Position Specification Chief Science Officer, Jackson Heart Study

Candidate Report Position Specification Chief Science Officer, Jackson Heart Study t THE JACKSON HEART STUDY Continually funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) since 2000, The Jackson Heart Study (JHS) is a groundbreaking cohort study investigating cardiovascular disease in the African American community in Jackson, Mississippi. It represents a major step in addressing significant health disparities among Americans. The Study is defined by a unique collaborative model among three institutions – The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), Jackson State University (JSU), and Tougaloo College – in active partnership with the Jackson community and the National Institutes of Health. A study of this scope and ambition requires an inclusive, multi-faceted collaboration to meet its goals of increasing understanding of the origins, prevention, and management of CVD in a population heavily burdened by early development of chronic illness, building local, national and global research capacity, and developing the next generation of scientists of color. JHS aims to transform a history of heart disease in African-Americans into a legacy of heart health through research and translation. It is the largest single-site, prospective epidemiologic investigation of causes of cardiovascular disease among African Americans ever undertaken. The specific objectives of the Study are: Identification of factors, which influence the development, and worsening of CVD in African- Americans, with an emphasis on manifestations related to high blood pressure (such as remodeling of the left ventricle of the heart, coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, and disorders affecting the blood vessels of the kidney). Building research capabilities in minority institutions at the undergraduate and graduate level by developing partnerships between minority and majority institutions and enhancing participation of minority investigators in large scale epidemiologic studies. Attracting minority students to and preparing them for careers in the health sciences. The Partnership between educational institutions, the Jackson community, and the NIH anchors the Study. Each plays an integral role in its continued success. The complexity, number, and diverse perspectives of these stakeholders require the Director to manage the interconnected relationship transparently and inclusively. The Partners: The University of Mississippi Medical Center is the state's only academic health science center. UMMC has nearly 800 faculty and over 9600 full and part-time employees. There are over 2,900 students in the six health sciences schools. UMMC is the largest diagnostic, treatment, and referral care system in the state with six hospitals with 722 beds. Jackson State University is a technologically-focused four-year university, one of only two HBCUs designated as a high research activity university. Located on four campuses, it enrolls nearly 9,000 students. Tougaloo College is a private, co-educational, historically black, liberal arts institution of higher education. Tougaloo College offers 29 majors to its over 900 undergraduate students. Tougaloo College is currently exploring the addition of select graduate programs to its offerings. University Mississippi Medical Center Position Specification – Chief Science Officer – Jackson Heart Study Page 2 of 7 t The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD, are the current primary funders of the JHS. The NHLBI manages the five contracts which gather and manage data, community outreach, and training programs. The NHLBI and other NIH Institutes fund competitively awarded research grants using JHS data and conducting ancillary studies. The Jackson Community: Jackson is the capital city of Mississippi as well as the state’s largest city. In 2010, the population of Jackson city was over 173,000 and of the five county metropolitan area over 539,000. The 5,300 men and women from broader Jackson participating in the Study are the engaged, committed cornerstone enabling its success. The Study has benefited the community through jobs and economic growth. Looking ahead, the Study is positioned to generate additional research and related activity which would further benefit the region. The NHLBI and NIMHD, which fund the contracts which support the JHS, have been strong supporters and active partners throughout JHS’s evolution. The Study is an important priority for the NIH, representing a focus on health disparities research. The NHLBI is committed to the findings and to developing the capacity in Mississippi and in disadvantaged communities. CHIEF SCIENCE OFFICER- POSITION OVERVIEW CORE RESPONSIBILITIES The Chief Science Officer (CSO) for the Jackson Heart Study (JHS) will provide leadership and oversight for the research activity of the Jackson Heart Study, services and activities, including high-quality operational execution. The CSO is a key member of the Jackson Heart Study leadership team, ensuring all policies, programs and initiatives are consistent and will be supportive of JHS’s missions, vision and values. The CSO will work closely with the Director and Principal Investigator (PI) of the Study and will have primary responsibility for the following: 1. Assisting with guiding the scientific direction and research agenda of the study while helping to expand current and future research collaborations with federal consortia, academic institutions, and other alliances. 2. Participating in JHS committees and subcommittees. 3. Overseeing and guide efforts to optimize scientific output and impact from the collected research data. 4. Providing expertise on study design, analysis plans, and interpretation of study results to researchers and committees. 5. Presenting written and verbal communications of study results to JHS investigators, staff, the scientific community, and study community. 6. Providing mentoring and career advice to junior research scientists. University Mississippi Medical Center Position Specification – Chief Science Officer – Jackson Heart Study Page 3 of 7 t 7. Building effective working relationships among management, project teams, data and research coordination teams, and staff. 8. Assist in the development of the Study’s research,, including active participation in research, research management, grant writing and dissemination of research findings. This JHS CSO position is a dream job for the serious physician scientist who wants a position as leading researcher and mentor with an iconic, vibrant, expanding, and transformative research enterprise addressing cardiovascular health inequities among African Americans; warm weather; great family living area; and a fun and collegial work environment. Special consideration will be given to candidates with expertise and research interests that complement or augment existing strengths of the JHS and UMMC, JSU, and Tougaloo College. REPORTING RELATIONSHIP The Chief Science Officer will report to the Study Director and Principal Investigator, Dr Adolfo Correa. The position will have a close working relationship with the Jackson Heart Study Coordinating Center, Field Center, Community Outreach Center, Graduate Training and Education Center, and Undergraduate Training and Education Center as well as a coordinated connection to the Jackson Heart Study Scientific Directions Advisory Council and Communications Office. CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS The preferred candidate must be able to see strategically and execute tactically. To do so, s/he must be able to establish immediate credibility as both a scientist and an executive. As a corollary to the above, the ability to communicate with diverse internal as well as external constituencies and stakeholders is essential. CRITICAL COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS: The successful candidate will be able to work with multiple stakeholders across educational institutions, the Jackson Community and the NIH. Communication Skills: The successful candidate will have a reputation for dynamic, clear and inspirational communications. Relationship Building: The successful candidate will have a demonstrated track record of building strong relationships at all levels and the ability to work effectively in a transdisciplinary systems-based environment. He/she must be able to establish relationships with the collaborating institutions and appreciate that missions of institutions may differ and compete. The successful candidate will be seen as a collaborator and someone who can effect change through relationships. University Mississippi Medical Center Position Specification – Chief Science Officer – Jackson Heart Study Page 4 of 7 t The successful candidate will be able to communicate effectively with physicians, scientists and academic leaders. He/she should have strong organization and process-management skills and high energy coupled with a strong work ethic and a desire to have an impact. Finally, he/she will be committed to service, and demonstrate values and professionalism through appropriate conduct and demeanor at all times. Essential elements in the selected candidate’s credentials and attributes should include: A doctoral degree (e.g., Ph.D., ScD. D.Ph., or M.D. with additional advanced degree in epidemiology, health services research, or public health). Demonstrated expertise in epidemiological and/or health disparities research and proficiency in critical evaluation of research proposals

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