Director, Pediatric Tissue Engineering

Medical College of Wisconsin, Children’s Research Institute, and Herma Heart Institute

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), Children’s Research Institute (CRI) and the Herma Heart Institute (HHI) at Children’s Wisconsin (CW) together are seeking a MD, PhD, or MD/PhD leader in the field of pediatric tissue engineering with a strong interest to develop collaborative and translational programs across child health clinical disciplines, including congenital heart disease. The appointment is anticipated at the Professor level.

This individual will serve as the Director of Pediatric Tissue Engineering, leading a team of multidisciplinary and translational research groups, and mentoring the next generation of researchers within the CRI and HHI.  In addition, the Director will establish and sustain a robust, extramurally funded tissue engineering research program with a focus on developing clinical applications to improve childhood diseases, including congenital heart disease, trachea reconstruction and bone and intestinal replacement. Potential applications of tissue engineering approaches include, but are not limited to combining cell therapy, stem cell engineering, hard-tissue engineering, and 3D bioprinting and/or biomaterials with the intent of applying to appropriate model systems and progression towards clinical trials. The successful candidate will join a nationally acclaimed Quality, Outcomes, and Research program which boasts a competitive research portfolio with significant active extramural and private funding, associated quality impactful publications, and continued presence in national arenas related to pediatric disease.

To execute existing innovation, the CRI is seeking the recruitment of a national leader in the field of tissue engineering to lead a team towards the development of innovative groundbreaking in situ engineering treatment for pediatric patients. The goal is to have this individual lead teams of researchers within the CRI and HHI in establishing a robust, extramurally funded tissue engineering research program with a focus on clinical trial development.

Opportunities for tissue engineering development align with existing clinical and research excellence. Pertinent to congenital heart disease, the HHI leads a highly reputable basic translational and clinical research program with a focus on single ventricle disease, valvular abnormalities, and vascular anomalies. In taking a precision medicine approach, the HHI has developed a superior patient-specific cord blood, iPSC, stem cell biorepository and tissue bank, that aligns with accessible clinical data platforms and registries.  The HHI, along with biomedical engineering, boasts a dynamic visualization program that encompasses patient-specific 3D printing/bioprinting for cardiothoracic-based research and clinical applications.  Significant efforts are also underway advancing the field of intestinal replacement and cleft palate repair, which are largely supported by innovative research teams developing organoid systems and animal models to delineate cellular and molecular mechanisms of development, disease, and regeneration in these areas.

Herma Heart Institute (HHI)

The Herma Heart Institute (HHI) at Children’s Wisconsin (CW) is the largest pediatric cardiac care center in the state and highly ranked for its advancements in understanding and treating congenital heart disease, particularly complex single ventricle lesions. The HHI provides elite care for patients with congenital heart disease prenatally though adulthood, and as innovators, continue to challenge the standard of care through new treatment strategies. In partnership with our cutting-edge clinical pediatric cardiac care program, the HHI is committed to research and innovation and is paving the way for groundbreaking advancements in the etiology of congenital heart disease through external- and internal-funded basic science, clinical outcomes, and translational research. Together, the integrated and multi-disciplinary team are positively improving the lives of affected children and their families in the state of Wisconsin, and beyond.  The Herma Heart Institute is striving to find new treatments, improve the care of our patients and ultimately discover the cause of congenital heart disease so it can be eradicated.  We have been a world leader in defining current and future strategies to improve the health and survival of these children. With our high volume and excellent surgical outcomes together with strong cardiovascular research facilities, we are uniquely poised to advance our Quality, Outcomes, and Research (QOR) program.

Children’s Research Institute (CRI)

As a children’s hospital in an academic medical center, research is interwoven into the care we provide every day.  Children’s allocates a portion of its annual budget to pediatric research to stimulate research activity which is focused solely on improving child health outcomes.  This research is focused on improving diagnostics, discovering, and testing new therapies, and improving the way we prevent and manage some of the most complex medical conditions.  Physician-scientists, nurse-scientists, researchers, and technicians at the Children’s Research Institute (CRI) seek answers to the toughest questions in pediatric medicine. This innovative culture helps to attract and retain the best and brightest minds to our organization.  Since its inception in 2003, CRI has grown to include more than 150 researchers spanning all diagnostic, medical, and surgical specialties. Together they form the largest concentration of 100% pediatric research in Wisconsin.

Children’s Research Institute provides infrastructure and financial support for pediatric researchers conducting child health research.  CRI’s academic partners include the Medical College of Wisconsin, UW-Milwaukee, and Marquette University. Types of support include the following:

• Supplemental Grant Support for Early-Stage Investigators
• Competitive Pilot Grants to help investigators test new ideas
• Shared services, including a pediatric translational research unit staffed by pediatric nurses trained on the complexities of regulated clinical research
• Dedicated laboratory space for pediatric researchers

Children’s engages in several national research partnerships with other children’s hospitals including Children’s Oncology Group (COG), Pediatric Heart Network (PHN), Midwest Pediatric Surgical Consortium, and Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PeCARN).  Children’s support of pediatric research is ~$16-17 million annually inclusive of philanthropy and overhead.  Much of Children’s philanthropic support for research is targeted to specific diseases.  The areas with the most significant donor support of research include pediatric cancer, congenital heart disease, and juvenile diabetes.  A recent gift will open new opportunity in mental and behavioral health research.

