Doctoral Research Faculty - Ward Family Heart Center

Doctoral Research Faculty MemberChildren's Mercy Kansas City is seeking an outstanding Doctoral Research Faculty member to join the Ward Family Heart Center Research Program and be a pivotal member of the Pre-Clinical Research Track within a growing and nationally recognized cardiovascular research enterprise.The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining an innovative and externally funded research program focused on pediatric cardiovascular disease. As member of the Pre-Clinical Research Track, the candidate will develop and lead translational research initiatives that bridge basic science and clinical application. Research efforts will leverage the extensive resources of the Ward Family Heart Center Biorepository and the Children's Mercy Research Institute (CMRI) to advance understanding of the genomic and molecular basis of congenital and acquired pediatric heart disease.Key areas of investigation may include but not limited to genomic and epigenomic underpinnings of congenital heart disease; patient-derived cellular and organoid models; precision medicine approaches; novel therapeutic development and testing; and large-scale genomic analyses conducted in collaboration with CMRI's Genomic Medicine Center. The successful candidate will have opportunities to investigate diverse patient populations, including but not limited to:Single-ventricle congenital heart diseaseCyanotic congenital heart diseaseFetal cardiovascular diseasePost-chemotherapy cardiomyopathyInherited arrhythmia syndromesGenetic cardiomyopathiesAcquired pediatric heart diseaseWe welcome applications from exceptional early-career and mid-career investigators with a doctoral degree (MD/PhD, PhD, PharmD, ScD, or equivalent). Apart from a track-record in cardiovascular research, competitive candidates will demonstrate expertise in one or more of the following areas:Computational biology and bioinformaticsData science and artificial intelligence applicationsHuman genetics and genomicsMolecular and cellular biologyPrecision medicine and translational therapeuticsDisease modeling using cellular and animal systemsMedical genetics and genomic medicineThe ideal candidate will share our commitment to building a premier translational cardiovascular research program that integrates scientific discovery with excellence in pediatric patient care.Primary ResponsibilitiesServe as Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator, Sub-Investigator, or scientific consultant on investigator-initiated grants and publications, collaborative research proposals, and sponsored research agreements.Develop and implement innovative, state-of-the-art methodologies in cardiovascular disease modeling and therapeutic discovery.Lead translational research efforts utilizing advanced genetic, genomic, and molecular approaches.Establish and maintain a successful externally funded research program.Foster interdisciplinary collaborations across the Heart Center, CMRI, and the Genomic Medicine Center.Train and mentor undergraduate students, graduate trainees, postdoctoral fellows, pediatric cardiology fellows, and early-career faculty members.Contribute to the academic mission of Children's Mercy through scientific publications, presentations, and program development.About the Ward Family Heart Center Research ProgramThe Ward Family Heart Center Research Program has been active for more than a decade and is entering an exciting period of expansion. In 2025, Dr. Jon Wagner, an independently funded physician-scientist specializing in precision medicine and optimization of cardiovascular therapeutics, was recruited to develop a world-class translational cardiovascular research program. Building on the strengths of the Children's Mercy Research Institute (CMRI), this initiative aims to accelerate scientific discovery while fostering innovative collaborations across disciplines.The program is organized into three complementary research tracks that collectively support the development of a nationally recognized pediatric cardiovascular research center:Exploratory and Pre-Clinical ResearchClinical and Diagnostic TrialsCardiovascular Outcomes ResearchThis position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of pediatric cardiovascular research within a collaborative environment that combines outstanding clinical programs, robust research infrastructure, extensive biorepository resources, and a strong institutional commitment to innovation, discovery, and mentorship.