Research Medical Director

Company/Institution:	Froedtert ThedaCare
Location:	Appleton, WI, USA
Degree Requirements:		Salary:	$300,000 or above
Job Type:		Posted:	August 13, 2026
Job Setting:		Application Period:	August 13-December 31, 2026

ThedaCare is seeking an academically driven physician leader to serve as Research Medical Director for the ThedaCare Cancer Center and the Froedtert ThedaCare enterprise North Region. This executive medical leadership role combines strategic vision, clinical research oversight, physician mentorship, operational partnership, and formal academic alignment with the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) Cancer Center.

The Medical Director will help build a balanced, high-impact clinical trial portfolio; integrate research more deeply into everyday cancer care; strengthen regulatory and operational performance; and create durable pathways for collaboration across ThedaCare, Froedtert, and MCW. The role offers the opportunity to advance a regionally and nationally recognized platform for community-based oncology research while maintaining meaningful clinical and academic engagement.

The role allows for customization of clinical, research and administrative efforts based on a candidate’s professional strengths and interests.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a collaborative, credible physician executive who combines scientific curiosity with operational discipline. This leader will be energized by the opportunity to build, align, and mentor—working across organizational boundaries to translate strategy into better access, stronger research performance, and improved outcomes for patients.

Required Qualifications

•    MD or DO with board certification in Hematology, Oncology, and/or Radiation Oncology
• Current or eligible Wisconsin medical licensure.
• Administrative or leadership experience with demonstrated success in program development, strategic implementation, and physician mentorship.
• Strong knowledge of clinical research processes and procedures, including active involvement with cooperative clinical trial groups.
• Prior service as a Principal Investigator or Site Principal Investigator, with sustained participation in cooperative group and/or industry-sponsored trials.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize a research portfolio, optimize accrual, and uphold rigorous regulatory and operational standards.
• Excellent communication, consensus-building, analytical, and relationship-development skills.
• Recognized clinical expertise and a documented record of clinical and/or academic contribution.

Preferred Attributes

• Experience or strong interest in academic collaboration, translational research, and clinical trial leadership within an academic-community partnership.
• A systems perspective that connects scientific goals, clinical operations, financial stewardship, and patient access.
• A visible, inclusive leadership style that develops investigators and teams, invites collaboration, and creates accountability.
• The judgment and executive presence to represent the North Region in enterprise and national research forums.

The Unique Opportunity

Few physician leadership roles offer this combination of strategic influence, academic connection, community reach, and opportunity to build. The Research Medical Director will inherit meaningful partnerships and an ambitious vision—and will have the mandate to shape the structures, portfolio, talent, and culture required for the next stage of growth.

• Lead within a growing regional cancer program committed to integrating research with exceptional clinical care.
• Help define a unified research enterprise across ThedaCare, Froedtert, and MCW while preserving responsiveness to local communities.
• Use academic infrastructure to expand innovation and use community reach to broaden who benefits from research.
• Create a lasting platform for investigator development, scholarly productivity, and sustainable clinical trial growth.
• Improve access to advanced therapies for patients throughout Northeast Wisconsin—closer to where they live.

About the Employer

Froedtert ThedaCare is an integrated healthcare system serving nearly half of Wisconsin’s population. Its 28,000+ team members, physicians, and clinicians are transforming communities through prediction, prevention, and partnerships with excellence in primary and specialty care in 20 hospitals and more than 360 outpatient locations. Together with the Medical College of Wisconsin, we form the region’s only academic medical center, providing the foundation for groundbreaking medical research and excellence in education to accelerate discovery and drive innovation. The system is uniquely positioned to be the trusted partner in advancing the health of our communities.

Contact Information

Megan Stumbris
3 Neenah Center
Neenah, WI 54956 USA
megan.stumbris@thedacare.org

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