Senior Principal Researcher, Health Informatics & Digital Health Innovation (0379U) - CITRIS

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The Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society and the Banatao Institute (CITRIS) leverage the research strengths of the University of California campuses at Berkeley, Davis, Merced and Santa Cruz, and operate within the greater ecosystem of the University and the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of Silicon Valley. We strengthen bridges between world-class laboratory research, state and national policymakers, and companies and startups creating new applications and reshaping entire industries. CITRIS and the Banatao Institute facilitate interdisciplinary work among hundreds of University of California faculty members, students, corporate partners, and international institutions. Together with these public and private partners, we are shaping the future of technology in ways that cross traditional boundaries.

With support from industry and private gifts, the State of California has invested in the establishment of four Governor Gray Davis Institutes for Science and Innovation. As one of these institutes, the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) is a $300M university, industry, and government partnership charged with having, through its research in information technology, a highly-visible, profound impact on the quality of life of the people, the growth of California-based industry, and the improved effectiveness of many agencies of the State. CITRIS is a four-campus institute comprising the Berkeley, Davis, Santa Cruz, and Merced campuses of the University of California. In addition to the Colleges of Engineering and Computer Sciences on these campuses, numerous other academic departments (e.g., UCD School of Nursing, UCD School of Medicine, and many others) are involved in the research of the Institute. Berkeley is the lead campus for the institute and all operational, administrative, and financial matters for the Institute are provided or coordinated from that campus. This position will serve as Senior Principal Researcher of the CITRIS Health Initiative, providing technical and operational facilitation of technology-enabled health research and innovation programs across all four campuses.

Duties will include: 1) fundraising with private and public organizations, including serving as Principal Investigator and writing grants to support faculty and graduate students in health and aging technologies and services; 2) coordinating and implementing collaborative programs between industry and academic partners; 3) ensuring that project activities work seamlessly, as appropriate, across all four CITRIS campuses; 4) acting as a CITRIS liaison to UC Davis Health clinical programs; 5) organizing conferences, workshops, etc. in the above domain areas, including digital health and age tech, with the aim of recruiting faculty, student, and industrial interest, showcasing research and advancing the field; and 6) expanding the reputation of CITRIS as an international leader in technology-enabled programs for health, aging and digital health innovation.

The Senior Principal Researcher will spearhead new CITRIS Health Initiative research, education and innovation programs by coordinating efforts of the four CITRIS campuses through the development of a Health AI, digital health and health informatics focus. This activity will include high-profile representation of CITRIS at international, national and California institutions; industry and philanthropic collaborations; as well as in representing CITRIS on state, national, and international advisory bodies, boards and associations.

This is a 50% FTE (half-time), 1-year contract appointment with the possibility of extension.

The First Review Date for this job is: May 15, 2026 - Open Until Filled

Strategic Research Leadership and Study Design

• Leads the conceptualization and execution of large, complex, multi-year digital health research programs with potential for regional or national impact.
• Contributes to strategic scientific priorities, in digital health innovation, including health informatics, patient-centered technologies, remote monitoring, health systems integration, and digital equity.
• Develops novel research frameworks and methodologies that contribute to the advancement of the field.
  Program Direction & Organizational Influence
• Provides high-level oversight for multiple research teams, labs, and collaborative programs across CITRIS UC campuses.
• Directs long-term strategic planning for CITRIS Health research initiatives, including staffing, technology development, and partnership strategy.
• Manages multimillion-dollar, multi-agency portfolios and ensures scientific integrity across all associated projects.
• Designs complex mixed-methods studies evaluating usability, implementation feasibility, clinical outcomes, and technology adoption across diverse populations.
• Oversees IRB protocols, data governance agreements, and ethical frameworks for digital health research, including culturally responsive and privacy-protective methods.

Program & Project Management

• Designs and oversees implementation of advanced informatics solutions, including interoperability across EHR systems, health information exchanges, mobile technologies, device data, and community-based platforms.
• Develops and validates digital tools and workflows integrated into real-world clinical and community-care ecosystems.
• Provides authoritative guidance to data architects, engineers, and analytics teams on data governance, modeling, and integration. Directs multi-year, multi-site digital health projects involving health systems, FQHCs, state agencies, and community partners.
• Oversees budgets, timelines, staffing plans, risk mitigation strategies, and project deliverables.
• Supervises research staff, analysts, coordinators, and student teams.

