Medical Director, Pediatric Phase 1 Clinical Trials Unit - Cancer Institute

Description

Outstanding Opportunity for Medical Director of Phase I Oncology Clinical Trials with
Prestigious Children's Health System in South Florida

Nicklaus Children's Health System and Nicklaus Children's Pediatric Specialists (NCPS), the health system's physician-led multispecialty group practice, have an outstanding opportunity for a visionary who is interested in actively shaping a growing program, expanding access to novel therapies, leading clinical trials, and contributing to translational research that will deliver the next generation of therapeutic breakthroughs for children and families in Florida and beyond.

Qualifications

• Board-certified, fellowship-trained pediatric hematologist-oncologist with a minimum of 5-7 years of experience
• Leadership experience in early phase (Phase I) oncology clinical trials and service as Principal Investigator
• on oncology trials
• Background providing clinical care to children and adolescents with cancer in a tertiary or quaternary
• pediatric setting
• Savvy in IND processes, FDA regulatory pathways, and good clinical practice in clinical research
• Prior program building or multi-site leadership in oncology clinical research
• Familiarity with cellular therapy, immunotherapy, or precision oncology platforms
• Established track record of extramural funding (federal, foundation, or industry)

Responsibilities

• Act as principal clinical and scientific leader
• Oversee the integrity, safety and growth of the early-phase portfolio
• Serve as PI on investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored Phase I trials
• Lead protocol development, safety monitoring, toxicity management, and DSMB reporting
• Ensure robust integration of translational science, biomarkers, and precision oncology approaches into study design and execution
• Manage IND submissions and FDA communication
• Maintain rigorous pharmacovigilance, and ensure compliance with federal, state, institutional, and incubator-specific requirements, aligning local operations with statewide Cancer Connect goals

Initiative Overview

The Nicklaus Children's Hospital Pediatric Cancer Research Initiative, supported through the Florida Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator, is a multiyear, state-funded effort to expand early-phase pediatric oncology trials, precision therapeutics, and statewide access to innovative cancer care for children and adolescents. The initiative is embedded within the Pediatric Early Phase (Phase I/first-in-child) Oncology Clinical Trials Program, positioning Nicklaus Children's as a leading site for high-risk and refractory malignancies and directly supporting the hospital's role within Florida's coordinated pediatric cancer strategy.

Academic Affiliation

Our academic affiliation is with Florida International University (FIU). This position includes eligibility to apply for a faculty appointment at FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.

Each year, Nicklaus Children's Hospital trains:

• 84 pediatric residents and 2 chief residents
• 49 subspecialty fellows in 17 distinct training programs

About Nicklaus Children's Health System Where Your Child Matters Most (tm)

For more than 75 years, Nicklaus Children's Health System has stood as a beacon of hope for children and families across the state of Florida and beyond. Nicklaus Children's Hospital is South Florida's #1 nonprofit, freestanding specialty licensed hospital exclusively for children. Nicklaus Children's provides pediatric care across a growing network of hospital and community-based partnerships, including within NCH North Hospital in Naples, Jupiter Medical Center, select Baptist Health Hospital pediatric emergency units, and Nicklaus Children's Hospital Fort Lauderdale and Nicklaus Children's Hospital Coral Springs, each located on the campuses of Broward Health. The hospitals and their network of more than 35 outpatient locations offer lifesaving care in Miami-Dade, Broward, Martin and Palm Beach counties. Outpatient locations include an array of urgent care, pediatric primary care and specialty care centers and are either hospital-based or outpatient locations under Nicklaus Children's Pediatric Specialists, LLC (NCPS). Providing a pipeline of future physicians and groundbreaking research, Nicklaus Children's is an academic and clinical affiliate of the Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and home to centers of excellence including the Helen & Jacob Shaham Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute, Orthopedic, Sports Medicine and Spine Institute, Neuroscience Institute and Heart Institute. The 474-bed system is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine, with many programs routinely ranked among the nation's best by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. Nicklaus Children's also includes a nonprofit physician practice subsidiary with more than 40 pediatric specialties and an ambulatory surgery center.

Discover South Florida

The communities in South Florida offer all the advantages of a tropical, diverse and metropolitan region. Enjoy abundant sunshine and warm weather year-round with easy access to numerous recreational opportunities, beaches, cultural and professional sporting venues, and international travel.

Qualifications

Application Process

Application review begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Nominations and applications, including a current CV and cover letter, may be submitted to Joyce Berger, Physician Recruiter at [email protected] or 786-501-6189. You may also apply online at careers.nicklaushealth.org or click the link below. All inquiries and applications will remain confidential.

Competitive compensation and a robust benefits package are included. Qualified candidates may apply online or contact:

Joyce Berger, Physician Recruiter
[email protected] or 786-501-6189
Nicklauschildrens.org

As required under the directive of House Bill 531 (2025) we are providing the link below to the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness website.

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