Assistant Dean for Translational Research and Commercial Innovation, School of Medicine

Unit: School of Medicine

Department: Dean’s Office: Research

Eligibility: Open only to current Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine faculty members

Mission or Goal of Unit

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine is dedicated to improving health through exceptional and innovative discovery, training, and patient care. Central to this mission is a vibrant research ecosystem that advances scientific discoveries from the laboratory and clinical setting into tangible solutions that improve human health. Through innovation, entrepreneurship, strategic partnerships, and technology commercialization, the School of Medicine seeks to accelerate the translation of discoveries into diagnostics, therapeutics, devices, digital health solutions, and other innovations that create societal and economic impact.

Chief Purpose of this Position

The School of Medicine (SOM) seeks an accomplished scientist or clinician-scientist to serve as Assistant Dean for Translational Research and Commercial Innovation. Reporting to the Senior Associate Dean for Research, the Assistant Dean will work closely with SOM leadership, the VCU Office of Research, VCU TechTransfer and Ventures, the Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research, VCU Health, and external partners across industry, venture capital, entrepreneurship, and economic development sectors.

The Assistant Dean will provide strategic leadership to strengthen the SOM’s translational research and innovation ecosystem, foster a culture of entrepreneurship, and accelerate the movement of discoveries toward commercialization and real-world impact. The individual will serve as a catalyst for collaboration between basic, translational, clinical, and population health researchers and will help faculty identify and pursue pathways for technology development, intellectual property protection, startup formation, licensing, and industry partnerships.

The candidate will have a strong record of scientific accomplishment, innovation, and external engagement, along with a strategic vision for translating research discoveries into products, technologies, clinical applications, or commercial ventures.

The position is funded at 30% effort, with the remaining effort determined by the faculty member’s home department.

Position Responsibilities

Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement the School of Medicine’s strategic vision for translational research, innovation, and commercialization.
• Lead initiatives that strengthen the translational research pipeline and accelerate the movement of discoveries from bench to bedside and beyond.
• Increase awareness, engagement, and participation in commercialization and entrepreneurial activities across the SOM.
• Identify opportunities to align institutional strengths with emerging scientific, clinical, and market opportunities.
• Represent the School of Medicine in institutional, regional, and national innovation and commercialization initiatives.

Innovation & Commercialization

• Promote the identification, protection, and development of intellectual property arising from SOM research.
• Support faculty in navigating commercialization pathways, including licensing, startup creation, venture development, and industry-sponsored research.
• Partner with TechTransfer and Ventures and other institutional stakeholders to enhance commercialization outcomes and innovation metrics.
• Facilitate access to translational funding opportunities, proof-of-concept programs, innovation grants, and entrepreneurial resources.
• Develop strategies to increase invention disclosures, patent activity, licensing agreements, startup formation, and industry engagement.

Collaboration & Partnerships

• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, digital health, and other industry partners.
• Expand collaborations with venture capital groups, accelerators, incubators, foundations, and economic development organizations.
• Partner with VCU Health, the Office of Research and Innovation, and other VCU schools and units to build a connected innovation ecosystem.
• Serve as a liaison between faculty innovators and internal and external stakeholders to advance translational opportunities.

Faculty Development & Mentorship

• Mentor faculty, trainees, and research teams in translational science, commercialization, entrepreneurship, and industry engagement.
• Work with SOM Research Development, Faculty Affairs, and other institutional partners to develop educational programs supporting innovation and commercialization.
• Promote faculty success in securing translational and commercialization funding from federal, foundation, industry, and private-sector sources.
• Foster a culture that recognizes and rewards innovation, technology development, and entrepreneurial achievement.

Operations & Program Development

• Advise SOM leadership regarding policies, resources, and infrastructure needed to support translational research and commercialization.
• Evaluate existing innovation support programs and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Monitor and report key performance indicators related to translational research, commercialization, intellectual property development, industry-sponsored research, and startup activity.
• Facilitate cross-disciplinary collaborations that advance translational discoveries and commercialization outcomes.
• Support the development of institutional programs, centers, and shared resources that strengthen the innovation ecosystem.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• MD, PhD, MD/PhD, or equivalent terminal degree
• Current School of Medicine faculty appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor
• Demonstrated record of excellence in biomedical, clinical, translational, or health-related research
• Sustained record of extramural funding and scholarly achievement
• Knowledge of intellectual property development, technology transfer, commercialization processes, and innovation ecosystems
• Demonstrated leadership experience in research, innovation, entrepreneurship, or translational science
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build consensus and collaborate across academic, clinical, industry, and community stakeholders
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strategic thinking, organizational effectiveness, and program development experience
• Impeccable integrity and personal ethics
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing innovation, entrepreneurship, or commercialization training programs
• Leadership experience in translational science centers, innovation programs, or academic-industry partnerships
• Experience obtaining translational funding from programs such as NIH SBIR/STTR, NSF, ARPA-H, BIO initiatives, proof-of-concept funding, or similar mechanisms
• Established relationships within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, digital health, venture capital, or entrepreneurial communities
• Experience leading or participating in technology commercialization, licensing, venture creation, or industry-sponsored research programs
• Record of invention disclosures, patents, licensed technologies, or commercialization-related achievements

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Other

Rank: Professor

Tenure: Open

Months: 12 Month Faculty

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Fadi Slalom, PhD, FAHA, FAPS
Contact Email: Fadi.Salloum@vcuhealth.org

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