Description
Position Summary
The University of Minnesota Medical School (UMN) seeks an accomplished movement disorders neurologist to serve as Director, Division of Movement Disorders. This is a senior academic leadership role overseeing one of the nation’s most comprehensive clinical, research, and educational programs in movement disorders and neuromodulation.
The incoming leader will oversee a growing division with a strong clinical foundation, advanced neuromodulation surgery program, NIH-supported laboratories, and an ACGME-recognized Movement Disorders Fellowship.
Reporting directly to the Chair of the Department of Neurology, Jerrold L. Vitek, MD, PhD, a recognized neuromodulation pioneer, the Division Director of Movement Disorders will lead one of the nation’s premier translational ecosystems in Parkinson’s disease and neuromodulation. This leadership role advances clinical excellence, innovative neuromodulation therapies, multidisciplinary care, and NIH-funded research within a top-tier academic environment.
The division is currently leading and participating with several nationally distinguished resources—including the Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence in Parkinson’s Disease Research, the Neuromodulation Research Center (NMRC), the Movement Disorders and Motor Neurophysiology Laboratories, the Center for Neural Engineering and UMN’s world-leading Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR)—providing unparalleled opportunities for clinical and translational science and innovation in deep brain stimulation, gait and balance research, neurophysiology, imaging, and device-based therapy.
The Division Director will lead the Division of Movement Disorders in in work that is also supported by a robust multidisciplinary team of neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, rehabilitation specialists, engineers, scientists, and research staff serving a diverse population of more than 3.5 million across the Twin Cities region. Protected academic and research time is available and will be structured to support leadership responsibilities, scholarly productivity, and program growth.
Key Program Highlights
World-class leadership under Jerrold Vitek, MD, PhD a global authority in DBS, neuromodulation, and basal ganglia research, and Director of the UMN Udall Center.
NINDS-designated Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence in Parkinson’s Disease Research—Advancing mechanistic understanding and next-generation neuromodulation therapies.
Neuromodulation Research Center (NMRC): A national referral center with integrated neurology–neurosurgery–engineering collaboration, advanced intra-operative neurophysiology, adaptive/closed-loop DBS development, and strong industry partnerships.
Movement Disorders and Motor Neurophysiology Laboratories, led by Colum MacKinnon, PhD and Scott Cooper, MD, PhD, supporting cutting-edge human motor control, gait, balance, cortical/subcortical physiology, quantitative kinematics/EMG, and advanced imaging studies.
Robust multidisciplinary DBS program supported by 3 functional neurosurgeons, allied health, neuropsychology, PT/OT/SLP, and dedicated clinical research coordinators.
Strong clinical trials and research infrastructure, supported by research leadership, Jeremy Duncan, PhD, Research Director, the MNDRIVE Brain Conditions Initiative, and department-wide regulatory/IRB support staff.
ACGME-recognized Movement Disorders Fellowship, with one to two fellows training annually in a two-year program, supported by strong existing industry partnerships and the potential for future expansion (AbbVie, Abbott, Medtronic, Boston Scientific).
Diverse patient population serving a clinic footprint both in the central University site and suburban clinical settings associated with M Health Fairview.
Access to unmatched institutional research infrastructure, including the 10.5T human MRI at CMRR, biomedical engineering, neuroengineering, genomics, stem cell research, and statewide MnDRIVE partnerships.
Position Responsibilities
The Division Director will be charged with advancing UMN’s national leadership in movement disorders and neuromodulation while scaling clinical impact, research productivity, multidisciplinary collaboration, and program visibility. The Division Director will provide strategic leadership and oversight of the clinical, research, educational, and operational missions of the Division of Movement Disorders, including but not limited to:
Lead and further grow the Division’s clinical programs, ensuring continued excellence and innovation in the diagnosis and management of Parkinson’s disease, tremor, dystonia, ataxia, atypical parkinsonism, and related disorders
Expand and enhance the Division’s already strong clinical research and clinical trials portfolio, increasing participation in device-based, pharmacologic, neuromodulation, and translational studies, and integrating research efficiently within clinical workflows and with project principal investigators and research teams
Foster and strengthen translational and clinical research programs, including deep brain stimulation (DBS), adaptive/closed-loop neuromodulation, neuroengineering partnerships, gait and balance circuitry research, advanced imaging/connectomics, and wearable/remote monitoring technologies.
Cultivate a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing culture, promoting excellent communication, interdisciplinary teamwork, and alignment across neurology, neurosurgery, neuropsychology, rehabilitation, engineering, and allied health teams.
Mentor, recruit, and support faculty, fellows, and residents, promoting academic productivity, leadership development, and professional growth in movement disorders, neuromodulation, and clinical investigation.
Collaborate with the Movement Disorders Fellowship Program Director, ensuring excellence in curriculum, trainee experience, recruitment, and strategic expansion toward two fellows per year.
Partner closely with health system leadership and neurosurgery to optimize DBS workflows, referral networks, evaluation pathways, and patient experience, supporting continued growth of neuromodulation services and surgical volume.
Support departmental and institutional leadership in strategic planning, resource allocation, quality improvement initiatives, and broader programmatic development across the Department of Neurology and the Medical School.
Serve as the Division’s representative locally, regionally, and nationally, enhancing program visibility, cultivating referral relationships, and promoting the Division as a leader in movement disorders and neuromodulation.
