Director - Core Research Laboratories

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact and strategic liaison between KUMC Core Lab Directors, One KU leadership, and KU Offices of Research.
• Provide direct supervision and leadership to KUMC Core Lab Directors.
• Co-develop and implement aligned operational standards, service levels, and procedures across One KU core laboratories, informed by leading CRO and peer-institution best practices while remaining consistent with KU policies and academic mission.
• Facilitate collaboration among KUMC Core Lab Managers and researchers to ensure high service quality, efficient access, and consistent user experience.
• Advance the One KU research mission through coordinated core laboratory strategy and operations.
• Guide facility and service enhancements that elevate KU’s visibility and competitiveness as a leading research institution nationally and globally.
• Collaborate with campus partners to plan and execute core laboratory upgrades, renovations, and capital projects.
• Assess infrastructure needs and develop long-term strategies for space utilization, equipment investment, and service optimization.
• Support emergency preparedness, continuity planning, and risk mitigation for KUMC core laboratory facilities.
• Partner with Research Finance to evaluate core laboratory financial performance, including revenue trends, cost drivers, utilization, and long-term sustainability, using standardized metrics and reporting.
• Contribute to the development and application of transparent policies, metrics, and reporting related to rate setting, subsidies, and financial performance.
• Develop strategies to responsibly expand core lab services.
• Coordinate with Core Lab Managers, Facilities, and KU Operations leadership to address financial challenges and evolving ROI considerations.
• Co-lead standardization and differentiation decisions across One KU core laboratories in partnership with the KU Lawrence Core Director.
• Encourage and/or lead strategic collaborations with industry partners.

Institutional Leadership and Special Initiatives

• Participate in Office of Research strategic initiatives and cross-functional projects.
• Aid in budget planning, resource allocation, and institutional decision-making related to core research infrastructure.
• Create and maintain efficient onboarding and sunsetting processes for core laboratories.
• Maintain a comprehensive inventory of the KUMC Core Labs research equipment and co-house this inventory with the KU Lawrence Core Labs research equipment inventory.
• Support acquisition, monitoring, utilization, maintenance, transfer, and disposal of research equipment in coordination with campus partners.
• Develop organizational staffing plans and ensure that employees with the appropriate experience and skills are hired, onboarded, trained, supervised, have individual goals and development plans; Conducts annual performance evaluations and where necessary implement appropriate employee discipline.
• Ensure area employees conduct activities in a professional and ethical manner, and in accordance with KUMC Policies and applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations.
• Ensure all work performed by employees in the area is done in a safe and secure manner.
• Direct coordination of area work with other areas of KUMC to ensure integration and support of KUMC goals and objectives.
• Maintain personal level of subject matter expertise necessary to ensure the area activities are carried out on a best practices basis.
• Participate in and/or lead appropriate committees, task force, or other similar activities assuring optimal resource utilization.
• Ensure that necessary electronic data collection, storage and retrieval systems are implemented and used by area personnel in an appropriate fashion.
• Ensure that the area maintains any certifications desired by KUMC to further promote quality education and research.
• Ensure the confidentiality of medical center, employee, and patient information. Handle sensitive data with discretion and in accordance with KUMC policies and legal requirements.
• Maintain the highest standards of integrity, respect, professional conduct, and ethical standards.