Join Our Talent Network Skip to main content Menu Search Jobs Search All Jobs Applicant Resources About Us Who We Are Compensation & Benefits Access and Opportunity Military Recruitment Events Talent Networks Featured Jobs Nursing Allied Health Administrative/Non-Clinical Leadership & Executive Browse All Opportunities Locations Alabama Charlotte Floyd Navicent Wake Forest Baptist Wake Forest University School of Medicine Physicians/APP Students Enter keyword, facility, job title, skills Enter City, State or Zip Back to Search Results Vice Chair of Research Affairs and Section Chief of Comparative Medicine Department of Pathology Winston Salem, NC, United States Job ID: R158581 Shift: Various Job Type: Regular Share: mail mail to friend share to facebook share to twitter share to linkedin Apply Now Department:85036 Wake Forest University Health Sciences - Academic Comparative MedicineStatus: Full timeBenefits Eligible:YesHours Per Week:40Schedule Details/Additional Information:VariesPay Range$0.00 - $0.00Vice Chair of Research Affairs and Section Chief of Comparative MedicineDepartment of PathologyThe RoleThe Department of Pathology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM) is seeking a dynamic, innovative and energetic leader to become the Vice Chair of Research Affairs and Section Chief of Comparative Medicine for the department. Candidates must have a record of excellence in translational research and experience with nonhuman primate models. A successful Section Head of Comparative Medicine will develop strategies to continue advancing and growing Comparative Medicine's research programs, further leverage collaborations with research faculty and leaders across WFUSM Departments and Centers, promote an atmosphere where team-science is valued and augmented by skills and resources across a large and diverse research enterprise, and support career development of faculty and fellows in the section. As Vice Chair, this individual must demonstrate the ability to effectively steward department and section resources, exhibit an entrepreneurial spirit, and partner with the Department Chair to elevate academics during a time of great change.The OrganizationAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and Advocate HealthAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist (AHWFB) is a leading $5.7 billion academic health system based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, serving as the academic core of Advocate Health. It encompasses an integrated clinical network anchored by the 885-bed Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Brenner Children's Hospital, six community hospitals, over 300 care locations, and more than 2,700 physicians. The system also includes Wake Forest University School of Medicine, renowned for its experiential education and research, and Wake Forest Innovations, which advances medical technologies. Recent investments, such as the $426 million Julie Ann Freischlag Tower, have expanded critical care capacity and enhanced patient-centered facilities.Advocate Health (AH), formed by the merger of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health, is the third-largest nonprofit integrated health system in the U.S., headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. AH treats nearly 6 million patients in 70 hospitals, 1,000+ care sites, and 160,000 employees spanning 5 states. It excels in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, and pediatrics, leading clinical innovation and value-based care. Partnered with Wake Forest University School of Medicine, AH supports one of the largest graduate medical education program. The system provides over $6 billion in annual community benefits to fulfill its mission of caring for all.Wake Forest University School of MedicineWake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM) is nationally recognized for its innovative curriculum, clinical training, and research excellence, ranking among the top 50 U.S. medical schools and consistently securing substantial NIH funding. Guided by its vision of "One School, One Mission, Growing Community, Global Impact," WFUSM operates two campuses in Winston-Salem and Charlotte, training nearly 2,500 students, residents, and fellows, and supporting over 3,400 faculty members. As the academic core of Advocate Health, WFUSM leads multi-state, multi-site research through unified infrastructure-including a single IRB and harmonized electronic health records-covering over 6 million patients. With $423 million in extramural funding in 2024, the school has developed nationally preeminent programs in aging, Alzheimer's, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes/metabolism, neurosciences, and regenerative medicine, and established Translational Bridges to accelerate research and clinical integration. WFUSM is committed to producing diverse medical professionals who reflect the communities they serve, reducing physician shortages, and driving health technology and innovation through a regional corridor that brings new treatments to patients faster and supports economic growthDepartment of PathologyThe Department of Pathology is committed to outstanding patient care, academic excellence and cutting-edge research. The Wake Forest School of Medicine's Department of Pathology faculty