Director of the Center for Autism Care

The Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute (OBI) at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center announces an opening for the Director of the Center for Autism Care.  The center draws its strength from a set of synergistic resources of the OBI and Children’s Medical Center. Its missions are threefold: 1) to provide state-of-the-art multidisciplinary medical and behavioral interventions for autism; 2) to conduct research aimed at developing new knowledge about autism etiology, pathogenesis, or treatment, and 3) to provide clinical and scientific education for trainees. 

The O’Donnell Brain Institute and Children’s Medical Center are together making a major investment to advance the Center for Autism Care. The two institutions have forged a partnership providing the autism program with a clear governance structure, that together with dedicated resources will provide a unique opportunity for new leader to have major impact.  In 2021, the care team is comprised of psychologists, psychiatrists, pediatric neurologists, licensed social workers and behavioral therapists provided over 6,000 patient visits. The program includes a Neurodevelopmental Disabilities residency, a postdoctoral fellowship, a parent education series and parent support group, all of which provide a rich environment for clinical research and care. In summer, 2022, the program will relocate to an 8,000 square foot state of the art facility that will allow for expanded clinical care and integrated clinical research opportunities. Additionally, the OBI program in human translational neuroscience will provide additional capabilities and resources to complement human subject-based research efforts.

 The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following qualifications:

• An excellent track record in scholarship in autism (including across the lifespan) and/or related developmental disabilities. Human subject research is preferred (including genetics, neuroimaging, neuropsychology etc).
• Demonstrated commitment to and excellence in the care and/or clinical investigation of individuals with autism.
• Broad knowledge of ongoing clinical and laboratory research in autism.
• Demonstrated leadership in an academic environment and in communicating with the community.

The selected candidate must hold a Ph.D./Psy.D., and/or M.D.  A Texas medical license or Texas psychology license will be required for any candidate who aspires to provide patient care.   

 Appointment rank will be commensurate with academic accomplishments and experience. This is a high profile position that offers great opportunity for research program development and career enhancement. 

 UT Southwestern Medical Center ranks among the top academic medical centers in the world.  Our distinguished faculty includes active Nobel Prize winners. Nearly 4,200 medical, graduate and allied health students, residents and postdoctoral fellows are trained each year. Faculty and residents oversee approximately 2.2 million outpatient visits annually.

The Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute encompasses major investments in research to delineate the fundamental underlying causes of brain disease, as well as translational research efforts to advance diagnosis and treatment, and investment in clinical programs to offer the very best and most innovative care possible today. Our clinicians provide care to patients at UT Southwestern University Hospitals and Clinics, and at the pediatric hospitals in the Children’s Health network. Children’s Health is the primary pediatric clinical partner of UT Southwestern and our Department of Pediatrics. At the core of this organization, Children’s Medical Center, Dallas, functions as a multi-specialty inpatient and outpatient quaternary care and teaching facility that serves as the main home for the pediatric residency program (104 categorical pediatric residents) and a complete set of ACGME-accredited pediatric subspecialty fellowship programs.

 In addition to the Dallas Campus, which is licensed for 483 beds, Children’s has a second full-service campus in Plano, one of the fastest growing areas in the country, with an additional 72 beds. Each year, Children’s receives more than 20,000 admissions, 200,000 outpatient visits, and 90,000 emergency room visits, and performs more than 20,000 surgical procedures. More than a mere clinical partner, Children’s Health is committed to fostering research, both basic and clinical, as a fundamental component of its strategy to advance pediatric care. This commitment is exemplified by its contribution of $200 million to the creation of the Children’s Research Institute.  

The Dallas area boasts a low cost of living with diverse neighborhoods and great schools. The area has world class quality of life options, with more than 175 museums and art galleries, premier performance halls, numerous parks, lakes, golf courses and seven professional sport franchises.   

Interested applicants should apply online at https://jobs.utsouthwestern.edu/ job #  220000EY and submit curriculum vitae and a cover letter of interest.

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community.  As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.