Wadsworth Center Director -11001

About the role

The Wadsworth Center is New York State’s public health laboratory and a leader in public health, biomedical, and environmental sciences. For more than 125 years, the Center has combined clinical and environmental testing with fundamental and applied health research to protect and promote the health of New Yorkers and contribute to national public health efforts. The Center has played pivotal roles in public health responses at the state and national levels, ranging from the Covid-19 pandemic, botulism in baby formula, mpox outbreaks, and the measles crisis of 2025–2026. The Center’s scientists use classical and contemporary approaches to address biological and environmental threats to human health. Their work includes developing advanced methods to identify biological and chemical threats; studying drug resistance, emerging infections, and environmental exposures; administering the nation’s most comprehensive diagnostic and environmental laboratory testing permit program; and training future scientists through graduate, postdoctoral, and visiting-scientist programs. The Center’s educational mission is strengthened through its partnership with the University at Albany.

The Director serves as the leader of the Wadsworth Center and reports to the Commissioner of Health. Under the Commissioner’s leadership, the Director provides strategic and operational oversight of the Center’s public health response, laboratory, and research activities, advancing the Department of Health’s mission to protect the health and well-being of New York State residents and visitors. The Director leads an internationally recognized institution of approximately 800 staff, including more than 100 doctoral-level scientists.

Responsibilities

• Under the leadership of the Commissioner of Health, provide vision and leadership to help guide the Department of Health’s mission to protect the health and well-being of New York State residents and visitors.
• Establish the Center’s public health, scientific, and research priorities.
• Provide vision and leadership for the Department’s public health mission and the Center’s role in state and national public health response.
• Oversee the funding and management of New York State sponsored public health laboratory activities and related extramural research.
• Recruit, develop, and retain the next generation of public health scientists and advance testing and research programs for current and future public health priorities.
• Expand testing access and capacity; advance new testing platforms and technologies; and strengthen New York State’s public and private laboratory infrastructure.
• Work with state agencies and private-sector partners on a new, state-of-the-art laboratory complex planned to house the Wadsworth Center beginning in 2030.
• Strengthen the Center’s academic research program, external funding, national and international visibility, and recruitment of scientific and postdoctoral staff.
• Lead the partnership with the University at Albany to enhance the Center’s educational mission.
• Collaborate with federal and international partners, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration, and World Health Organization.
• Lead Center staff and develop plans to address public health emergencies.
• Develop a thorough working knowledge of the Wadsworth Center and Department of Health to lead the organization effectively.
• Maintain close communication with Department executive leadership, the Office of Science, the Office of Public Health, and the Health and Executive Chamber.
• Foster effective communication and partnerships with external organizations and stakeholders.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Doctorate in the natural, clinical, or appropriate applied sciences and six years of responsible full-time experience in a leadership capacity in laboratory management or research in an appropriate field; OR a license to practice medicine or veterinary medicine in New York State and five years of responsible full-time experience in an administration capacity in laboratory management or research in an appropriate field. Natural sciences include biology, chemistry, and environmental sciences. Applied sciences include biostatistics and bioinformatics. Applied abstract and theoretical sciences such as math and philosophy will not be considered qualifying.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated work history of progressively responsible scientific management positions in a multi-disciplinary complex clinical or academic institution, of which at least 10 years must have been in a senior leadership capacity.
• Demonstrated history of developing productive state, national and/or international partnerships across disciplines and types of institutions.
• Demonstrated record of scientific publications in peer-reviewed literature.

Benefits

We offer a work-life balance and a generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:

• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
• Shift & Geographic pay differentials
• Affordable Health Care options
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bonds
• And many more

Additional Information

This position may require travel throughout New York State including overnights to areas not served by public transportation.