and staff are dedicated to serving the region and community by providing superior diagnostic care, supporting and conducting advanced research, and educating professionals in pathology and its subspecialties. The Department of Pathology is home to anatomic and clinical pathologists, as well as the section of Comparative Medicine. The Department is currently comprised of approximately 50 faculty members and 650 staff members across the health system.Section of Comparative MedicineThe Comparative Medicine section has a growing multidisciplinary team of thirteen PhD, DVM, and DVM/DACVP scientists who are uniquely skilled in translational research using nonhuman primates. Areas of research strength include aging, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, behavioral neurobiology, radiation effects, cancer, and pediatric/developmental programming. Comparative Medicine faculty serve as the center for nonhuman primate model expertise and provide research services to other investigators. The Section is also home to two NIH-funded national resource nonhuman primate (NHP) colonies (the Vervet Research Colony consisting of over 300 genotyped and pedigreed vervet monkeys, and the NIAID Radiation Late Effects Cohort, consisting of over 150 rhesus monkeys previously exposed to radiation) with a total population of approximately 500 NHPs. Additional onsite resources available to faculty include: 1) imaging capabilities for large animals (CT/DEXA/ PET/CT), and 2) MRIa linear accelerator onsite; 3) a ~2600 sq ft ABSL-3 facility; 4) Comparative Medicine Veterinary Pathology Core; and 5) the Preclinical Translational Research Services Core. These primate resources provide abundant research opportunities and serve as magnets for collaborative work.Comparative Medicine faculty and resources are mainly located on the 200-acre Thomas B Clarkson Campus where School of Medicine researchers have conducted research for nearly 60 years using a variety of animal models, with the majority of research in nonhuman primates. The Campus also has a large community outreach program that has brought more than 4,000 visitors (mostly students) to our facility to learn more about biomedical research careers and the importance of research in improving human health. The Department also administers several shared research facilities, which are available to investigators throughout the institution. These facilities include Cellular Imaging, Digital Pathology Core, and Comparative Pathology Laboratory.ResearchThe Department of Pathology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine leads robust research programs spanning comparative medicine, particularly non-human primate studies in aging, dementia, cardiovascular and infectious diseases, metabolism, and oncology, as well as clinical pathology with a focus on oncology, digital pathology, artificial intelligence, and biomarker discovery. The department aligns its research priorities with the institutional research plan, fostering multidisciplinary collaborations and supporting translational research that bridges basic science and clinical applications.Research activity is supported by substantial external funding, averaging $10-13 million annually over the past eight years, with approximately $10 million from NIH and $2 million from other federal, state, or private sources. The department has recently recruited new investigators and is expanding its expertise, highlighted by major NIH awards (P40 Vervet Colony, U01 Radiation Survivor Cohort) and training grants (T32, T35). The newly established Primate Research Center, directed by Dr. Mark Cline, integrates basic and clinical research, enhancing institutional synergies and positioning WFUSM as a leader in translational research using non-human primate models. Faculty actively collaborate with other centers including the Center of AI Research, Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Brain Tumor Center of Excellence, Levine Cancer Institute, the Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, and the Institute of Regenerative Medicine, producing around 90 publications last year and driving innovation across disciplines.Key ResponsibilitiesResearch Strategy and Vision: Drive the department's (and in parallel the section's) research mission, setting strategic priorities and promoting innovative basic, translational, and clinical research.Development of Programmatic Research: Initiate and enhance pioneering programmatic translational research.Research Administration: Oversee research operations, budget, infrastructure, and compliance with funding agency requirements and institutional policies.Grant Facilitation: Support faculty in securing research funding, foster collaborative grant applications, and monitor progress toward funding goals.Mentorship and Faculty Development: Partner with the Vice Chair for Faculty Development and other members of the department's executive team to provide guidance for junior faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and trainees in building successful research programs and career advancement.Interdepartmental Collaboration: Promote partnerships between the department and other departments and institutes to promote interdisciplinary research.Quality Assurance: Lead initiatives to ensure the