Leukemia/Lymphoma Physician Scientist - Open Rank

• University of Colorado Anschutz
• Department: Pediatrics – Hematology/Oncology
• Job Title: Leukemia/Lymphoma Physician Scientist
• Position #: 00722321 – Requisition #:41386

Job Summary

The Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology seeks an innovative physician-scientist to establish and lead an independent laboratory-based research program focused on pediatric leukemia and/or lymphoma. This position is intended for an early- or mid-career investigator with a strong commitment to basic or translational research that advances understanding of leukemia/lymphoma biology and accelerates development of novel therapeutic approaches.

The successful candidate will devote approximately 80%25 effort to research and 20%25 effort to clinical care. As an integral member of the Leukemia/Lymphoma Program, the faculty member will serve as a critical bridge between clinical and laboratory research initiatives, translating clinically relevant questions into impactful scientific investigations while advancing discoveries toward improved outcomes for children and adolescents with leukemia and lymphoma.

The successful candidate will join a nationally recognized pediatric Leukemia/Lymphoma program with a robust clinical research footprint including substantial participation and leadership in Children's Oncology Group (COG) and Therapeutic Advances in Childhood Leukemia (TACL) clinical trials. The position provides opportunities for collaboration with established investigators across leukemia biology, cellular therapy, immunotherapy, precision medicine, and regenerative medicine programs.

Key Responsibilities

Research Responsibilities (80%25)

Develop and lead an independent, innovative, and externally funded laboratory-based research program focused on pediatric leukemia and/or lymphoma.

Conduct basic and/or translational research related to leukemia biology, disease progression, therapeutic resistance, or novel treatment development.

Pursue and secure extramural funding through federal agencies, foundations, industry partnerships, and philanthropic support.

• Publish research findings in high-impact, peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Present research at regional, national, and international scientific meetings.
• Establish productive collaborations with investigators across the University Cancer Center, the Gates Institute, and other campus research initiatives.
• Contribute to the development of institutional leukemia research priorities and strategic initiatives.
• Mentor graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, trainees, residents, fellows, and junior faculty members.
• Participate in departmental, divisional, institutional, and national academic activities as appropriate.
• Clinical Responsibilities (20%25)
• Provide approximately four weeks of inpatient oncology service annually, including chemotherapy service and shared call coverage.
• Maintain an outpatient leukemia clinic practice averaging approximately one clinic session every other week.
• Participate in procedure clinics as needed.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary patient care conferences and leukemia/lymphoma disease-specific initiatives.
• Support clinical and translational research activities through collaboration with clinical trial and disease-focused teams.
• Evidence of successful grant funding or strong potential to obtain independent extramural funding.
• Experience leading or contributing to translational research studies that bridge laboratory discovery and clinical application.
• Demonstrated commitment to mentorship, education, and trainee development.
• Experience collaborating across disciplines within academic research environments.

Interest in leveraging institutional strengths in immunotherapy, cellular therapeutics, regenerative medicine, and precision oncology.

Work Location: Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, CO at the Anschutz Medical Campus.

Why Join Us

The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Hospital Colorado is one of the leading pediatric oncology, hematology, blood and marrow transplant and cellular therapy programs in the country. Our center is consistently ranked among the top pediatric hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and the Department of Pediatrics, was ranked No. 7 in the nation for “Best Medical Schools – Pediatrics” in U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 rankings.

Why Work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10%25 of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year (based on percentage of time)
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 11/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service
• There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

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

Assistant Professor

• MD, DO, MD/PhD, or equivalent medical degree.
• Completion of an accredited Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellowship.
• Board certified or board eligible in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.
• Eligible for Colorado medical licensure and DEA registration.
• Demonstrated record of scholarly achievement, including peer-reviewed publications in pediatric leukemia, lymphoma, cancer biology, immunology, cellular therapy, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience conducting basic, translational, or laboratory-based research.

Associate Professor

• Current or prior federal peer-reviewed funding or major foundation support.
• An established independent research program with evidence of sustained scholarly productivity and extramural funding.
• Leadership roles in cooperative groups, multicenter research initiatives, disease-specific programs, or national scientific organizations.
• Demonstrated success translating laboratory discoveries into clinically impactful applications.
• Track record of sustained mentorship of fellows, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty.
• Experience leading interdisciplinary research teams and contributing to institutional strategic initiatives.
• Established collaborations within cancer centers, translational science institutes, cellular therapy programs, or transplantation programs.

Condition of Employment

• Must successfully pass a drug test through Children’s Hospital Colorado
• Must be willing and able to pass a national criminal background check

*For questions regarding Children’s Hospital drug testing requirements, please contact Children’s Human Resources at 720-777-8598. Some positions may require testing if access to Children’s Hospital or their systems is needed at any time during employment with the University. If drug testing is required, it will be listed in the job posting.

Preferred Qualifications

Assistant Professor

• Advanced research training through a postdoctoral fellowship, physician-scientist training program, K-award, institutional career development program, or equivalent protected research experience.
• Demonstrate strong potential to establish an independent research program.
• Prior success obtaining pilot, foundation, society, institutional, industry-sponsored, or federal research funding.
• Evidence of translational research that bridges laboratory discovery and clinical application.
• Experience mentoring students, residents, fellows, or research trainees.
• Demonstrated collaborative work with multidisciplinary research teams.
• Interest in developing innovative research programs aligned with institutional strengths

Associate Professor

• Current or prior federal peer-reviewed funding or major foundation support.
• An established independent research program with evidence of sustained scholarly productivity and extramural funding.
• Leadership roles in cooperative groups, multicenter research initiatives, disease-specific programs, or national scientific organizations.
• Demonstrated success translating laboratory discoveries into clinically impactful applications.
• Track record of sustained mentorship of fellows, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty.
• Experience leading interdisciplinary research teams and contributing to institutional strategic initiatives.
• Established collaborations within cancer centers, translational science institutes, cellular therapy programs, or transplantation programs.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated knowledge of pediatric hematology/oncology, leukemia biology, cancer genetics, immunology, and translational research methodologies.

Ability to develop, lead, and sustain an independent laboratory-based research program focused on leukemia and related hematologic malignancies.

Strong scientific writing and communication skills, including the ability to prepare peer-reviewed publications, grant applications, presentations, and other scholarly works.

Ability to secure and manage extramural funding from federal agencies, foundations, industry, and philanthropic sources.

Expertise in experimental design, data analysis, scientific rigor, and the conduct of high-quality laboratory and translational research.

Ability to translate clinically relevant questions into innovative research studies that advance scientific knowledge and patient care.

Demonstrated ability to establish productive interdisciplinary collaborations with clinical, translational, and basic science investigators.

Effective mentoring, teaching, and leadership skills with the ability to support the professi