Medical Director, Emory Autism Center

About the role

The Emory Autism Center (EAC) is seeking a visionary physician leader to serve as Medical Director and drive the next phase of growth for one of the Southeast's premier autism service and research centers.

Responsibilities

• Strategic clinical leadership for psychiatric and medical services across the center's programs, with a focus on expanding access to integrated care for autistic adults and young adults.
• Establish and implement innovative mental health protocols.
• Recruit, mentor, and retain top clinical talent, particularly psychiatrists and advanced practice providers, in partnership with the center's multidisciplinary leadership team.
• Contribute to the center's growing training mission — which spans psychiatry residents, child and adolescent psychiatry fellows, psychology interns and postdoctoral fellows, and behavior analysts — by providing medical education leadership and mentorship within a broader interdisciplinary training framework.
• Contribute to the center's research mission through clinical investigation, outcomes measurement, and scholarly activity.
• Represent EAC locally and nationally, advancing its visibility and reputation among peer institutions, funders, and professional communities.
• Collaborate with center leadership on strategic planning, program development, and sustainability efforts.

Qualifications

• MD or DO with board certification in psychiatry; additional board certification in child and adolescent psychiatry strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of post-training clinical experience with demonstrated expertise in autism and co-occurring mental health conditions.
• Track record of clinical leadership, program development, or administrative responsibility in an academic or large clinical setting.
• Eligible for appointment at the Associate Professor or Professor level at Emory University School of Medicine.
• Active Georgia medical license or eligibility for licensure.
• Preferred: Experience developing or directing multidisciplinary clinical programs serving autistic individuals; Established research portfolio in autism, neurodevelopmental conditions, or related mental health areas; Experience with training program development, graduate medical education, or accreditation processes (e.g., APA, ACGME); Familiarity with integrated care models that bridge psychiatric, behavioral, and psychosocial services; Consideration will also be given to candidates with primary training in developmental pediatrics or a related specialty who bring substantial expertise in young adult mental health and clinical leadership.

What We Offer

• A senior leadership role with meaningful autonomy and institutional support to build something distinctive.
• Dedicated philanthropic startup funding to support recruitment, program development, and the transition to a sustainable operating model.
• Competitive salary and benefits commensurate with rank and experience through Emory University.
• An established, collaborative interdisciplinary team and operational infrastructure.
• Access to Emory's research ecosystem, including collaborative opportunities across the School of Medicine, Rollins School of Public Health, and affiliated health system.
• A neurodiversity-affirming clinical culture that centers the experiences and self-determination of autistic individuals.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a curriculum vitae and a statement of clinical and leadership vision to Miche’l Jones, EAC Operations Director, michel.jones@emory.edu. Review of applications will begin May 15 and continue until the position is filled.