Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) and the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center (IUSCCC) invite applications for a Walther Endowed Chair in Supportive Oncology within the Walther Center for Supportive Oncology. This open-rank faculty position is designed for an investigator who is ready to grow a high-impact, collaborative research program in an environment with substantial institutional commitment, endowed-chair support, and access to Indiana’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center.

The Walther Center brings together research and clinical care to improve the cancer experience for patients and families. The successful candidate will join a growing team of scholars and clinicians working across palliative care, psycho-oncology, integrative medicine, rehabilitation, survivorship, symptom science, patient-reported outcomes, health services research, and related fields.


Why this opportunity is compelling

· Endowed support: The chair is one of five Walther-endowed positions created to recruit academic leaders and accelerate supportive oncology research and care.

· Collaborative environment: Candidates will engage with investigators, clinicians, trainees, IU Health partners, and community collaborators across a highly interdisciplinary academic health system.

· Flexible fit: Faculty rank, department home, and clinical effort, where applicable, will be aligned with the candidate’s discipline, expertise, and career goals.

· Growth orientation: The center is building a long-term initiative with opportunities for new programs, team science, pragmatic and translational research, implementation, and dissemination.

· Mission and impact: The role offers a platform to improve quality of life, care delivery, health equity, and outcomes for people with cancer and their loved ones.

Research focus areas

We welcome applicants from a wide range of disciplines whose scholarship advances supportive oncology across the cancer continuum and across the lifespan including children, adolescents/young adults, and adults. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

· Psycho-oncology, behavioral oncology, mental health, coping, distress, resilience, and caregiver/family support

· Palliative care, symptom management, cancer pain, fatigue, cachexia, sleep, communication, decision-making, and serious illness care

· Survivorship, cancer and aging, sexual health, quality of life, rehabilitation, return-to-work and functional outcomes

· Integrative oncology, exercise, physical activity, lifestyle interventions, nutrition, music therapy, and mind-body interventions

· Health services research, implementation science, dissemination, digital health, patient-reported outcomes, health equity, and community-engaged research

Responsibilities

· Maintain and expand an independent, peer-reviewed research program in supportive oncology or a closely related field.

· Develop innovative, collaborative, and translational scholarship that contributes to the growth and national visibility of the Walther Center.

· Pursue external funding and publish high-impact scholarly work commensurate with rank and discipline.

· Participate in multidisciplinary and team-science initiatives across IUSM, IUSCCC, IU Health, and community partners.

· Mentor learners, staff, trainees, and/or junior colleagues, commensurate with career stage and appointment level.

· Contribute to teaching, service, leadership, and community engagement activities consistent with the candidate’s expertise and faculty appointment.


About the Walther Center and IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center

The Walther Center for Supportive Oncology is a major initiative of IUSM and IUSCCC, supported by the Walther Cancer Foundation and developed in partnership with IU Health. The center integrates palliative care, psycho-oncology, integrative medicine, rehabilitation, symptom management, survivorship, research, and clinical care to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families.

IUSCCC is Indiana’s only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center and a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Cancer center investigators work across basic, clinical, translational, population, and community-engaged research, with substantial institutional resources to support research development, collaboration, and scientific innovation.

About IU School of Medicine and Indianapolis

IUSM is the largest medical school in the United States, with campuses across Indiana and a mission to advance health through education, research, and patient-centered care. IU Indianapolis is located in a growing life sciences region with strong academic, health care, philanthropic, community, and industry partnerships.

Indianapolis combines the amenities of a major city with an accessible, livable metropolitan region. Candidates will find professional sports, arts and culture, restaurants, parks, trails, festivals, and diverse neighborhoods, as well as nearby communities such as Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, and Zionsville that are frequently recognized for quality of life.

IUSM is committed to being a welcoming campus community and we seek candidates whose research, teaching, and community engagement efforts contribute to robust learning and working environments for all students, staff, and faculty. We invite individuals who will join us in our mission to improve health equity and well-being for all throughout the state of Indiana.

· PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent terminal degree in a relevant discipline.

· A productive independent research program with peer-reviewed extramural funding or a strong funding trajectory appropriate to rank.

· Scholarly productivity and an emerging, established, or nationally recognized reputation in supportive oncology or a related field.

· Demonstrated commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration across clinical, research, educational, and/or community settings.

· Experience mentoring learners, staff, research teams, or junior colleagues, commensurate with rank and career stage.

· Commitment to advancing inclusive excellence, health equity, and patient- and family-centered cancer care through research, teaching, mentoring, service, or community engagement.

psychr@iu.edu

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of current and future research interests, and names of references or referee contact information as requested by the search committee.

Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. IUSM is committed to cultivating a welcoming campus community and seeks candidates whose research, teaching, mentoring, service, and community engagement efforts contribute to robust learning and working environments for all students, staff, and faculty.