Data Management & Informatics Innovation

• Develops analytic frameworks integrating EHR, patient-reported outcomes, app analytics, device data, and community-level data.
• Guides the design of interoperable data exchange models (e.g., FHIR, HIE connectivity, digital referral systems).
• Leads analysis plans and works closely with statisticians and data engineers to interpret findings and ensure data validity.

Grant Leadership & Funding Strategy

• Serves as Principal Investigator (PI) on major NIH, NSF, PCORI, HRSA, foundation, industry, and state-funded projects, directing all scientific and administrative aspects.
• Leads development of large-scale center grants, multi-institutional proposals, and cross-disciplinary initiatives exceeding NIH senior salary thresholds.
• Guides junior investigators and faculty on grant strategy, proposal writing, and career development.

High-Level Stakeholder Engagement

• Serves as scientific liaison to state and federal agencies, major health systems, community organizations, and technology vendors.
• Develops and sustains collaborative partnerships with community health organizations, clinics, technology developers, industry, and public agencies.
• Leads co-design sessions with patients, clinicians, caregivers, and underserved communities to ensure technology relevance and usability.
• Develops data-sharing agreements, technology integration, and statewide digital health pilots.
• Represents CITRIS Health on national advisory panels, expert committees, community coalitions, and policy forums related to digital health innovation.

Scholarly & Translational Contributions

• Produces influential peer-reviewed publications, thought leadership pieces, and national conference presentations.
• Translates research findings into implementable workflows, toolkits, policy recommendations, and scalable digital health solutions.
• Mentors postdoctoral scholars, junior faculty, graduate researchers, and implementation teams.

Strategic CITRIS Health Leadership & Institutional Contribution

• Contributes to CITRIS Health leadership on emerging digital health trends, research priorities, equity frameworks, and partnership strategy.
• Contributes to CITRIS-wide initiatives, cross-campus collaborations, and strategic planning processes.
• Mentors junior faculty, graduate researchers, and postdoctoral fellows in health informatics research.

• PhD in health profession, engineering or related scientific discipline, and/or a Master's degree from an appropriate discipline, e.g. business, engineering, public health.
• Industry experience in areas related to healthcare and long-term care technologies, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, presentations, professional accomplishments, references, etc.
• Travel is a key part of this position, and a valid driver's license is required.
• Academic background and recognized expertise in healthcare, AI, healthcare informatics and aging technology and services.
• Outstanding ability to communicate and persuade clearly and effectively in many media and formats (oral, writing, email, presentation, proposal, etc.)
• Demonstrated and excellent ability to persuade and influence without the need to invoke authority.
• Experience with corporate strategy and organizational management of technology investments in business and healthcare services.
• Demonstrated experience in building collaborations between academia, tech industry, healthcare industry, government, and/or non-profits for proposals, projects, or larger initiatives.
• Extensive expertise and success in academic research in healthcare and aging/long-term care.
• Demonstrated technical skills and academic knowledge to suggest approaches to solving novel problems at the intersection of health services, aging and long-term care services, medicine, and nursing, with advanced AI and information technology solutions.
• Ability to coordinate the varied and sometimes competing requirements associated with managing an innovative program in a university environment.
• Ability to respond to short term, often unexpected, opportunities for program development provided by faculty participants or external supporters or advisors.
• Ability to develop convincing materials (slide presentations and public relations literature, for example) to clearly and effectively communicate the goals and vision of the program to potential students, investigators, key stakeholders, and advisors. Ability to convey concepts to staff, researchers, policy makers and other key stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work with dynamic and diverse group of faculty, staff and students in a university environment.
• Fundraising experience, including self-funding in an academic environment.
• Sound negotiation skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel, sometimes internationally.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $138,200 to $228,000 yearly, prorated to $69,000 to $114,000 yearly based on FTE. This is a 50% FTE, 1-year contract position eligible for benefits. This position is FLSA Exempt and paid monthly.

This is a 50% FTE (half-time), 1-year contract appointment with the possibility of extension.

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.