists. Children’s Mercy is fortunate to have five available endowed chairs for established scientists whose work is directly relevant to immunotherapy and pediatric malignancies. It is anticipated that the Division Director of MOCT will be appointed to one of these Chairs, with the remaining to be used for strategic recruitments. 

In addition to CHOT, the Division Director will collaborate internally with the Genomic Medicine Center (GMC) and the Genomics Laboratory (Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, DPLM), both of which provide advanced cancer genomic sequencing for clinical and research applications. Routine management of all newly diagnosed patients with cancer includes clinical tumor and deep exome germline DNA sequencing using state-of-the-art short-read sequencing on the Illumina NovaSeqX platformed in the GMC. The GMC also performs clinical and research molecular characterization of tumor and germline specimens including advanced sequencing technologies, such as CLIA- and CAP-compliant long-read read 5-base sequencing (HiFi-GS). Furthermore, functional characterization of cells and tissues is facilitated by research platforms including single-cell sequencing, chromatin and RNA-seq. In addition, the GMC has a research platform for patient-derived organoids. The DPLM provides a full clinical molecular testing suite including cytogenetics, pharmacogenetics, clinical microarray, and optical mapping.

Externally, the Division Director will facilitate connections between the Children’s Mercy Research Institute (CMRI) and regional research institutions to collaborate on innovative discovery and translational research. CM is the pediatric partner in the NCI-designated Kansas University Comprehensive Cancer Center (KUCCC) and has active research collaborations with both the KUCCC and the Stowers Institute for Medical Research.

To achieve the vision of a national-recognized research program, approximately 7,000 square feet of contiguous space is available for programmatic expansion in the CMRI, including wet bench laboratory space, adjacent faculty offices, graduate student and post-doctoral fellow cubicles, and shared equipment bays and rooms. Immunotherapeutics and cellular therapy are also significant opportunities for research and programmatic development. Our vision to lead in the field influenced the construction of a 3,000 square feet GMP facility adjacent to the laboratory space in the CMRI building. We aim to expand discoveries from immunotherapeutics research towards improved cancer treatments and refined management of both solid organ transplantation and diseases of immunologic origin.

The foremost qualities necessary for this position are a compelling vision for discovery and translational research in hematology, oncology, bone marrow transplant, and cellular therapy (H/O/B/CT). The successful candidate will have a strong track record of academic achievement evidenced by sustained extramural funding and a desire to build a division that will be recognized as a national leader. Other desired characteristics include successful associations with NCI Comprehensive Cancer Centers and a commitment to advancing a culture of high accountability and collaboration. The individual selected for this position will be a strategic and highly communicative leader who holds PhD, MD/PhD or MD credentials.

About the Clinical Program. CHOT is divided into 3 sections – Hematology, Oncology, and BMT (H/O/B). CHOT has a long-standing clinical fellowship in H/O/B, an advanced fellowship in pediatric coagulation and an advanced research fellowship for trainees committed to a research-intensive career path.

• The Hematology Section has active programs in coagulation, sickle cell and general hematology. The Kansas City Regional Hemophilia Treatment Center is among the 5 largest in the country and is a 340B program. The Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program cares for over 300 children, and our hematologists oversee the Anticoagulation Management Team and the Coagulation Consult Service, staff the Vascular Anomalies Specialty Clinic, and co-direct the Pediatric Stroke team
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• The Oncology Section has programs focused on specific cancers, patient populations & diagnostics, and therapeutics. Faculty (MD/DO/PhD) within and outside the Division have a growing presence in cancer research with current focus and grant support in cancer genomics, cancer biology, experimental therapeutics, immunotherapeutics and the impact of ethnic diversity on treatment outcomes. CM is an active COG institution and a member of the COG Pediatric Early Phase-Clinical Trial Network (PEP-CTN).
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• The Blood & Marrow Transplantation/Cellular Therapy Section is both FACT- and COG-accredited, and we are a regional referral center for BMT of off-trial patients. The program shares a stem cell processing lab with the KUCCC adult BMT program, one of the largest in the country. The lab is capable in all stem cell source transplants including related, unrelated, matched, mismatched, T-cell depleted, haplo-identical, bone marrow, peripheral blood and umbilical cord blood. Building on the early cellular therapy discovery efforts at CM, the program can perform complicated graft manipulation for either clinical or research endeavors.

• Further details for all aspects of CHOT may be found on the CMH H/O/BMT webpages which includes over 10 years of Cancer Center Annual reports: http://tinyurl.com/CancerCtr-annual-report.

 About Children’s Mercy

Children’s Mercy is a nationally recognized, free-standing children’s hospital founded in 1897 to provide care for poor and ill children of Kansas City. As a freestanding, independent children’s hospital, CM provides comprehensive pediatric care across the spectrum of primary to quaternary care delivered by 750 doctors in more than 40 subspecialties. Our primary service area encompasses 150 counties in Missouri and Kansas. In 2023, CM conducted nearly 600,000 total visits, including 55,000 telemedicine visits, almost 204,000 emergency and urgent care visits, and 20,000 surgical cases. CM is one of only ten centers in the nation verified as a Level 1 Children’s Surgery Center by the American College of Surgeons and the only pediatric Level I Trauma Center in the region. CM has been ranked consistently by U.S. News & World Report in the top 50 of all ten assessed pediatric subspecialties. We enthusiastically complement our nationally-ranked subspecialty care with robust community support programs that keep kids safe and healthy.

