Institute on Healthcare Systems Seeks Director

The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University is seeking candidates for the position of Director of the Institute on Healthcare Systems. The Director will hold the academic title of Full Professor, either Tenured or non-Tenured. The successful candidate must hold a doctorate degree (or the equivalent) in a relevant field. We are seeking a dynamic individual who has a strong interest and experience in leading a successful group of researchers that focus on linking health care research to policy.

The Institute on Healthcare Systems’ current research and policy studies spans six core competency areas: financing, organization, value of health services, quality, high cost and high risk populations, and technology. We expect that the successful candidate will have research and policy expertise that will fit within one or more of these core competencies.

This Institute’s average annual research budget is currently between $5-7 million. About 65 percent of the funding comes from government agencies; foundations account for about 20 percent and private organizations the remaining 15%. The two major federal funding agencies are the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Since its inception in 1978, the Institute has been actively conducting CMS policy research; currently it is one of health services research organizations eligible to compete for CMS’ Medicare and Medicaid Research and Demonstration (MRAD) contracts. In addition to its work oriented to the United States, the Institute on Healthcare Systems has a growing portfolio of international projects devoted to research, policy advice, and technical assistance, mostly in developing countries.

The Institute on Healthcare Systems and the Institute for Behavioral Health are the two Institutes that currently comprise The Schneider Institutes for Health Policy, whose Executive Director is Professor Stanley Wallack. A five-person executive committee, chaired by the Executive Director and including the Directors of the two Institutes, will be responsible for setting strategic direction and for allocating the annual income derived from the sizeable endowment of the Schneider Institutes.

The Director is responsible for managing and enhancing the research activities of the Institute while maintaining its national and international reputation. The Director should collaborate with the Director of the Institute for Behavioral Health to continue to create synergies across the two component institutes of the Schneider Institutes. Where appropriate, the Director should also seek to collaborate with the other research entities at The Heller School in building studies that cross the boundaries of health, assets and income and economic development.

The Schneider Institutes is also the base for health services education within the Heller School: the Institutes’ faculty and research staff teach in the masters and doctoral programs at The Heller School.  The Institute on Healthcare Systems houses a pre-doctoral training program funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).  The research projects of the Institute on Healthcare Systems have provided an excellent learning opportunity for our graduate students. Finally, the Institute Directors have shared oversight responsibility for the educational programs in the Health and Behavioral Health Concentration of the Heller doctoral program.

The ideal candidate will possess the following attributes:

• Be recognized nationally as a leading health services researcher, as evidenced by a substantial publishing record in peer reviewed journals and strong reputation with leading policymakers in the public and private sector.
• Have a broad vision of health services research as evidenced by a long history of receiving grant and contract support from government agencies, foundations and private organizations and an appreciation of the numerous factors that impact the development of public policies and the implementation of the policies by the private sector.
• Though not required expertise and experience in working on health systems issues in other countries, particularly low and middle income, is desirable.
• Possess the leadership skills necessary to attract, manage, and mentor qualified researchers and maintain a broad portfolio of projects on health care services and international health.
• Have a Ph.D., MD, or comparable degree and at least 15 years of experience in health services research. The individual should be committed to interdisciplinary research and team building.
• Have previous management experience with a health service research entity or large, multi-year research project. The desired individual should have current research projects and a track record in conducting a wide-range of studies that are focused on major health policy research issues.
• Experience in teaching and mentoring doctoral students is desirable but not required.

Candidates should send a letter of application, Curriculum Vitae, names and addresses of three references, and at least three samples of published work. We will begin reviewing applications on October 15, 2006, though applications will be considered until the post is filled. Brandeis is an Equal Opportunity employer, committed to building a culturally diverse intellectual community, and strongly encourages applications from women and minorities. Send applications to Professor Stanley Wallack, Chair, Search Committee for Director of the Institute on Healthcare Systems, MS 035, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454-9110.