Job Details

Research Associate Professor - Implementation Science

Position Number: 6957839
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Position Type: Medicine - Other Medicine

Research Associate Professor - Implementation Science

Details

The Division of Health Systems Innovation & Research in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the University of Utah invites applications for a Research Associate Professor with a focus on Implementation Science.

The successful candidate will join a growing, highly collaborative division with a substantial portfolio of federally funded research. This position is well suited for a self-motivated mid-career investigator seeking to build an independent research trajectory while contributing to team-based, applied implementation science. The Research Associate Professor will engage in funded research projects and have opportunities to contribute to grant development and peer-reviewed publications, with authorship and investigator roles commensurate with effort and responsibilities. Importantly, the Research Associate Professor will contribute to the consultation activities of the Utah CTSI's Dissemination and Implementation Science Core. As such, interest and prior experience supporting other's projects in implementation science is required. The Research Associate Professor will also be encouraged to seek independent external funding for their program of research and have opportunities to mentor/co-mentor early career scientists and trainees and otherwise contribute to the educational and training mission of the School of Medicine and the department.

The faculty member will collaborate closely with investigators across the Division, Department, and University of Utah Health system, working alongside clinicians, methodologists, and operational partners to design, conduct, and evaluate implementation-focused research aimed at improving health care delivery and population health outcomes.

Role Responsibilities

Developing and maintaining high-quality, productive research projects in implementation science with a mix of independent and collaborative funding
Contributing to applications for extramural funding as Principal Investigator, Multiple Principal Investigator, co-investigator, or collaborator
Participating in collaborative, team-based research across the Department, University of Utah Health, and external institutions
Submitting research findings for publication in peer-reviewed journals as both lead and contributing author
Presenting research findings at scientific meetings and professional forums
Providing dissemination and implementation science methodological consultation through the Dissemination & Implementation Science Core (DISC), aligned with expertise and effort
Supervising and mentoring research staff (e.g., research assistants, analysts, postdoctoral fellows, or graduate trainees) as needed to support research activities
Identifying and addressing research-related challenges using professional judgment, experience, and methodological expertise
Communicating effectively with collaborators and stakeholders at professional, technical, and administrative levels

Qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD, MD, or MD/PhD (or equivalent) in population health, health services research, implementation science, or a closely related field by the time of appointment and must meet the Department's criteria for appointment at the rank of Research Associate Professor.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:

Training and experience in implementation science and implementation-focused research projects
A record of peer-reviewed publications in implementation science consistent with rank
Evidence of scholarly productivity and potential to secure extramural research funding
Ability to work effectively in a team science environment
Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary investigators, including clinicians/physician-scientists, methodologists, and operational partners
Strong written and oral communication skills
Experience in forming and maintaining community and implementation partners in the context of implementation research

Experience working within health care delivery systems, learning health systems, or community-engaged research settings is highly desirable as is demonstrating a breadth of interest and experience in several delivery systems. We are also interested in a candidate with complementary methodologic skills to the current DISC faculty. These areas include but are not limited to organizational behavior, working with state and county governmental implementation partners, understanding implementation strategy mechanisms, policy-related implementation research, methods development and advancement, and professional background/research foci. Current DISC faculty can be found online.

Top applicants will be invited for a zoom and in-person interview to discuss their research vision and plans, as well as potential future efforts for strengthening academic culture and research community at the University of Utah.

How to Apply
Applicants should submit the following materials:

Curriculum vitae
Letter of interest describing professional experience and scientific accomplishments
Three-page research statement outlining current and future research directions in implementation science
Three professional references with no affiliation to the University of Utah or its affiliates

For questions regarding this position, please contact Dr. J.D. Smith at jd.smith@hsc.utah.edu.

Work Environment
This is an exceptional opportunity to join a high-caliber, multidisciplinary research community focused on improving health care delivery and population health through rigorous, applied science. The Department of Population Health Sciences reported $29.6M in research expenditures in the most recent fiscal year and serves as a hub for methodological innovation and collaborative research. Learn more about the work environment online.

The University of Utah Health system provides a unique environment for implementation science as the only academic health sciences center within a 500-mile radius, enabling close collaboration with clinical partners, health system leaders, and operational stakeholders. The institution is nationally recognized for its strengths in informatics, data infrastructure, and health information technology innovation.

The University and Department are deeply committed to supporting faculty and staff in leading balanced and fulfilling professional lives and to fostering a, respectful and welcoming environment where all members of the community have equitable opportunities to succeed.

Values and Culture
The University of Utah Health (U of U Health) is a patient focused center distinguished by
collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. The U of U Health values candidates
who are committed to fostering and furthering the culture of compassion,
collaboration, innovation, accountability, acceptance, integrity, quality, and trust that
is integral to our mission.

Department: 01608 - POPULATION HEALTH SCIENCES
City: Salt Lake City, UT
Track: Non Tenure Track
Close Date: 12/18/2026
Open Until Filled: Yes
Requisition Number: PRN04009F

To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/196935

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (OEO/AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at:
https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/
Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu