Jobloria
Director, Cellular Therapy Program
Medcv
Location : Indianapolis, IN, 46204
Job Type : Full Time / Part Time
Date Posted : 1 December 2025
At IU Health, we are committed to advancing a culture where all people can come together while we work to equitably improve the health of all Hoosiers. Working together, our health system fosters an environment in which differences are respected and valued.
OverviewIndiana University School of Medicine & Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center
Indiana University School of Medicine & Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center
Location: Indianapolis, IN
TheIndiana University School of Medicine (IUSM), in collaboration with theIndiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center (IUSCCC), Indiana University Health Medical Group,andIndiana University Health,invites applications for an accomplished and visionary leader to serve asDirector of the Cellular Therapy Program.
Indiana University hosts the state’s only academic stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy program, with a longstanding history dating back to 1987. We are home to a robust, multidisciplinary research enterprise in stem cell biology, transplantation, and immunotherapy. Our adult program operates within IU Health and the Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, while our pediatric efforts are based atRiley Hospital for Children, Indiana’s only dedicated children’s hospital and one of the largest in the country. Our clinical and research activities are anchored by theBrown Center for Immunotherapy, an institutional hub for translational cellular immunotherapy.
Position Summary
We are seeking a dynamic physician-scientist to lead our Cellular Therapy Program, overseeing clinical operations, academic initiatives, and translational research in both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. The Director will provide strategic leadership to expand and enhance our clinical, research, and educational missions. This is a key leadership position, with cross-departmental collaborations and access to robust infrastructure to support innovative investigator-initiated trials, cellular product development, and translational discovery.Key Responsibilities
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the adult and pediatric cellular therapy programs, spanning both malignant and benign hematologic conditions and solid tumors.
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Stem Cell Transplantation to maintainFACT accreditationand ensure programmatic excellence.
• Work in partnership with the Cellular Therapy Laboratory Director to maintain compliance with regulatory and quality standards.
• Serve as a senior member of theBrown Center for Immunotherapy, fostering integration between research and clinical programs.
• Lead and expand a high-impact research portfolio in cellular immunotherapy, with an emphasis oninvestigator-initiated trialsand translational innovation.
• Mentor junior faculty and trainees across the School of Medicine.
• Engage internal and external stakeholders to broaden patient access and referral networks.Qualifications
• MD or MD/PhD with BC in Hematology and/or Oncology.
• At least5 years of leadership experiencedirecting clinical and/or translational research in hematologic malignancies or cellular therapy.
• A track record ofindependent, extramural funding(e.g., NIH R01 or equivalent).
• Demonstrated excellence in scholarship withmultiple publications or grantsrelated to hematology or cellular therapies.
• Eligibility for appointment at theAssociate or Full Professorlevel.
• Expertise in stem cell transplantation and cellular immunotherapy.
• Strong leadership, communication, and t
Rewarding Physician and Advanced Provider employment opportunities await with Indiana University Health Physicians.
IU Health Physiciansgroup, which employs over 2,200 physicians and advanced providers at more than 175 locations across the state, is one of the fastest-growing, comprehensive, multi-specialty practice groups in Indiana. IUHP also serves as the faculty practice plan of Indiana University School of Medicine , and brings together faculty physicians, IU Health-affiliated physicians and private practice physicians to give highly skilled doctors access to innovative treatments using the latest research and technology.
Indiana University Health National Recognition:
- Ranked #1 in Indiana byU.S. News & World Report
- Riley Hospital for Children is ranked among the top children’s hospitals in the country byU.S. News & World Report, and is the only nationally ranked children’s hospital in Indiana
- Preferred by consumers and referring physicians as the best health system overall in Indiana
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion at IU Health. IU Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, national origin, gender identity and/or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Indiana University Health, Indiana University Health Physicians and Indiana University School of Medicine are EOE/AA Employers, M/F/D.