Candidate Qualifications
Required Qualifications
MD, DO, or equivalent degree; board-certified/board-eligible in Neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN).
Fellowship training in Movement Disorders or equivalent advanced expertise, with demonstrated excellence in the diagnosis and management of Parkinson’s disease, tremor, dystonia, ataxia, and related conditions.
Eligibility for medical licensure in the State of Minnesota.
Strong clinical expertise in movement disorders.
Proven track record of scholarly productivity—clinical, translational, or basic science—sufficient for appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor on the clinical track.
Demonstrated ability to lead or contribute to clinical research or clinical trials; experience integrating research workflows into clinical care is strongly preferred.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to foster collaboration across neurology, neurosurgery, neuropsychology, rehabilitation, engineering, and allied health teams.
A leadership style characterized by emotional intelligence, transparency, humility, and team-orientation, capable of cultivating a positive culture and guiding a diverse multidisciplinary workforce.
Commitment to education, mentorship, and academic development of trainees, residents, fellows, and junior faculty.
Preferred Qualifications
Prior leadership experience (e.g., fellowship director, section chief, PI of funded research, clinical trials leadership, or equivalent) in an academic medical center.
Experience with industry-sponsored research partnerships.
Demonstrated ability to build high-quality referral relationships and represent a program regionally or nationally.
Familiarity with NIH-funded research programs, clinical trial execution, regulatory processes, or multidisciplinary research collaborations.
Experience managing or participating in fellowship programs, curriculum development, or graduate medical education leadership.
Interest or experience in innovative care delivery models, remote monitoring, wearable technology, AI-driven programming, or patient-centered pathway design.
Physician–scientist or clinical trialist background with the ability to bridge clinical care, translational research, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Why University of Minnesota?
The University of Minnesota is home to one of the nation’s most comprehensive neuroscience and neuromodulation ecosystems. UMN hosts the Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence, the Neuromodulation Research Center, the Movement Disorders and Motor Neurophysiology Laboratories, and the world-leading Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR)—providing unmatched access to advanced neuroimaging, physiology, engineering, and translational research tools.
The Department of Neurology is nationally recognized for neuromodulation and movement disorders research and is strategically growing its clinical and translational footprint. With a strong referral base across the Twin Cities and broader Midwest, the Division serves over 3.5 million people, supporting substantial clinical volume and opportunities to expand clinical trials, neuromodulation programs, and subspecialty clinics.
Located in the vibrant Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area—home to Medical Alley, the highest concentration of medical device companies in the U.S.—UMN offers unique opportunities for industry collaboration, biomedical engineering partnership, device development, and innovation in movement disorders.
Strategic Opportunities for the Incoming Division Director:
Grow and systematize clinical trials infrastructure, leveraging existing MNDRIVE support and strong departmental research cores.
Support the Movement Disorders Fellowship and strengthen clinical education across the residency program.
Increase visibility and national branding of the UMN movement disorders program, capitalizing on Udall designation and strong outcomes data.
Lead cross-disciplinary growth in neuromodulation—including device-based therapies, closed-loop DBS, gait/balance modulation, and AI-driven programming.
Strengthen external partnerships (industry, referring systems, philanthropy, device manufacturers).
Develop multidisciplinary care pathways including atypical parkinsonism, dystonia, ataxia, Huntington’s disease, and advanced therapeutics (e.g., infusion therapies, gene/stem-cell trials).
Continue to expand the DBS surgical volume in partnership with neurosurgery and referring networks.
University & Health System Overview
The University of Minnesota Medical School is a nationally recognized research institution with historic contributions to medical innovation—including the first open-heart surgery, first bone marrow transplant, and the world’s first stem cell institute. Its three campuses in Minneapolis–St. Paul, St. Cloud and Duluth support comprehensive medical education and training.
Founded in 1888, the University of Minnesota Medical School educates students and graduate physicians, provides patient care, and performs biomedical and clinical research.
We offer medical, graduate and undergraduate degree programs, as well as continuing professional development. Our Medical School is one of the largest in the country, with two campuses based in the Twin Cities and Duluth, Minnesota. The Twin Cities campus is an interdisciplinary research center. Our Duluth campus educates 130 first and second-year medical students committed to practicing in rural or American Indian communities.
Fairview Health Services, the University’s current clinical partner, together with University of Minnesota Physicians, forms a large academic health system with 10 hospitals, 100+ primary care clinics, and statewide referral networks. University of Minnesota Medical Center (UMMC), ranked #1 for hospitals in the Twin Cities Metro, serves as a quaternary care destination for complex neurological and neurosurgical care.
How to Apply
Academic Med
The University of Minnesota Medical School has retained Academic Med to lead this national search. Academic Med is a retained executive search firm specializing in the recruitment of physicians, scientists, and senior leaders for academic medical schools and health systems across the United States. This search is being led by Gentry Zacheis, President of Academic Med and supported by Stacy Olsen, Chief of Staff at Academic Med.
The Academic Med search team will work closely with Jerrold Vitek, MD, PhD, Chair of the Department of Neurology, and the appointed Search Committee members throughout the recruitment process.
Application Instructions
Please submit a CV and cover letter via email to Stacy Olsen, Chief of Staff at Academic Med via: solsen@academic-med.com
Application review will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
EEO/AA
The University of Minnesota is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution committed to excellence through diversity. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other status or classification protected by federal, state, or local law. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
