Physician - Oncology

The University of Kansas Health System and The University of Kansas Cancer Center are seeking a Physician Scientist specializing in Lung Cancer to join the Division of Medical Oncology and the Thoracic Oncology Program.

The University of Kansas Cancer Center (KUCC) is the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the region, serving patients across Kansas and western Missouri. Our multidisciplinary thoracic oncology program is dedicated to advancing the prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of lung cancer through innovative research and exceptional patient care.

The selected candidate will benefit from exceptional institutional resources, including a new state-of-the-art cancer center currently under construction to support cutting-edge research and multidisciplinary care. This full-time faculty position offers academic rank commensurate with experience, a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, dedicated research support, and access to institutional core facilities within a highly collaborative campus environment.

This is a unique opportunity to advance lung cancer research by leading translational and clinical investigations focused on understanding disease biology, developing novel therapeutic strategies, identifying predictive biomarkers, and improving outcomes for patients with thoracic malignancies.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish an innovative and externally funded research program focused on thoracic malignancies.
• Develop and lead translational and clinical research initiatives in areas such as tumor biology, molecular profiling, precision oncology, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, resistance mechanisms, and biomarker development.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across oncology, pulmonology, pathology, radiology, surgery, and population health sciences.
• Design and conduct investigator-initiated studies and contribute to national cooperative group and industry-sponsored clinical trials.
• Partner with KUCC research cores, the Clinical Trials Office, Biostatistics, Pathology, and translational science programs to accelerate the development of novel diagnostics and therapies.
• Mentor graduate students, residents, clinical fellows, postdoctoral researchers, and junior faculty.
• Publish research findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and present discoveries at national and international scientific meetings.
• Pursue extramural funding through NIH, NCI, Department of Defense, foundations, and other funding organizations.
• Participate in the growth and strategic development of the Thoracic Oncology research program.

Required Qualifications

• MD, DO, MD/PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree
• Board certified or board eligible in Medical Oncology
• Demonstrated expertise in thoracic malignancies, cancer biology, translational research, or related areas
• Evidence of scholarly productivity, including peer-reviewed publications
• Strong commitment to multidisciplinary collaboration and academic excellence
• Record of, or strong potential for, obtaining extramural funding

Preferred Qualifications

• Established research program focused on lung cancer biology, precision medicine, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, cancer disparities, screening, or early detection
• Previous extramural funding (e.g., K Award, R21, R01, Department of Defense, VA Merit Award, or foundation funding)
• Experience leading translational, investigator-initiated, or multicenter clinical research studies
• Expertise in biomarker discovery, molecular diagnostics, genomics, proteomics, or computational oncology
• Experience mentoring trainees and developing collaborative research programs
• National or international recognition in thoracic oncology research

Environment & Resources

KUCC offers extensive research infrastructure, including biostatistics and bioinformatics support, advanced genomics and molecular pathology platforms, imaging cores, tissue banking resources, population sciences expertise, clinical trial support services, and collaborative partnerships across the University of Kansas Medical Center campus. Investigator(s) benefit from a highly integrated environment designed to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into improved patient outcomes. In addition. KUCC has a strong phase I / drug development program and rural clinical trial access with MCA.

Benefits and Compensation 

• Highly competitive compensation package in the nation
• Comprehensive retirement program
• Relocation assistance
• Health, dental, and vision insurance with coverage beginning day one
• CME allowance
• LTD/STD and Life insurance
• Professional liability insurance 

For more information contact:

Darci Deskin, Senior Physician Recruiter

[email protected]

(913) 951-7748 cell