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Sidra Medical and Research Center
Full time
JOB SUMMARY
The Director – Population Genomic Medicine (Investigator Full Level) is equivalent to that of a Full Professor at an academic Institution or University, and is in charge of running the Population Genomic Medicine department in the Research Branch. Working closely with the Division’s Principal Investigators and corresponding clinical teams from the hospital, the Director of Population Genomic Medicine develops and evaluates the program activities related to functional modeling and investigation of the mechanism of disease in patients with rare disorders.
The Investigator – Full Level is equivalent to that of a Full Professor at an academic institution or university and is expected to have completed at least ten years of experience spanning both Investigator – Assistant Level and Associate Level, before being considered for promotion to the rank of Investigator – Full Level. Appointment at, or promotion to this rank is for individuals that have:
• Made a series of creative scientific contributions as independent investigators in their field.
• Demonstrated continued excellence and productivity in research either as a principal investigator or through strong contributions to collaborative research efforts;
• Demonstrated effective leadership of a research group, including the ability to attract and mentor junior colleagues and successfully direct research laboratory.
• Demonstrated a sustained record of extramural funding to support their research division.
• Made significant contributions to the mission of Sidra Medicine through committee service and outreach activities.
In addition to meeting the qualifications for Full Investigator, this individual should have achieved a level of national reputation evidenced by participation in grant/manuscript reviews, invited seminars and talks. Appointment at this rank will be made for an initial term of three (3) years and shall be renewable every three (3) years based on recommendation by the Scientific Leadership Group comprised of internal and external members, and approval by the Chief Research Officer.
KEY ROLE ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Manages, plans, and executes detailed phases of the Research Branch’s Precision Medicine Strategy as it relates to the pillars of building repositories and advanced diagnostics, results of which will have considerable impact on Sidra Medicine’s Research mission to bring advanced technologies closer to patient care.
- Leads the Population Genomic Medicine Division in its mission to research the molecular mechanisms underlying rare genetic diseases, discovers novel therapeutic approaches, and develops an ambitious research program, cutting across several areas of clinical priority at Sidra.
- Leads and supports a group of independent investigators affiliated with the department and oversees their leadership of their own laboratories.
- Establishes and manages their own research group that extends and complements expertise already in place within the Population Genomic Medicine department and the research branch as a whole.
- Develops translational research projects engaging collaborators from the hospital (clinical branch) that have strong potential for advancing the level of care of Sidra patients.
- Participates in steering development of functional core capabilities (e.g., genomics, transciptomics, etc.) and accreditation where applicable.
- Makes substantial contributions to determining feasibility of goals/objectives; may evaluate proposed or ongoing projects; interfaces with study participants and Sidra research management for existing or proposed projects.
- Creates opportunities to enhance technical methodology or content through expansion of existing or development of new efforts; may extend technology into new application areas; contributes or leads in major intellectual development activities.
- Provides innovative problem-solving approaches to enhance organizational capabilities; uses peer network to expand technical capabilities and identify new research opportunities.
- Works with the Chief Research Officer to set broad strategic objectives and contributes to them; nurtures and maintains relationships with major customers/grantors of external research and development grant funding.
- Commits to career development of young Qatari nationals and other trainees at Sidra, either through direct mentorship as line manager and/or Masters/PhD supervisor, or indirectly through providing training opportunities and mentorship within labs in the Division of Population Genomic Medicine.
- Initiates new large scale project concepts and actively seeks external funding; develops technical proposals and makes presentations to potential customer’s/grant sponsors.
- Develops new methods, expands technical expertise and serves as a resource to research unit/department at Sidra.
- Applies a comprehensive knowledge of particular field of specialization to the completion of complex assignments – advances state-of-the-art research in field of specialization.
- Plans and conducts work requiring independent judgment in the evaluation, selection, and substantial adaptation/modification of standard techniques, procedures and criteria.
- Publishes papers and articles in peer-reviewed journals and other relevant publications.
- Actively participates in global scientific events, such as conferences and workshops, and delivers invited scientific lectures at other academic and/or scientific institutions.
- Contributes expertise at technical meetings; gives invited papers; participates in external seminars, workshops, professional societies and committees.
- Adheres to Sidra’s standards as they appear in the Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest policies
- Adheres to and promotes Sidra’s Values
In view of the evolving needs and opportunities within Sidra, this position may be required to perform other duties as assigned and reporting relationships may vary.
QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS – SELECTION CRITERIA
Education:
ESSENTIAL:PhD or MD (with strong research record) degree in a relevant field (especially human genomics, population genetics and bioinformatics) from internationally-reputable institution
PREFERRED:PhD or post-doctoral training in translational (research hospital) environment
Experience:
ESSENTIAL
- 10+ years of biomedical research experience post-terminal degree in population genomics, genetics or bioinformatics
- Significant track record of publications as senior and/or corresponding author in high impact journals
- Completed at least five (5) years at Associate Investigator/group leader level rank with outstanding record of scientific productivity
- Experience developing /leveraging innovative population-level datasets or computational approaches to leverage population-level cohorts including patients for precision diagnosis/care
- Must demonstrate strong credentials in competitive funding, publications in peer-reviewed journals, and be recognized for excellence in professional circles in research, and service to the scientific community
- Active roles in regional and global consortium in Human Genetics and Genomics
- Track record of in mentorship of trainees and capacity building
PREFERRED
- Multidisciplinary experimental and computational knowledge
- Experience from R&D in large pharma industry
- Research track record relevant to Arab/Middle Eastern populations
- Experience in the areas of population genomics, newborn screening, rare disease cohort building, and/or ‘omics analysis
- Work experience in healthcare institutions in the relevant mentioned areas
Certification and Licensure: Valid medical license, if applicable (preferred)
Professional Membership: Membership in professional societies in fields relevant to genomics and/or population medicine (preferred)
Job Specific Skills and Abilities:
ESSENTIAL
- Demonstrated track record of leadership of multidisciplinary teams
- Knowledgeable of scientific research methods and evaluation of research results, and ability to develop and maintain own knowledge and skills at the forefront of field
- Serving in institutional boards and contributing to high level management and strategy
- Awareness of heath challenges affecting MENA region especially woman/children
- Capable of working independently and without direction on assigned tasks/projects.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
PREFERRED
- Familiarity Linux environment, HPC, and computational and statistical techniques for large data manipulation, interrogation, and visualization
- Experience of work culture in the Gulf region
- Arabic speaking
Sidra Medicine a healthy population is essential to a strong, prosperous society, and throughout 2020, Sidra continued to provide uninterrupted comprehensive specialist healthcare services for children and young people; and exceptional maternity, gynecology, and reproductive medical services for women, previously unavailable in Qatar and the region.” – H.H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation
Sidra Medicine represents the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser who serves as its Chairperson. This high-tech facility is home to world-class patient care, scientific expertise, and educational resources.