Children’s Wisconsin (CW) and Children’s Specialty Group (CSG)

Children’s Wisconsin is the state’s only independent health care system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. With more than 1.3 million annual connections with kids and families statewide, Children’s provides a wide range of care and support — everything from routine care to lifesaving advances and treatment options, foster care and adoption services, child advocacy, and provides an insurance plan. In addition to its reputation for providing the highest quality patient care, Children’s has also been recognized as an employer and community partner, including as a top workplace by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.  Children’s and its joint venture with the Medical College of Wisconsin – the Children’s Specialty Group - are the largest providers of pediatric healthcare in the state, serving the children and families of Wisconsin with the highest level of care through their American College of Surgeons Level I Children’s Surgery Verification Center, Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence, 72-bed Level IV NICU, Level IV Epilepsy Center, and a 72-bed PICU.

MCW & Marquette University Joint Department of Bioengineering

The Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering brings together the renowned engineering education and research of Marquette University and the innovative medical research and clinical practice of the Medical College of Wisconsin. This partnership provides an extraordinary foundation for those aspiring to join the next generation of biomedical engineers, scientists, and physicians. Designed to facilitate the transfer of new knowledge into innovations directly impacting patient care, and featuring greater than 20 dedicated laboratories, along with clinical partners such as Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin, Children’s Wisconsin, Zablocki VA Medical Center, and Froedtert Hospital—the Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering supports student education with a rigorous research practice that offers a dynamic range of novel opportunities for the world's next generation of biomedical engineers.

Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW)

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is a private, health sciences university dedicated to leadership and excellence in academic medicine.  At the core of everything we do at the MCW is the pursuit of new knowledge and the power of academic medicine. Bringing together the world’s top scientists and clinicians, inspired students, and invested communities, we are driven to solve the most complex challenges in health and society. MCW is home to a diverse group of thought leaders collaborating to build a healthier world and a continuous cycle of life-changing knowledge. 

In 2022, MCW has approximately 1,540 students in Medical School, Graduate, and Pharmacy Schools. There are more than 900 physicians in residency training and fellowship training.  MCW is the largest private research institution in Wisconsin.  MCW is committed to multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research, and supports several Centers and Institutes, including an NIH-funded Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Cancer Center, Cardiovascular Research Center, Center for Advancing Population Health, Center for International Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Immunology Center, Genomics and Precision Medicine Center, Neuroscience Center, Trauma Center, and the Kern Institute for Transformation of Medical Education.   Approximately 5,385 faculty and staff work on the beautiful campus of the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center which also houses Froedtert Hospital, Children’s Hospital and Health System, Curative Care, Blood Research Institute of Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin and the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division.  These entities share a common mission of excellence in patient care, medical education, biomedical research, and community service.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee, the largest city in Wisconsin, is located on Lake Michigan’s western shore. A metropolitan area with more than 1.5 million people, Milwaukee is an affordable, comfortable place to live, work, and play, big enough to be exciting and uncongested enough to get around easily. Milwaukee’s many neighborhoods have incredible charm, accommodating a variety of lifestyles, from high-rise apartments to small farms.  Nestled along a magnificent bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, Milwaukee’s downtown is home to botanical gardens, a superlative symphony orchestra, museums, a ballet company, a theater district, the world champion Milwaukee Bucks, the Milwaukee Brewers, and many fine restaurants. The lake and its harbors are skirted by scenic parklands and provide first-class opportunities for recreation. A recent study ranked Milwaukee as the 15th most walkable of the 50 largest US cities. Milwaukee County is also known for its “Grand Necklace of Parks” totaling more than 140, which offer hiking, picnic facilities, cross country skiing, and ice skating. 

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

MCW and Children’s Wisconsin are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace that includes individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences.  We believe that embracing human differences is critical to realize our vision of a healthier world, and we recognize that a healthy and thriving community starts from within.  We strive to integrate our human and social differences into our functioning, strategies and culture to create a diverse and equitable workplace.  If you believe embracing individuality and working together makes us stronger, then MCW is the place for you.  People of color, women, LGBTQIA+, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  MCW is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We are committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status.  

Procedure for Candidacy

Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

All interactions will remain confidential, and no inquiries will be made without the consent of the applicant.  Nominations and applications, including current curriculum vitae and a cover letter stating qualifications and reasons for interest in the role, may be submitted to:

Kelli Cameron, M.S., SHRM-SCP, Senior Director of Faculty Recruitment, at kacameron@mcw.edu

Candidate Qualifications

• The qualifications, preferred experience/knowledge/skills for this leadership role includes the following:
• MD, MD/PhD, PhD, or equivalent degree required.
• Independent extramurally funded research program or recent history of strong funding portfolio in pediatric clinical outcomes research or related field. Experience in congenital heart disease is preferred, but not essential.
• Experience in biomaterial development, cell therapy, stem cell engineering, 3D-bioprinting, organoid development, etc. that will accelerate translation towards clinical trials and practice is encouraged.
• Ability to establish an internationally recognized research program that emphasizes trans-disciplinary collaboration between scientists, clinician investigators and clinicians within the departments as well as in relevant clinical and basic science departments and centers from across the institution.
• Desire and skill set to advance existing strengths in regenerative medicine is preferred, but all relevant areas of basic and particularly translational research in tissue engineering will be considered.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing a team of research professionals who manage multiple projects at varying stages of development under time pressure.
• Demonstrated national or international reputation.
• Exhibits guiding behaviors that reflect Children’s values and support our mission and vision.
• Ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, enthusiasm, and diplomacy in a team environment with other dedicated professionals in a rapidly advancing work environment.