Do you envision finding a meaningful role with an inclusive and compassionate team? At Children’s Mercy, we believe in making a difference in the lives of all children and shining a light of hope to the patients and families we serve. Our employees make the difference, which is why we have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top pediatric hospital, for eleven consecutive years.
Children’s Mercy is in the heart of Kansas City – a metro abounding in cultural experiences, vibrant communities and thriving businesses. This is where our patients and families live, work and play. This is a community that has embraced our hospital and we strive to say thanks by giving back. As a leader in children’s health, we engage in meaningful programs and partnerships throughout the region so that we can improve the lives of children beyond the walls of our hospital.
Children’s Mercy Kansas City is seeking an outstanding Doctoral Research Faculty member to join the Ward Family Heart Center Research Program and be a pivotal member of the Pre-Clinical Research Track within a growing and nationally recognized cardiovascular research enterprise.
The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining an innovative and externally funded research program focused on pediatric cardiovascular disease. As member of the Pre-Clinical Research Track, the candidate will develop and lead translational research initiatives that bridge basic science and clinical application. Research efforts will leverage the extensive resources of the Ward Family Heart Center Biorepository and the Children’s Mercy Research Institute (CMRI) to advance understanding of the genomic and molecular basis of congenital and acquired pediatric heart disease.
Key areas of investigation may include but not limited to genomic and epigenomic underpinnings of congenital heart disease; patient-derived cellular and organoid models; precision medicine approaches; novel therapeutic development and testing; and large-scale genomic analyses conducted in collaboration with CMRI’s Genomic Medicine Center. The successful candidate will have opportunities to investigate diverse patient populations, including but not limited to:
We welcome applications from exceptional early-career and mid-career investigators with a doctoral degree (MD/PhD, PhD, PharmD, ScD, or equivalent). Apart from a track-record in cardiovascular research, competitive candidates will demonstrate expertise in one or more of the following areas:
The ideal candidate will share our commitment to building a premier translational cardiovascular research program that integrates scientific discovery with excellence in pediatric patient care.
Primary Responsibilities
About the Ward Family Heart Center Research Program
The Ward Family Heart Center Research Program has been active for more than a decade and is entering an exciting period of expansion. In 2025, Dr. Jon Wagner, an independently funded physician-scientist specializing in precision medicine and optimization of cardiovascular therapeutics, was recruited to develop a world-class translational cardiovascular research program. Building on the strengths of the Children’s Mercy Research Institute (CMRI), this initiative aims to accelerate scientific discovery while fostering innovative collaborations across disciplines.
The program is organized into three complementary research tracks that collectively support the development of a nationally recognized pediatric cardiovascular research center:
The Clinical and Diagnostic Trials Track is led by David White, PhD, an NIH-funded investigator whose research focuses on the impact of physical activity interventions in patients with repaired congenital heart disease.
The Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Track is led by Natalie Jayaram, MD, an NIH-funded investigator whose work examines the impact of interventions, processes of care, and public policies on outcomes in congenital heart disease patients.
The Children’s Mercy Heart Center serves a population of over 5 million in the heart of the U.S.A. We perform over 500 cardiac operations, 600 cardiac catheterizations including over 200 invasive EP procedures, 18,000 outpatient visits, and more than 20,000 echocardiograms annually. Our two state-of the art catheterization labs are both hybrid labs and equipped with the latest 3D imaging and EP technology. Telehealth is available and facilitates our outreach clinics. We have video-conferencing capabilities that are routinely used by providers from distant locations to dial into our conferences for patient care and education.
Our Kansas City-based super-specialty resources include Electrophysiology (which includes Clinical EP, pacing and Genetic Arrhythmia), Cardiac Transplantation/Heart Failure, Interventional Cardiology and Advanced Cardiac Imaging (fetal echo, 3D echo, trans-esophageal echo, CT, MRI and 3D printing). We also provide specialized, team-based care in Fetal Cardiology (with on-site delivery services for high-risk neonates in Kansas City), Interstage Monitoring (CHAMP), Preventive Cardiology, Cardiac Genetics, Cardio-oncology, Single Ventricle Survivorship, Pulmonary Hypertension, a dedicated POTS clinic and Cardiac Neurodevelopmental services.
This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of pediatric cardiovascular research within a collaborative environment that combines outstanding clinical programs, robust research infrastructure, extensive biorepository resources, and a strong institutional commitment to innovation, discovery, and mentorship.
Please apply online with a CV and Cover Letter, or send to physicianjobs@cmh.edu.
For more information about Children’s Mercy Kansas City and about Kansas City itself, visit cmkc.link/TakeYourPlace.
The successful applicant must share our unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, collegiality, antiracism, and respect for inclusion of individuals with diverse backgrounds.
At Children’s Mercy, we are committed to ensuring that everyone feels welcomed within our walls. A successful candidate for this position will join us as we strive to create a workplace that reflects the community we serve, as well as our core values of kindness, curiosity, inclusion, team and integrity.
Additionally, it’s important to us that we remain transparent with all potential job candidates. Because we value the safety of the patients and families we serve, as well as the Children’s Mercy staff, we want to let you know that the seasonal influenza vaccine is a condition of employment for all employees in our organization. New employees must be willing to be vaccinated if found non-immune to measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and chicken pox (varicella) and/or without evidence of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination since 2005. If you are selected for this position, you will be asked to supply your immunization records as proof of vaccination. If you and have any concerns about receiving these vaccines, medical and/or religious exemptions can be further discussed with Human Resources.
Children’s Mercy hires individuals based on their job skills, expertise and ability to maintain professional relationships with fellow employees, patients, parents and visitors. A personal interview, formal education and training, previous work experience, references and a criminal background investigation are all factors used to select the best candidates. The hospital does not discriminate against prospective or current employees based on the race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, creed, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry or veteran status. A drug screen will be performed upon hire. Children’s Mercy is smoke and tobacco free.
CM is committed to creating a workforce that supports the diverse backgrounds of our patients and families. We know that our greatest strengths come from the people who make up our team, so we hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our hospital stronger and our patient care more compassionate.
If you share our values and our enthusiasm for service, you will find a home at CM. In recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring, including education, ideas, culture, and beliefs.
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