Facility DescriptionBrown Center for Immunotherapy at the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center
TheBrown Center for Immunotherapyat theIndiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Centeris dedicated to leveraging the power of the immune system to develop transformative treatments for cancer. The Center supports a robust pipeline of translational research initiatives aimed at advancing cellular and immune-based therapies from bench to bedside. Within theVector Production Laboratory, multiple chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) constructs are in development, including theCD4CAR, which is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. TheImmune Monitoring Laboratoryconducts correlative studies for all cellular therapy trials, focusing on mechanisms of CAR T cell exhaustion and integrating bioinformatics approaches to validate predictive biomarkers of response and resistance. Researchers at the center are also investigating the therapeutic potential of distinct T cell subsets, including efforts to engineer checkpoint-deficient T cells to enhance persistence and functionality. Ongoing preclinical and translational efforts target challenging solid tumors such asglioblastomaandpancreatic cancerusing cellular therapies and novel antigen-specific approaches. In parallel, the Center is advancingpeptide vaccine platforms, several of which are actively being evaluated in clinical trials, aimed at eliciting durable, tumor-specific immune responses.
Indianapolis, Indiana, the 17th largest U.S. city, is a sophisticated city blending charm and culture with a wonderful balance of business and leisure. Residents of this dynamic city enjoy:
- Leading educational system and top-ranked universities, paired with a diverse population
- Vibrant downtown offering arts, theaters, world-class museums, zoo, concerts and memorials
- Named toU.S. News & World Report's2023-2024 list of the best places to live in the United States
- Top ranked international airport: "Best Airport in North America" twelve consecutive years
- Historic neighborhoods with surrounding cultural districts and low cost of living
- Outdoor recreation includes golfing, boating and unique parks
- Home of the Colts (NFL), Fever (
- WNBA ), Pacers (
- NBA ), Indians (
- MiLB ), Indianapolis 500 (
- IndyCar ) and the nation's largest half marathon
- Close proximity to Chicago, St. Louis
Freqently Asked Questions
Indianapolis offers a unique environment for cellular therapy leadership due to its strong academic-medical partnerships, including Indiana University Health. The city’s emphasis on translational research and access to a diverse patient population supports innovative therapies, making program direction here distinct from other locations.
Expanding cellular therapy access in Indianapolis involves navigating referral networks across both adult and pediatric populations, addressing healthcare disparities, and collaborating with regional hospitals. Understanding local healthcare infrastructure and community health needs is crucial for effective program growth.
An ideal candidate holds an MD or MD/PhD, board certifications in hematology or oncology, with at least five years in leadership overseeing clinical and translational research. Proven success securing extramural funding and experience in stem cell transplantation and immunotherapy are critical.
This role blends overseeing clinical operations with steering translational research initiatives. Directors coordinate multi-disciplinary teams, ensure regulatory compliance, mentor junior faculty, and drive investigator-initiated trials, all while integrating pediatric and adult cellular therapy services.
Leadership in cellular therapy opens pathways to executive roles in academic medicine or biotech, increased grant funding opportunities, and influence over therapeutic innovation. Directors often become key opinion leaders shaping national guidelines and advancing cellular immunotherapy.
Medcv emphasizes leadership that bridges clinical excellence with pioneering research, supported by Indiana University’s infrastructure. The role encourages fostering cross-departmental collaborations and mentoring, positioning directors to impact both patient care and scientific discovery.
IU Health provides access to a robust multidisciplinary research environment, state-of-the-art cellular therapy labs, and top-ranked clinical facilities. Directors benefit from institutional backing for innovative trials and a culture prioritizing equitable healthcare and diversity.
Directors in this specialty within Indianapolis typically earn between $220,000 and $280,000 annually, reflecting the role’s high leadership demands, specialized expertise, and academic affiliation. Compensation may include bonuses aligned with research and clinical outcomes.
Certifications in hematology or oncology boards are essential, and additional credentials in clinical research management or cell therapy manufacturing can provide competitive advantages. Familiarity with FDA regulatory standards for cellular products is also highly valued locally.
Indianapolis shows increasing demand for cellular therapy leaders due to its expanding academic and clinical programs. While competition exists, candidates with proven research funding and leadership experience in immunotherapy typically have strong prospects.
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