About Us - Values Overview

Department Summary

The Health Research and Innovation Center (HRIC) is a multidisciplinary hub advancing education, grant development, preclinical and clinical research, and centralized clinical trials to accelerate discovery and improve patient and community health.

Position Overview

UNT Health in Fort Worth seeks a visionary leader to serve as the inaugural Executive Director of the Health Research and Innovation Center (HRIC). The HRIC is a multidisciplinary hub advancing education, grant development, preclinical and clinical research, and centralized clinical trials to accelerate discovery and improve patient and community health. The Executive Director will provide strategic leadership, oversee daily operations, and ensure program alignment with institutional priorities. This leader will cultivate collaboration, build strategic partnerships, and elevate UNT Health’s national profile in translational science and innovation.

Minimum Qualifications

PhD degree and five (5) years of related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated success in building and leading multidisciplinary teams and fostering collaboration across various stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of research compliance, federal and state regulations, grant funding mechanisms, and intellectual property processes.
• Exceptional communication, strategic planning, and organizational skills, with a proven ability to inspire and guide teams toward shared goals.
• Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.

Job Duties

• Provide strategic leadership and long-term planning for HRIC initiatives, ensuring alignment with UNT Health’s mission and research priorities. 
• Build and strengthen collaborative partnerships across departments, institutions, industry, and community stakeholders.
• Oversee centralized support infrastructure for preclinical studies, clinical trials, and translational science. 
• Identify funding opportunities and guide faculty in developing competitive grant applications. 
• Lead the center’s technology transfer and commercialization activities, including patents, licensing, and startup ventures.
• Develop and expand educational and training programs for students, trainees, faculty, and staff in translational research, regulatory science, entrepreneurship, and clinical trial management. 
• Manage the center’s financial resources, staffing, and operations, ensuring compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulations.
• Establish performance metrics and report outcomes to institutional leadership and funding agencies. 

Physical Requirements

• Communicating with others to exchange information.

Environmental Hazards

• No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM

Driving University Vehicle

No

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. 

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit -- and takes actions to prevent -- discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking) and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities, facilities and employment practices. The University of North Texas System promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. The University of North Texas System also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist or participate in an investigative proceeding or hearing.