Division Chief of Genetics & Metabolism Physician Scientist
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Division Chief of Genetics & Metabolism Physician Scientist
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Public research university in Madison, WI
The Division of Genetics & Metabolism within the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) is seeking an academic Geneticist to assume the role of Division Chief of Genetics & Metabolism. This is an opportunity for a full-time Professor, Associate Professor, or late-stage Assistant Professor. We seek a leader with enthusiasm for academic medicine who will encourage, inspire, and empower division members. The Division Chief provides strategic and operational leadership; oversees divisional faculty and staff; spearheads the expansion of clinical, education, and research programs; and guides faculty professional development. A physician scientist with an active research program is ideal, but strong leadership skills are the most important quality. This is an opportunity to teach and mentor medical students, residents, and other trainees, thereby shaping the next generation of medical professionals. Opportunities exist for clinical research in the candidate's area/s of interest. The candidate will lead dedicated disease-specific research staff and have access to substantial programmatic research funds.
This position is full-time, 100%
This position requires work to be completed onsite, at a designated campus work location.
This position has been identified as a position of trust with access to vulnerable populations. The selected candidate will be required to pass an initial caregiver check to be eligible for employment under the Wisconsin Caregiver Law and every four years.
Applicants for this position will be considered for the titles: Professor, Associate Professor, or Assistant Professor. The title is determined by the experience and qualifications of the finalist.
This vacancy is being announced simultaneously with JR10008965: please note that only one vacancy exists. Having two job postings allows the School of Medicine and Public Health to consider candidates with both tenure-track faculty credentials and non-tenure-track faculty credentials for this position.
Physicians hired on the Tenure track will participate in administrative and committee work to support the clinical and scholarly missions of UW Health and the School of Medicine and Public Health. An essential part of these duties will be working in a collegial relationship with other faculty members.
The Division Chief will provide strategic and operational leadership with responsibility over all of the division's operations across all missions (clinical, teaching, research, and advocacy). The position will develop, implement, and evaluate strategies to advance strategic priorities in all missions as well as encourage faculty career progression according to the SMPH and UW–Madison Appointment and Promotion Criteria. The position will promote and support the advancement of a diverse faculty on all tracks as well as a welcoming and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff.
Clinical expectations include providing general genetics and/or metabolic pediatric patient care, staffing clinics at the Waisman Center, and call coverage at UW Health Kids American Family Children’s Hospital.
Participate in clinical teaching of fellows, residents, and medical students, and support the teaching and clinical research missions of the division and department.
Carry out independent research/scholarly activity in an area of interest. Physician-scientists will be expected to engage in active collaborative research and expand clinical and/or translational research in the division and obtain/maintain independent extramural funding.
School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics & Metabolism
The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health is a vibrant academic department comprising more than 230 faculty members in 16 subspecialty divisions. The department promotes and enhances the health of children through outstanding clinical care, exemplary education of pediatric trainees, cutting-edge research, and vigorous advocacy. Our faculty enjoy a robust infrastructure of services as well as the opportunity to contribute to our world-class research portfolio: since 2015, the Department of Pediatrics has ranked among the Top 20 Pediatric departments receiving NIH funding, according to Blue Ridge Institutes for Medical Research.
Founded in 1972, the Division of Genetics & Metabolism is one of the first medical genetics services in the United States. Its multidisciplinary specialists work with patients and families to provide diagnostic, counseling, care management, and referral services for a wide range of genetic conditions. Physicians and APPs, genetic counselors, metabolic dieticians, nurses, and fellows provide specialty care in medical genetics and biochemical genetics clinics, as well as clinics that address undiagnosed diseases, bone dysplasia, neurocutaneous disorders, birthmarks and vascular anomalies, bone and mineral metabolism, and gender and sexual development. Genetic scientists investigate the genetic basis of inherited disorders and develop new molecular techniques for use in newborn screening. The division has strong partnerships with the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, UW–Madison’s Waisman Center, and the Center for Precision Medicine with which the division co-leads the UW Center for Rare Diseases as a National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) Center of Excellence.