integrity, quality, reproducibility, and impact of departmental research outputs.Policy and Compliance: Ensure adherence to institutional animal care and use policies, IACUC guidelines, and external regulatory requirements.Performance Evaluation: Establish metrics for research productivity and assess departmental progress in achieving research objectives.Communication and Representation: Represent the department's research enterprise at institutional meetings, external collaborations, and scientific conferences.Staff Management: Recruit, train, and evaluate relevant staff; foster professional development and continuing education.This position will have .3 FTE effort allocated to the Vice Chair and Section Head role. Pay will be commensurate with rank and years of experience.Candidate ProfileSkills and Competencies RequiredTerminal degree (i.e., DVM, PhD, DO, PharmD, MD)Experience in nonhuman primate modelsAcademic stature as an established principal investigatorCurrent rank of Associate Professor or higherRecord of extramural grant funding and scholarly productivityAn outstanding track record of academic accomplishment in administrative, scholarly, and educational endeavorsThe ability to create and articulate an inspiring vision for the sectionAbility to build purposeful research programs to recruit and develop research facultyAn entrepreneurial and creative approach to developing new, innovative ideas that will stretch the organization and push the boundaries within the industryEstablished excellence in mentoring and experience teaching and mentoring graduate students/postdoctoral fellowsTransparent and a collaborative management styleBusiness skills including budgeting and resource managementTrack record of careful stewardship of institutional resources, decisiveness and ability to make difficult decisionsThe ability to attract and recruit top talent, motivate the team, delegate effectively, and manage performanceDemonstrated commitment to fostering an academic and clinical culture that advances health equity and a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment for all.Interested applicants should send a cover letter, curriculum vitae and a 2-3 page research statement to Dr. Diana Cardona ([email protected]), Chair, Wake forest Department of Pathology and Chief Clinical Officer, Advocate Health and cc TK ([email protected])***Application materials are due by Monday February 23rd, 2026Our Commitment to You:Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more - so you can live fully at and away from work, including:CompensationBase compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or trainingPremium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's jobIncentive pay for select positionsOpportunity for annual increases based on performanceBenefits and morePaid Time Off programsHealth and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term DisabilityFlexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expensesFamily benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leaveDefined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programsEducational Assistance ProgramAbout Advocate Health Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation's largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits. Section Chief, Comparative Medicine and Vice Chair of Research Affairs - Academic Faculty mail to friend share to facebook share to twitter share to linkedin Apply Now Similar Jobs Vice Chair of Research Affairs and Section Chief of Comparative Medicine Department of Pathology Winston Salem, NC, United States Open Rank Tenure Track Position in Preclinical and Translational Musculoskeletal Research Winston Salem, NC, United States Research Faculty, Center for Sleep & Circadian Rhythms Winston Salem, NC, United States Musculoskeletal Researcher - Wake Forest Campus Winston Salem, NC, United States Academic Faculty - Cancer Biology Winston Salem, NC, United States Open Rank Academic Faculty - Child Health Outcomes Leader Winston Salem, NC, United States Program Manager II, Biostatistics and Data Science Winston Salem, NC, United States Open Rank Position (Tenured/Tenure Track) for Clinician Scientist in Alzheimer's Disease Winston Salem, NC, United States Open Rank Professor - Center for Remote Health Monitoring Winston Salem, NC, United States Program Director III, Oncology Clinical Trials Office, Atrium Health Levine Cancer Center Winston Salem, NC, United States Behavioral Health Continuing Education Coordinator Winston Salem, NC, United States Student Involvement and Community Engagement Coordinator Charlotte, NC, United States Ross Summer Student Research Intern - medical students only Charlotte, NC, United States Adjunct Faculty Math - Early College Charlotte, NC, United States Adjunct Faculty II - Math Early College Charlotte, NC, United States Intern - Senior Charlotte, NC, United States Instructor - Nursing Concord, NC, United States 314295 - Faculty I Nursing Education Charlotte, NC, United States Part-Time Clinical Faculty II Concord, NC, United States Clinical Faculty II Concord, NC, United States Simulated Participant Educator 318076 Charlotte, NC, United States facebook twitter linkedin instagram youtube My Account View All Jobs Teammates Site AtriumHealth.org EOE/AA Employer Disability Accommodations E-Verify FAQs