Multiple Sclerosis/Neuroimmunology Section Director

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Department: Department of Neurology

Job Title: Open Rank- Associate Professor or Professor

Position #: 00804829 – Requisition #: 28639

Job Summary:

The Department of Neurology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is seeking an engaging leader to direct our Multiple Sclerosis/Neuroimmunology (MS/NI) Section and expand its clinical, research, educational, and patient outreach programs. We are seeking an individual who is visionary, collaborative, communicative, caring, detail-oriented, organized, proactive, able to think critically, focused on quality, dedicated to personal growth, and highly motivated. Faculty rank will be at the level of Associate or Full Professor depending on qualifications. Applications are encouraged from candidates with clinical and/or basic research interests. The Department is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and candidates who will help the Department expand DEI are strongly encouraged to apply.

The MS/NI section of the Department of Neurology at the University of Colorado is comprised of eight MS and Neuroimmunology doctors (four fellowship-trained adult and one pediatric MS doctors, one neuro-ophthalmologist, and two Neuroimmunology-trained physicians, one adult and one pediatric), four Adult Nurse Practitioners, three RNs and a host of associate staff. We provide clinical care at four sites in Denver and the surrounding region, with the bulk of patients seen at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, CO (also seen at the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System and Children’s Hospital of Colorado, both on/near the Anschutz Medical Campus; and the Denver Health Medical Center in Denver, CO). This year, we will complete over 9,000 patient visits for multiple sclerosis and related neuroimmunological conditions. We provide state-of-the-art care and partner with dedicated experts in numerous related fields including neuro-ophthalmology, neuro-radiology, neuro-urology, physical therapy, neuro-otology, neurosurgery, neuropsychology, palliative care, and many others. Through an affiliation with a longstanding patient advocacy organization, the Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center (RMMSC), we offer local, regional, national, and international education for patients, their families, and their providers (through professional education). The relationship between the MS/NI section at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, the University of Colorado Hospital, and the RMMSC is referred to as the Rocky Mountain MS Center at the University of Colorado. This position may also serve as the Medical Director of the RMMSC.

In addition, we have a robust basic and translational science program dedicated to a greater understanding of MS and related conditions, with several laboratories within the department of Neurology and related departments. We run the RMMSC Tissue Bank, providing CNS tissues to international researchers for over 30 years, and a large Biobank with ~820 paired blood and spinal fluid specimens from early MS patients and controls. In addition to the biobank, we have over ~240 patients enrolled in our autoimmune, paraneoplastic and inflammatory neurological disease registry as well with banked samples of autoimmune encephalitis, stiff person syndrome, etc. Our clinical MS research program is one of the largest in the U.S., with over 40 active clinical research projects focused on both clinical trials as well as observational, biomarker, and mechanistic studies aiming to develop a greater understanding of these conditions. We have our own SIMOA and SP-X-Planar machines for biomarker studies. The section has numerous grants and contracts for clinical research alone and several members also collaborate with basic science labs on campus. The section’s clinical research program represents a balance between contract studies and investigator-initiated studies including funding from NINDS, NEI, NMSS, PCORI, the Hearst Foundation, Guthy Jackson Charitable Foundation, independent pharmaceutical research grants, philanthropy, and other sources.

Our team engages in a wide variety of educational activities which include mentoring junior faculty, graduate, medical, and post-doctoral students, and neurology residents; and providing Continuing Medical Education (CME) events for local primary care physicians and neurologists. We presently participate in the education of fellows in three interlacing fellowships, including MS/Neuroimmunology (1-2 per year), Neuro-Infectious Disease (1 per year), and a new Autoimmune Neurology Fellowship (1 per year). We have trained 20 fellows, many of whom have continued with their academic careers. The successful applicant will also participate in our professional and patient/family education programs, which are supported and organized through the community based non-profit organization, RMMSC. This includes a novel, multi-year rural provider education program throughout the mountain region.

The duties for this faculty position include teaching, research, clinical service, and administrative duties, as well as leadership and other roles. The overall distribution of such activities and allocation of responsibilities is determined by the department chair based on section needs and faculty member skills, interests, appointments, and funding, amongst other appropriate considerations.

Specific responsibilities include providing subspecialty care to patients with MS, NMOSD, MOGAD, autoimmune encephalitis and other immune/inflammatory diseases of (primarily) the central nervous system. This likely would be exclusively in the outpatient realm but could include inpatient activities at the discretion of the successful applicant. The successful applicant will also join, and lead, other clinicians in the MS and Neuroimmunology Program’s clinical and basic research program.

Teaching activities will be primarily focused on neurology residents and fellows but will also include direction of training for medical students, NPs, PAs, and others. The section chief will lead several administrative and educational meetings of the group.   

Research, scholarship, and educational activities derive from faculty member’s specific interests related to the field of MS & Neuroimmunology. All faculty participate in academic endeavors, including the educational conferences, research and scholarly activities of the section and the department. The section and the department assist in developing individual, scholarly projects via access to and the assistance of the department’s well-established research support infrastructure (centralized within the department), including 15-20 highly efficient research coordinators. It is expected that the successful applicant will have developed a robust clinical and/or basic research program, including documented success in grant production and scholarship.

Administrative responsibilities will include development of critical pathways, committee work and projects aimed at improving the section and department functions. The most important duty in this realm will be to mentor all the section members, especially junior faculty, and fellows. Opportunities to mentor neurology residents and medical students are also available. The section chief will meet no less than annually with each section member to review their progress toward promotion, and will interact with Vice Chair for promotion in this context. Attendance at meetings and educational events of the department and sections programs is expected. An important additional duty is to participate and help direct educational and advocacy initiatives of our partner, the Rocky Mountain MS Center. Other duties may be assigned as need arises.

Why Join Us:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a world-class medical destination at the forefront of transformative science, medicine, education, and patient care. The campus encompasses the University of Colorado health professional schools, more than 60 centers and institutes, and two nationally ranked independent hospitals - UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and Children's Hospital Colorado - that treat more than two million adult and pediatric patients each year. Innovative, interconnected and highly collaborative, the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus delivers life-changing treatments, patient care and professional training and conducts world-renowned research fueled by over $650 million in research grants. For more information, visit www.cuanschutz.edu.

The University of Colorado offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, tuition benefits, ECO pass, paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays and more. To see what benefits are available, please visit: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits-wellness.

Diversity and Equity:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty and administrative staff. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. We encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons within the LGBTQ+ community and all veterans. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

This is an open rank position and could be categorized Associate Professor or Professor based on experience and qualifications as indicated below:

Associate Professor

• MD or DO
• Experience in an academic hospital setting
• Board Certified Neurologist
• Completed fellowship training in Neuroimmunology, or documented longstanding care or research in this field
• A record of ongoing research activity and funding
• A State of Colorado medical license and DEA license must be obtained on or before hire date.
• Applicants must have a scholarly and academic record consistent with appointment at the Associate Professor level in the School of Medicine

Professor

• MD or DO
• Experience in an academic hospital setting
• Board Certified Neurologist
• Completed fellowship training in Neuroimmunology, or documented longstanding care or research in the field
• A record of ongoing research activity and funding
• A State of Colorado medical license and DEA license must be obtained on or before hire date.
• Applicants must have a scholarly and academic record consistent with appointment at the Professor level in the School of Medicine

Preferred Qualifications:

• Eligible to obtain other states’ unrestricted medical licenses, if necessary

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work independently and within diverse team structures.
• Patient privacy rights and patient safety
• A positive, motivated, engaged, and caring attitude
• Outstanding clinical skills in Neurology, Neuroimmunology, and Multiple Sclerosis Medicine
• Ability to work with colleagues and patients in a professional manner
• Dedication to professional development, teaching, and education, and to mentoring others
• Ability to be adaptable, flexible, and creative
• Writing skills as exemplified in scholarly work and grant applications
• Ability and willingness to perform multiple administrative duties related to section and department function
• Ability and willingness to lead multiple educational and administrative section meetings per month
• Ability and willingness to recruit, work with, mentor and lead a diverse group of medical professionals

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position
2. Curriculum vitae / Resume
3. Three - Five professional references including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Questions should be directed to: Neurology HR at neurology-hr@cuanschutz.edu

Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers.

Screening of Applications Begins:

There is not an immediate urgency to fill this position. The start date for the position will be based on identifying the best individual to fill the role. Applications are accepted electronically at CU Careers. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as HIRING RANGE:

Associate Professor- $200,000 - $242,000

Professor – $220,000 - $300,000

This position is eligible for the department incentive plan which would be in addition to the base salary.

It is anticipated that salary will be commensurate with American Association of Medical College (AAMC) benchmarks for the proposed senior academic rank (Associate Professor or Professor level). Specific salary is commensurate with skills and experience. The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation unless it is non-exempt.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@ucdenver.edu​.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

The University of Colorado has a requirement for COVID-19 vaccinations and full completion thereof by 9/1/21 or upon start date.  Information regarding this requirement, and exemptions can be found at:

Anschutz: https://www.ucdenver.edu/docs/librariesprovider284/default-document-library/3000-general-admission/3012---covid-19-vaccination-requirement-and-compliance.pdf?sfvrsn=4e9df3ba_2

Unit-Specific Exemptions:

• Anschutz Campus – Accommodations may be granted for medical or religious reasons.

The University of Colorado seeks individuals with demonstrated commitment to creating an inclusive learning and working environment. We value the ability to engage effectively with students, faculty and staff of diverse backgrounds.