The Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a distinguished investigator at the level of Full Professor to be the founding director of the Texas Institute for Therapeutic Neurotechnology (TITAN). The Dell Medical School, Cockrell School of Engineering, College of Natural Sciences, and College of Pharmacy at the University of Texas are committed to creating this new interdisciplinary institute for advancing translational and clinical neurosciences and neuroengineering.

The Texas Institute for Therapeutic Neurotechnology (TITAN) will be a unique interdisciplinary research, educational, and therapeutic initiative focused on transforming the clinical neurosciences through the development and application of therapeutic neuroengineering methods (both implanted and non-invasive), grounded in electroceuticals, informed by contemporary advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning, and scaled by the remarkable computing resources of the University of Texas. TITAN will inform patient care even as it advances the frontier of innovation in and commercial development of technologies, diagnostics, drugs, and devices.

The institute’s founding director will be tasked with establishing and steering the nation's leading neurotechnology institute. Success in this inaugural role involves securing diverse funding streams—from federal and state sources to foundation, donor, and corporate partnerships—while also collaborating with the university's Discovery to Impact office to protect intellectual property, support spinout companies, and develop strategic licensing agreements.

The executive sponsors of this initiative seek a leader whose research program combines computational, engineering, and other quantitative and technological methods for solving problems that will have therapeutic impact in medicine. Examples include, but are not limited to, implantable bioelectronic systems and electroceuticals, nanomaterials for biosensing and stimulation, brain-computer interfaces, neuromodulation technologies with optical, ultrasound, electro-magnetic and precision drug-delivery systems, and advanced medical imaging and theranostics. Expertise in fundamental and applied machine learning and artificial intelligence for advancing clinical medicine is of particular interest.

The Director should be a confident entrepreneur and risk-taker with the ability to define TITAN’s path forward in terms of priorities, strategic partnerships, and business model, attracting people and resources to advance its pioneering work and positioning it in synergistic relationships across UT Austin and with Austin’s growing neurotechnology sector.

Competencies and Qualifications

• MD and/or PhD from a quantitative science or engineering discipline

• Outstanding record of research, teaching, and service accomplishments at the full professor rank, with tenure, and mentoring trainees in science, engineering, and/or medicine

• Experience leading research teams across multiple disciplines. Track record of sustained extramural and federal research funding such as NIH (P01, P30, P50, U01, R01, R54, SBIR/STTR), ARPA-H, NSF (STC), etc.

• Experience attracting investment with local, regional and national biotech partners

To Apply

The University of Texas at Austin has retained Opus Partners to support this recruitment. Craig Smith, Senior Partner, Kenna Boyd, Associate Partner, and Abigail Maynard, Managing Associate, are leading the search. Confidential inquiries and nominations should be submitted by email to Abigail Maynard at Abigail.maynard@opuspartners.net. Required application materials include a CV and cover letter that addresses the responsibilities and qualifications of the role. The search process will unfold with the greatest possible attention to candidate confidentiality.

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The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The university is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities and admissions.