Chief Research Informatics Officer

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A Brief Overview
The Chief Research Informatics Officer (CRIO) at CHOP is a pivotal leadership position, responsible for partnering with enterprise digital & technology leadership to develop and execute a comprehensive Research Informatics strategy, spanning technology, data science, AI, and digital health applications that accelerates research breakthroughs and improve child health.

Reporting directly to the Chief Scientific Officer, with matrixed reporting to the Chief Digital & Information Officer, the CRIO will drive the integration of cutting-edge data, technology, and computational biology to advance clinical and translational research. This role requires extensive collaboration with leaders across CHOP, including academic chairs, division chiefs, leaders of Research Institute supported centers and programs, and C-suite executives, as well as external partners.

The CRIO leads Research Information Services and the enterprise-wide Arcus program, a multi-million-dollar strategic initiative designed to harness the full potential of clinical and research data through advanced technologies like machine learning and predictive analytics. Through visionary leadership the CRIO will lead a diverse team of experts to build a forward-looking research informatics infrastructure ensuring that CHOP is at the forefront of biomedical informatics, data science, and clinical decision support, to advance CHOP's mission to deliver transformative health solutions for children.

This role must be leading and contributing to scholarship as well as the experience and national reputation. Academic achievement must qualify for a faculty appointment in the standing faculty of the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

What you will do

• Strategic Leadership & Vision
  * Set and articulate an institution-wide research informatics strategy aligned with CHOP's mission.
  * Partner with the CDIO and the Digital & Technology Services team to develop and integrate enterprise-wide technology, analytics, and AI strategies that support research innovation, clinical care, and operational effectiveness.
  * Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Research Institute's data science and informatics strategy, in partnership with the Associate CSO for Omics, Technology & Engineering (ACSO) ensuring alignment with the institution's research and clinical objectives.
• Platform & Technology Oversight
  * Oversee development and maintenance of core informatics platforms-Arcus, research data environments, EHR-integrated pipelines, translational & clinical data systems-leveraging research platforms and core service units, and Research Information Services
  * Shape and oversee the Arcus program, including its evolution to support next-generation precision-medicine, and the development of a multi-modal, enterprise data hub which powers computational biology, machine learning, and translational research in partnership with the Chief Data & Analytics Officer and broader digital transformation strategy.
  * Partner with Chief Technology Officer to develop secure, cloud-based, infrastructure that enables storage and compute resources to develop research applications and AI algorithms, in alignment with enterprise technology strategy.
  * Partner with senior leadership across research, clinical, and hospital administration, as well as with faculty, to ensure data and technology resources deliver measurable value and impact.
  * Drive the development of multi-year strategic plans for research informatics and data science, working with internal and external stakeholders.
  * Oversee the development and application of computational biology and advanced analytics, along with strategic data integration bridging research and clinical care data to enhance research driven precision medicine.
  * Foster strategic partnerships with academic institutions, industry, and government organizations to enhance CHOP's research informatics capabilities.
• Analytics, AI & Innovation Enablement
  * Partner with CDIO and CDAO to steer and implement enterprise AI strategy, develop frameworks for AI Governance, enable AI literacy, and identification of high-impact AI use cases within the Research Institute
  * Guide the adoption of advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI across research programs (e.g., genomics, precision medicine, rare diseases).
  * Pilot and evaluate new technologies and collaborate with CDIO, CDAO and ACSO to embed AI/ML solutions across both research and clinical domains.
  * Translate informatics strategy into real-world technical solutions-e.g., launching prediction tools, data warehouses, or decision support systems in research and/or clinical environments.
• Operational Oversight and Team Leadership
  * Oversee multiple units including application services, digital and web services, business analytics, data analytics, software engineering, data science, cloud technology, bioinformatics, and clinical decision support, comprising a team of 40+ professionals.
  * Lead directors and managers responsible for cutting-edge biomedical software, data warehousing, cloud solutions, and clinical informatics to support CHOP's mission.
  * Oversee the operational and capital budget planning, justification, and management for Arcus, Research Information Services, Clinical Informatics, Research Platforms and Service Units ensuring responsible financial growth and performance.
  * Foster a high-performance culture by mentoring and developing director- and manager-level leaders, ensuring succession planning, staff retention, and skill development.
  * Oversee the development of digital health and population health informatics programs, aligning research informatics with broader institutional priorities.
  * Support data integration efforts in support of CHOP's participation in national and international multi-institutional collaborative data networks and clinical research trials
• Technology and Data Strategy Execution
  * Define and deliver research IT strategies, working closely with the CHOP DTS leadership and other internal stakeholders to develop scalable informatics and data infrastructure solutions.
  * Partner with CDIO in the development of cloud-based and on-premises computing solutions, data warehouses, and advanced machine learning tools to support computational and translational research.
  * Lead efforts to translate research-based technologies into clinical decision support applications, working closely with clinical leaders to ensure the practical application of research findings.
  * Identify and integrate novel technology applications to support biomedical research.
  * Develop external funding opportunities by engaging with philanthropic and federal funders to advance biomedical informatics and data science initiatives at CHOP.
  * Provides strategic oversight for a portfolio of research-focused applications, web, and analytics services that enable operational excellence and innovation across the Research Institute.
  * Lead efforts to modernize the eResearch ecosystem, enhance digital presence, and advance data-driven decision-making through robust analytics infrastructure, process automation, and custom solution development, where appropriate.
• Compliance, Security and Governance
  * Serve on and lead key governance and advisory committees, guiding strategic decision-making, evaluation of impact, and alignment of informatics programs with institutional goals.
  * Serve as the Research Institute's leader to ensure that data storage platforms and security requirements are consistent with federal requirements and best practices. Collaborate with stakeholders in DTS to implement necessary changes.
  * In collaboration with CDIO, CDAO and VP Research Compliance & Regulatory Affairs ensure robust data governance, privacy, and security frameworks, addressing data governance challenges such as HIPAA and IRB compliance, while fostering innovation in research.
  * Partner to educate the research community on data stewardship, federal regulations, and best practices for managing and sharing research data, promoting rigorous and reproducible research. Develop and maintain resources to support researchers in their development of plans for managing and sharing data.
• Collaboration, Academic and Research Contributions
  * Ensure robust academic output from informatics and data science initiatives through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and other scholarly activities.
  * Partner with CHIO (Chief Health Informatics Officer) to develop and integrate digital health and clinical decision support applications within Epic.
  * Promote enterprise-wide informatics fluency through training, workshops, internal fellowships, and community engagement (e.g., Clinical Informatics Fellowship)
  * Serve as Principal Investigator for NIH or other grant-funded informatics and data science projects when necessary, driving the advancement of CHOP's research mission.
  * Work closely with hospital and research administration to align the Arcus program and other informatics initiatives with CHOP's broader mission and goals.
  * Collaborate with hospital groups, faculty, and external partners to build and maintain productive relationships, advocating for research informatics and data science priorities.
  * Develop and maintain positive professional associations with similar academically focused informatics leaders at other institutions.
  * Research and academic productivity including peer-reviewed publications, presentation at academic conferences, and student mentorship preferred.
  * Lead and serve on planning and executive leadership committees.

