Chair, Department of Neurological Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University

Job Details

Thomas Jefferson University seeks a collaborative and visionary physician leader to serve as the next Chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, located on the University’s 13-acre campus in Center City Philadelphia.

Job Description

Reporting to the Dean of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, the Chair will uphold the Department’s legacy of innovation and excellence in education and clinical care at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals – most recently ranked #27 in the nation for Neurology & Neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report, jumping from #40 in 2023-24.

Overseeing the Department’s academic practice of 33 full-time clinical faculty, with a complement of 25 residents and 9 fellows, the Chair will shape neurosurgery into a unified and integrated model of care across Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals and Jefferson community-based hospitals, serving Greater Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware.

Working under the strategic guidance of the President of the Vickie & Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, the Chair will implement a vision for growth across the Neurosciences for Jefferson Health’s central region, encouraging interdisciplinarity to elevate Neurosurgery’s research enterprise and clinical innovation to new levels of prominence and impact to attract the nation’s top faculty and students.

The full, comprehensive position description can be found here.

Qualifications

• A clinically active physician leader with a national reputation in the field of Neurosurgery, supported by a track record of successfully securing external funding in support of impactful research and an outstanding record of scholarly contributions which merits appointment at the rank of associate or full professor at Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

• An administrative leader with an academic career trajectory showing increasing levels of administrative responsibilities, ideally culminating in serving as Chair, Vice Chair, or Division Chief for a department of Neurosurgery. A proven record of success in advancing departmental goals and initiatives, including a demonstrated capacity to support the growth and well-being of faculty, clinicians, and trainees – including the development and mentorship junior faculty.

• Fiscal management experience overseeing complex budgets and allocating resources efficiently to support strategic priorities.

• Demonstrated commitment to implementing equitable practices and fostering inclusive communities in all aspects of the Department’s mission – including the recruitment and career advancement of faculty, as well as patient care initiatives.

• An MD, DO, or MD/PhD degree, current board certification in Neurosurgical Surgery, and licensed/eligible to practice in the state of Pennsylvania.

For full consideration, applicants should submit a Statement of Interest (see guidance below) and detailed curriculum vitae to: Jennifer.Rumain@jefferson.edu by September 29, 2025. Confidential inquiries, expressions of interest, and nominations can be submitted to the same address. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

In their Statement of Interest, applicants should highlight their academic and clinical leadership experience and accomplishments and are encouraged to specifically address how they’ve contributed to:

• Strategically enhance and optimize access to meet the evolving needs of patients and communities.

• Emphasize interdisciplinary research collaborations and grow research congruent with a vibrant clinical strategy, e.g., expanding clinical trial opportunities by leveragin