Education

CM is the pediatric clerkship site for both UMKC and KU medical students. Graduate medical education supports over 1,400 trainees annually, with accredited residencies in pediatrics, med/peds, child neurology, pediatric dentistry, pediatric optometry and pharmacy. We have over 40 fellowship programs, provide training for psychology interns and post-doctoral fellows, and have post-doctoral PhD scientists in clinical and laboratory-based research programs.

Research

Children’s Mercy is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of children through engagement in world-class, collaborative translation research. Through the generosity of two substantial philanthropic gifts, in 2020 CM opened a nine story, 375,000 square foot facility providing scientists access to state-of-the-art technology with ample dry and wet lab spaces. These generous gifts and many others support enhancement of scientific programs and targeted recruitment. Research conducted today includes basic, translational and clinical research across many pediatric subspecialties. Areas of strength include Precision Therapeutics, Genomic Medicine, Population Health and Emerging Infections. CM holds a T32 training grant in Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology and is an impactful member of the Frontiers Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) at the University of Kansas. This regional CTSI program comprises four universities (including three medical schools) and three health systems on both sides of the Missouri-Kansas state line.

 About Kansas City:

The Kansas City Metropolitan Area is an affordable and comfortable place to live and raise a family. The metro’s anchor city, Kansas City, Missouri, is the largest city in Missouri and has many great museums, a busy downtown, multiple professional sports franchises, an exciting music scene and many charming neighborhoods. The metro area includes four of the seven largest cities in Kansas, including Kansas City (Kansas), Overland Park and Olathe. Kansas City is large enough to provide the features of a metropolitan area, but still allows for easy commutes, assessable amenities and a very high quality of life with highly ranked public schools, great parks and other green spaces, and lots of amazing people.

Ideal Qualifications and Experience

• PhD, MD/PhD or MD/DO credential
• Strong record of academic achievement and success in obtaining extramural support for research
• Robust national and international research network
• Demonstrated commitment to developing the next generation of pediatric and young adult H/O/B/CT researchers
• A commitment to the CM True North pillars: quality and safety, people, patient experience & family, delivery, and stewardship
• Fosters and models the CM values: kindness, curiosity, inclusion, team and integrity
• A history of success in partnering with clinicians to advance the research mission
• A deep dedication to fostering and supporting programs that address equity, inclusion, and diversity
• Experience in partnering with academic medical centers
• Strong interpersonal skills and enthusiasm to pursue productive collaborations within CM and our partner institutions

This is a non-clinical faculty position offering an academic appointment at the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine, rank to be commensurate with experience. CM is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The MOCT Division Director reports to the Chair of Pediatrics. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our faculty and staff and fostering their success when hired. Members of underrepresented groups are welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. For additional information, please visit our website at www.childrensmercy.org

Nominations and applications (cover letter and curriculum vitae) should be submitted via e-mail to the Search Committee Chair:

Dr. Tomi Pastinen (tpastinen@cmh.edu)

CC to physicianjobs@cmh.edu

All materials will be treated as confidential.

Children’s Mercy Kansas City is an independent, non-profit, 390-bed pediatric health system, providing over half a million patient encounters each year for children from across the country. Children’s Mercy is ranked by U.S. News & World Report in nine specialties. We have received Magnet® recognition five times for excellence in nursing services. In affiliation with the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the university of Kansas School of Medicine, our faculty of more than 800 pediatric specialists and researchers is actively involved in clinical care, pediatric research and educating the next generation of pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists. 

The Children’s Mercy Research Institute (CMRI) integrates research and clinical care with nationally recognized expertise in genomic medicine, precision therapeutics, population health and health care innovation. In 2021 the CMRI moved into a nine story, 375,000 square foot space emphasizing a translational approach to research in which clinicians and researchers work together to accelerate the pace of discovery that enhances care. We invite you to visit Children’s Mercy Hospital virtually at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtlXT3xK-bI

Kansas City is a thriving cultural and economic city with more than 2 million residents. Our city’s long list of attractions includes world class museums, a vibrant arts scene, professional sports, superb shopping, great jazz clubs, and the best places to enjoy barbeque! The city offers low cost-of-living, excellent commute times, and a vibrant downtown, eight-block dining, entertainment and shopping district.  Kansas City offers excellent opportunities for both public and private school venues and is home to several colleges and universities. It’s a community with a heart – friendly, easy-going and forward-thinking – a great place to live and pursue a career. For more information about activities in Kansas City go to www.visitkc.com

 For more information about Children’s Mercy Kansas City and about Kansas City itself, visit childrensmercy.org/careers/take-your-place/

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