Education Qualifications

• Doctorate MD, DO or PhD in biomedical informatics, data science, computational biology or related field - Required

Experience Qualifications

• At least fifteen (15) years of software engineering, data warehouse/systems development, data architecture, application development, and database administration experience - Required and
• At least twelve (12) years of leadership, management or supervisory experience - Required and
• At least ten (10) years of biotechnology, healthcare/biomedical research software/platforms and informatics experience - Required
• At least fifteen (15) years of related experience in an academic, healthcare, medical, research or pediatric related environment - Preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Expert knowledge of software and data systems engineering design and project management methods (Required proficiency)
• Expert knowledge of computational biology, machine learning, data privacy and security, and clinical decision support systems (Required proficiency)
• Advanced knowledgeable of federal/state regulations and policies in biomedical data, technology, translational research, and genomics domains (Required proficiency)
• Advanced knowledgeable of statistical and analytic methods (Required proficiency)
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills (Required proficiency)
• Excellent interpersonal skills (Required proficiency)
• Excellent leadership skills (Required proficiency)
• Excellent relationship building skills (Required proficiency)
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders at all levels (Required proficiency)
• Ability to develop, plan and execute business strategies (Required proficiency)
• Ability to influence others to accomplish tasks outside of the direct span of control (Required proficiency)

To carry out its mission, CHOP is committed to supporting the health of our patients, families, workforce, and global community. As a condition of employment, CHOP employees who work in patient care buildings or who have patient facing responsibilities must receive an annual influenza vaccine. Learn more.

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SALARY RANGE:

Salary ranges are shown for full-time jobs. If you're working part-time, your pay will be adjusted accordingly.

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