Director of Bioethics

Position Title:

Position Type:

Hiring Range:

$102,800.0 - $105,000 annually; Compensation will be based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role and internal equity.

Pay Frequency:

Director of Bioethics

Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara University

This is a fixed-term position with an end date of 6/30/2026. This position may be extended or converted to a regular position depending on business needs and funding.  Possibility of working remotely, with regular visits to Santa Clara.

PURPOSE

The Director of Bioethics is responsible for the design and implementation of all programs in the bioethics program area at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. 

This program area explores the ethical issues in healthcare (including clinical ethics) and biotechnology as well as other aspects of bioethics.  The Director is responsible for identification, development, and execution of projects and activities, including supervising the Health Care Ethics Internship and associated staff as well as the Fellowship in Health Equity and Innovation in collaboration with Sutter Health / Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group, providing contracted ethics consultation services, pursuing opportunities for continuous program improvement and development, and building relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify and respond to key ethical issues in healthcare, including health care equity, biotechnology, particularly data analytics and artificial intelligence, and other areas of bioethics and public health and provide written commentary through blog posting, the Ethics Center website, local and national news outlets, and other means.  Lead in the continuous development and execution of partnerships and programming in the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics bioethics program area both on-campus and in the community
• Develop and execute content regarding ethical dilemmas encountered in health care and bioethics
• Build and sustain the bioethics program advisory council
• Respond as appropriate to media and other inquiries received by the Ethics Center. Create on-line and other educational content appropriate for stakeholders and the general public in the bioethics area
• Collaborate with the Director of External Relations to investigate funding opportunities and secure funds in support of the bioethics program in general and the Internship in particular

• Expand and manage a pipeline of participants to engage in bioethics activities and programs by building robust relationships with stakeholders in the Santa Clara University and Silicon Valley communities
• Provide ethics consultation services as required
• Provide direction to and further develop the Health Care Ethics Internship including developing and delivering content for reflection sessions and identifying new rotation opportunities
• Help arrange off-campus sites for health care ethics interns.
• Work on developing new consulting opportunities
• Work on contracting for consultation and Internship sites
• Prepare and manage the budget for the program area and Internship Additional duties as assigned by the Executive Director

PROVIDE WORK DIRECTION

• Supervise and provide on-going direction to the Honzel Fellow.
• Supervise and provide on-going direction to the Fellow in Health Equity and Innovation
• Supervise and provide on-going direction to the Hackworth Fellows in health care ethics
• Serve on hiring committees for staff and students as requested

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The items below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree required, Advanced education in bioethics as demonstrated by a master’s or doctoral degree; or, a relevant master’s or professional degree and demonstrated understanding of ethical analysis, preferably along with formal training in bioethics preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience and demonstrated skill in bioethics in an academic and/or health care setting or equivalent
• Experience in program design, evaluation, and continuous improvement, e.g., design thinking
• Experience and demonstrated skill in consultation, education, and policy (institutional and public) development in bioethics or equivalent, preferably in a hospital or other health care setting
• Experience and demonstrated teaching skill in university and/or professional environments or equivalent
• Experience and demonstrated skill in program administration

• Experience and demonstrated skill in qualitative and/or quantitative research in bioethics or equivalent
• Experience in contracting highly desirable
• Experience with Human Subject protocols highly desirable
• Excellent written and oral communications skills (general and professional audiences) including public speaking or equivalent
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders including social sector professionals, students, staff, and faculty
• Ability to lead in complex program development
• Ability to work collaboratively with Ethics Center staff, professionals, and community partners in a leadership position
• Ability to work within a diverse and multicultural work environment
• Understanding of the Jesuit commitment to social justice and to the education of the whole person
• Appreciation of and commitment to further the mission, values, and goals of Santa Clara University and the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, the California Fair Employment & Housing Act, and all other applicable laws, SCU provides reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities.  A qualified individual is a person who meets skill, experience, education, or other requirements of the position, and who can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Evening hours expected (10 evenings/quarter)
• Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer terminal
• May be required to travel to other buildings on the campus
• May be required to attend conference and training sessions within Bay Area or in- or out-of-state locations

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Typical office environment
• Mostly indoor office environment
• Offices with equipment noise
• Offices with frequent interruption

​Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and California State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Applications from members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, see https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/policies-reports/

Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Santa Clara University does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender, and prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internally or externally. Information about Title IX can be found at www.scu.edu/title-ix. Information about Section 504 and the ADA Coordinator can be found at https://www.scu.edu/oae/, (408) 554-4109, oae@scu.edu. Inquiries can also be made to the Assistant Secretary of Education within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).   

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please go to the Campus Safety Services  website . To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Santa Clara University affirms its commitment to employ qualified individuals with disabilities within the workplace and to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. All applicants desiring an accommodation should contact the Department of Human Resources, and 408-554-5750 and request to speak to Indu Ahluwalia by phone at 408-554-5750 or by email at iahluwalia@scu.edu.