Madison Community:
#1 Best Places to Live in the U.S. (Livability, 2022)
#1 Most Neighborly City (NeighborBlog, 2023)
#1 Best Places in the U.S. for Raising Children (DiversityDataKids.com, 2020)
#1 College Town to Live in After Graduation (Livability, 2024)
#2 Best City for Work/Life Balance & Mental Health (CoworkingCafe, 2023)
#2 Best City for Bikes (People for Bikes, 2020)
#4 Happiest Cities in America (WalletHub, 2024)
#5 Best State to Practice Medicine (Physicians Thrive, 2025)
#6 Fittest City in the US (ACSM American Fitness Index, 2023)
#7 Best Cities for STEM Jobs (WalletHub, 2025)
#8 Greenest City in the U.S. (EcoCation, 2025)
Best Mid-Size Town (Midwest Living, 2023)
Best Mid-Sized City for Gen Z (Commercial Café, 2025)
Madison is the second largest city in the state, with a city population of approximately 280,000 and a regional population of over 1 million. The city is within easy driving distance of Chicago and Milwaukee. Madison's technology economy is growing rapidly, and the region is home to the headquarters of Epic Systems, Exact Sciences, and Promega, as well as many biotech, health care IT, and health systems startups. Other large employers headquartered in the area include Sub-Zero Group, Lands' End, American Family Insurance, TruStage, Trek Bicycles, and Duluth Trading Company.
Madison is rich with cultural offerings, abundant outdoor activities, and one of the strongest local food scenes in the country: from April to October, the Capitol Square hosts the largest producer-only farmers' market in the country. The city has a dedicated athletics fan base largely centered around the Big 10 University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, Madison is home to a professional soccer team, Forward Madison FC, and a professional ultimate frisbee team, the Madison Radicals. The Madison Mallards is a collegiate wood-bat summer baseball league team and the Madison Night Mares is a summer collegiate softball team. Marquee endurance sports and specialty sporting events include Ironman, Madison Marathon, and many national and international championship competitions.
Negotiable, 12 month
Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; and retirement benefits.
Candidate must be an experienced academic physician with demonstrated excellence in research, education, service, and/or clinical care. Must possess a record of scholarly achievements, outstanding leadership skills, professionalism, and ability to develop interdisciplinary, collaborative programs.
Board certification or board eligibility in the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ABMGG) in Clinical Genetics and/or Clinical or Medical Biochemical Genetics and is required by the appointment start date.
Completion of an ACGME-approved pathway for categorical training in a medical genetics and genomics residency or combined ACGME primary specialty (e.g. pediatrics, internal medicine)/Medical Genetics and Genomics residency training program is required by the appointment start date.
The candidate is required to have a Wisconsin medical license by the appointment start date.
Must be eligible for enrollment as a billing provider and for all necessary hospital privileges by the appointment start date.
Completion of a Medical Biochemical Genetics fellowship program is preferred but not required.
For an appointment at Associate Professor or Professor rank on the Tenure Track, candidates will meet criteria established by the department and as outlined in the School of Medicine and Public Health guidelines for promotion or appointment to Associate or Professor on the Tenure Track.
MD, DO, or equivalent is required
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Cover Letter Containing:
Your interest in joining the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health’s Department of Pediatrics as the Division Chief of Genetics & Metabolism
Your qualifications and experience in Clinical Genetics
Your leadership experience.
CV
The deadline for assuring full consideration is May 1, 2026; however, the position will remain open, and applications may be considered until the position is filled.
The department will not be able to support a request for a J-1 waiver. If you choose to pursue a waiver and apply for our position, neither the UW nor UWMF will reimburse you for your legal or waiver fees.
The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. University sponsorship is not available for this position.
Leigh Fredericks, [email protected], 608-263-7735
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
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Public research university in Madison, WI
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public land-grant research university founded in 1848 in Madison, Wisconsin. Its teaching, research, and public-service mission is guided by the Wisconsin Idea.
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