The Associate Director will be a cornerstone of the University of Minnesota's mission to become a preeminent national leader in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) research and care. This executive leadership role is designed for a visionary scientific leader tasked with bridging the gap between rigorous biomarker research and community-led health equity initiatives.

The Associate Director will focus on building robust research infrastructure, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations across UMN campuses and departments, and securing high-level federal funding-specifically leading the strategic development of an NIA-designated Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC).

Job Responsibilities/Duties:
1. Strategic Leadership & ADRC Development
• Partner with the Center Director to define the scientific trajectory of the Grossman Center.
• Serve as the primary architect for the University's NIA-designated ADRC application, ensuring the proposal meets federal standards for rigor, feasibility, and distinctiveness.
• Leverage expertise in "recruitment science" to shift institutional practices toward inclusive, culturally safe dementia research.

2. Health Equity & Community Partnerships
• Lead the expansion of community-based research initiatives with a focus on American Indian health, rural populations, and underrepresented urban groups.
• Strengthen and formalize partnerships with Minnesota's tribal communities, ensuring principles of Indigenous data sovereignty are upheld.
• Act as a high-level liaison between the Twin Cities and Duluth campuses, specifically collaborating with the Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team.

3. Interdisciplinary Collaboration
• Integrate Grossman Center initiatives with the Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation (School of Public Health) and the Center of Geroscience and Healthy Aging (Department of Family Medicine).
• Synthesize ongoing projects-such as the Asian American Brain Health and Aging Cohort-into a unified, center-wide strategy for health equity.

4. Mentorship & Training Excellence
• Establish and oversee a formalized training program to address the provider shortage in rural and underserved areas.
• Provide direct mentorship to a diverse pipeline of researchers, including undergraduates, doctoral students, post-docs, and junior faculty.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
• PhD in Neuro-psychology or related field
• Clinical Expertise: A background in clinical neuropsychology and a deep understanding of ADRD pathology.
• Proven Funding Track Record: Success as a Principal Investigator on major NIH (R01) initiatives and experience with NIA-designated ADRC structures.
• Community Authority: Demonstrated success in co-developing culturally grounded assessment tools (e.g., AMICA) and leading large-scale studies in Black and Indigenous communities (e.g., AA-FAIM).
• Administrative Acumen: Experience serving on External Advisory Boards for top-tier research institutions (e.g., Stanford, UW, UNM).

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $55,000-$235,000 ; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail [email protected] or call (612) 624-8647.