Director, Artificial Intelligence Initiatives - Research Informatics

Department:

Research Informatics

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Office of the Chief Research Information Officer

Position Title:

Director, Artificial Intelligence Initiatives - Research Informatics

Job Family Group:

Professional Staff

Job Description Summary:

The Director of Artificial Intelligence Initiatives will lead the Enhanced AI Center for Human Focused Research, driving innovation and collaboration in AI research at KUMC, OneKU, and the KU Health System. The role involves providing strategic leadership, securing funding, and ensuring access to advanced computational and cloud infrastructure. By fostering interdisciplinary partnerships and maintaining high standards of ethics and security, the Director will position KUMC as a national leader in AI-driven healthcare solutions.

Job Description:

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Vision: Develop and implement a strategic plan for the AI Center, aligning with the university’s mission and goals. Provide visionary leadership to establish the center as a hub for AI research and innovation.

• Research Support: Facilitate and support cutting-edge AI research across various disciplines. Promote interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships within the university and with external organizations. Encourage the formation of thematic programs of AI research.

• Funding Acquisition: Assist researchers in identifying and securing federal and other funding opportunities. Provide technical expertise to help researchers develop their proposals. Lead a team that furnishes administrative support to facilitate grant submission. Use creative approaches to enhance the center’s funding portfolio.

• High-Performance Computing: Support the provision of high-performance computing resources and infrastructure to support AI research. Ensure the availability and accessibility of state-of-the-art computing facilities for researchers.

• Cloud Infrastructure Development: Facilitate the continued development and implementation of cloud infrastructure to support scalable and flexible AI research. Ensure robust, secure, and efficient cloud-based solutions are available for researchers. Build hybrid cloud resources to control costs while improving governance.

• Security and Ethics: Responsible for providing leadership to ensure the protection and security of critical assets and capabilities of the AI Center. Ensure the ethical and responsible use of data and capabilities as a central guiding principle.

• Outreach and Collaboration: Build and maintain relationships with industry partners, government agencies, and other academic institutions. Represent the center at conferences, workshops, and other professional events.

• Administration and Management: Manage the center’s budget, personnel, and resources. Ensure compliance with university policies and regulations. Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment.

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in computer science, data science, artificial intelligence, or a related field. Education may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis. Experience used to substitute education is in addition to any required work experience.            

Work Experience:

• Minimum five (5) years of experience in leadership or management of AI-focused projects.

• Experience with high-performance computing, cloud infrastructure, and data systems integration.

• Minimum three (3) years’ experience as a manager of employees.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Doctorate degree in computer science, data science, artificial intelligence, or a related field.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Certifications in project management (e.g., PMP)

• Cloud technologies (e.g., Databricks Generative AI Engineer or Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400))

Work Experience:

• Minimum eight (8) years of experience in managing large-scale interdisciplinary AI research initiatives.

• Experience securing federal funding and collaborating with government agencies, industry partners, and academic institutions.

Skills

• Advanced proficiency in AI algorithms and technologies.

• Proficient in project management.

• Proficient in team leadership and management skills.

• Advanced knowledge of cloud infrastructure and data security.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Expert-level proficiency in system integration and scalable cloud solutions.

• Advanced grant writing and funding strategy skills.

• Proficiency in ethical AI frameworks and standards.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and build partnerships with external stakeholders.

• Able to adapt to fast and slow pace of AI, healthcare, and academic setting.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. It is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, duties, and assignments. Furthermore, job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Documents

Resume

Cover Letter

If selected as a final candidate for this position, you may be required to complete the Association of American of Universities Representations and Warranties document and sign a release of records that will allow the University of Kansas Medical Center to conduct a further background check with former employers.  A copy of the Representations and Warranties document can be found here.

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

Coverage begins on day one for health, dental, and vision insurance and includes health expense accounts with generous employer contributions if the employee participates in a qualifying health plan. Employer-paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and various additional voluntary insurance plans are available. Paid time off, including vacation and sick, begins accruing upon hire, plus ten paid holidays. One paid discretionary day is available after six months of employment, and paid time off for bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave is available after 12 months of employment. A retirement program with a generous employer contribution and additional voluntary retirement programs (457 or 403b) are available. https://www.kumc.edu/human-resources/benefits.html

Employee Type:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Rate Type:

Salary

Compensation Statement:

The pay range listed for this position is determined by our compensation program using market data and salary benchmarking. A combination of factors is considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, education, experience and training, qualifications relative to the requirements of the position, and funding. At the University of Kansas Medical Center, a reasonable estimate for the starting pay range will be the minimum to midpoint of the posted range, taking into account the combination of factors listed above. 

Pay Range:

$130,000.00 - $214,000.00

Minimum

$130,000.00

Midpoint

$172,000.00

Maximum

$214,000.00