Position Description

The University of Louisville seeks an inaugural Director of the Advanced Human-Relevant Technologies (AHRT) Core, a new core facility organized within UofL’s Office of Research and Innovation. The AHRT Core will focus on facilitating researchers’ success with organoids and other advanced human-relevant research technologies, commonly referred to as New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). The AHRT Core will launch with strong institutional commitment, dedicated resources, and a multi-year operational runway – a well-supported opportunity to make a lasting impact on UofL’s biomedical research enterprise. The position is currently funded by a philanthropic gift supporting the launch and operations of the AHRT Core. Responsibilities span scientific operations, service development, faculty engagement, workforce management, financial oversight, and long-term strategic growth of the core.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the launch and operations of the AHRT Core, in collaboration with the Senior Director of Strategic Research Infrastructure and the AHRT Core Advisory Committee.

• Interface with university research leadership as a member of the Louisville Research Core program.

• Establish core services, Standard Operating Procedures, and workflows.

• Develop, validate, and troubleshoot the core’s protocols and assays at the bench.

• Hire, train, and manage core personnel; direct project prioritization; and ensure excellent relations with core users.

• Deliver and oversee AHRT Core scientific operations, including organoid generation and distribution, cell-based assay development and screening, and custom media manufacturing and distribution.

• Proactive network across campus to build awareness of AHRT capabilities and cultivate a broad user community, particularly during the early phase of core operations.

• Support development of a tissue procurement pipeline in collaboration with clinicians, pathology, IRB, and research compliance.

• Consult with investigators on human-relevant model systems and NAMs; provide support for investigators’ NIH and other grant applications.

• Train researchers on AHRT technologies; play a leadership role in preparing the next generation of biomedical researchers at UofL, including graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, through workshops, seminars, and hands-on training programs.

• Lead the core’s adaptation to emerging NAMs technologies in line with faculty research needs, including but not limited to organs-on-a-chip and other micro physiological systems.

• Collaborate with relevant units to integrate computational modeling and AI-assisted NAMs approaches with the AHRT Core’s experimental capabilities.

• Manage the core’s financial operations (e.g., cost analysis, rate development, usage tracking) and implement the university’s core facility management software, in collaboration with the Office of Research and Innovation.

• Seek federal and other funding opportunities to support AHRT Core operations.

• Build and maintain relationships with peer institutions, national facilities, and technology partners to facilitate researcher access to specialized capabilities beyond those available on campus.

Competencies

• Self-Starter – takes initiative, builds relationships, and drives the core forward without waiting to be directed.

• Adaptability – adjusts priorities and approaches as needs, technologies, and the research landscape evolve.

• Project Management – organized and task-oriented; able to manage multiple concurrent projects, delegate effectively, and follow through to completion.

• Service Excellence – responsive and user-focused; provides timely, accurate, high-quality support to the research community.

• Analytical – evaluates scientific and operational data to make informed decisions and recommendations.

• Communication – articulates complex concepts clearly to diverse audiences; effective in written and oral scientific communication.

• Interpersonal – builds effective working relationships with researchers, staff, administrators, and external partners through trust and credibility.

• Leadership – motivates and mentors' staff; fosters a collegial and productive team environment. 

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field and eight (8) years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Grade 11 (Salaried)

Preferred Qualifications

Candidates are not expected to meet every preferred qualification – we welcome applicants who bring a strong combination of the following:

• Ph.D. in biomedical sciences, bioengineering, or a related field.

• Three (3) or more years of hands-on experience with advanced 3D in vitro human models (e.g., human tissue-derived organoids, pluripotent stem cell-derived systems) and related laboratory techniques (e.g., directed differentiation, gene editing, cell-line engineering).

• Experience with fluorescence and confocal imaging and image analysis.

• Experience supervising or training others in a collaborative research environment and demonstrated ability to manage scientific operations or technical teams.

• Experience with, or demonstrated interest in, emerging NAMs platforms, including organs-on-a-chip.

• Prior experience working in, managing, or directing a core research facility.

• Experience supporting grant-funded academic researchers.

• Budget management experience; familiarity with cost recovery or user fee-based funding models a plus.

• Experience contributing to or securing extramural funding to support core or laboratory operations.

About University of Louisville

Founded in 1798 as one of the nation's first city-owned, public universities, the University of Louisville (UofL) is a vital ecosystem that creates thriving futures for students, our community, and society. UofL is nationally recognized for excellence in research, community engagement, and student access and success. It is one of only 102 universities in the US to earn the Carnegie Foundation’s prestigious dual designation as both a Research 1 and Community Engaged university.

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