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Division Chief of Genetics & Metabolism

University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI

Posted Mar 2, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

The posting says strong leadership matters most. Tell me about a time you led a team through change.

What they are checking: Whether they have real leadership experience, not just clinical or research accomplishment.

How do you encourage and empower faculty with very different career goals?

What they are checking: Whether they support each faculty member's development rather than a single model.

Tell me about your research program and how you would keep it going as chief.

What they are checking: Whether they can balance their own scholarship with leadership duties.

What would you do

What would you want the Division of Genetics and Metabolism to look like in five years?

What they are checking: Whether they have a vision for growing clinical, educational and research programs.

Genetic testing demand keeps growing. How do you manage clinic access and wait times?

What they are checking: Whether they can solve real operational problems in a busy pediatric genetics service.

How do you explain a new diagnosis of a rare metabolic disorder to a family?

What they are checking: Whether they communicate complex, frightening news clearly and compassionately.

How would you recruit faculty to a small, specialized division?

What they are checking: Whether they can attract talent in a field with a limited workforce.

How do you handle a faculty member who is unhappy with their clinical assignments?

What they are checking: Whether they address concerns fairly while keeping the division's needs covered.

About the work

How do you work with genetic counselors, dietitians and other staff in metabolic care?

What they are checking: Whether they value and coordinate a team-based model of care.

How do you teach residents and medical students about genetics in a meaningful way?

What they are checking: Whether they can make genetics practical for future physicians.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process. Job Category: Academic Staff Employment Type: Regular Job Profile: Assistant Professor (CHS) Job Summary: The Division of Genetics & Metabolism within the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) is seeking an academic Geneticist to assume the role of Division Chief of Genetics & Metabolism. This is an opportunity for a full-time Professor, Associate Professor, or late-stage Assistant Professor. We seek a leader with enthusiasm for academic medicine who will encourage, inspire, and empower division members. The Division Chief provides strategic and operational leadership; oversees divisional faculty and staff; spearheads the expansion of clinical, education, and research programs; and guides faculty professional development. Strong leadership skills are essential and a physician with an active research program would be ideal, but is not a requirement. This is an opportunity to teach and mentor medical students, residents, and other trainees, thereby shaping the next generation of medical professionals. Opportunities exist for clinical research in the candidate's area/s of interest. The candidate will lead dedicated disease-specific research staff and have access to substantial programmatic research funds. • This position is full-time, 100% • This position requires work to be completed onsite, at a designated campus work location. • This position has been identified as a position of trust with access to vulnerable populations. The selected candidate will be required to pass an initial caregiver check to be eligible for employment under the Wisconsin Caregiver Law and every four years. • Applicants for this position will be considered for the titles: Professor (CHS), Associate Professor (CHS), Assistant Professor (CHS), Clinical Professor, Clinical Associate Professor, or Clinical Assistant Professor. The title is determined by the experience and qualifications of the finalist. • This vacancy is being announced simultaneously with JR10008941: please note that only one vacancy exists. Having two job postings allows the School of Medicine and Public Health to consider candidates with both tenure-track faculty credentials and non-tenure-track faculty credentials for this position. Key Job Responsibilities: Physicians hired on the Clinical Health Sciences (CHS) track will participate in administrative and committee work to support the clinical and scholarly missions of UW Health and the School of Medicine and Public Health. An essential part of these duties will be working in a collegial relationship with other faculty members. The Division Chief will provide strategic and operational leadership with responsibility over all of the division's operations across all missions (clinical, teaching, research, and advocacy). The position will develop, implement, and evaluate strategies to advance strategic priorities in all missions as well as encourage faculty career progression according to the SMPH and UW–Madison Appointment and Promotion Criteria. The position will promote and support the advancement of a diverse faculty on all tracks as well as a welcoming and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Clinical expectations include providing general genetics and/or metabolic pediatric patient care, staffing clinics at the Waisman Center, and call coverage at UW Health Kids American Family Children’s Hospital. Carry out independent research/scholarly activity in an area of interest (CHS Track only). Department: School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics & Metabolism Compensation: Negotiable, 12 month Required Qualifications: • Candidate must be an experienced academic physician with demonstrated excellence in research, education, service, and/or clinical care. Must possess a record of scholarly achievements, outstanding leadership skills, professionalism, and ability to develop interdisciplinary, collaborative programs. • Board certification or board eligibility in the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ABMGG) in Clinical Genetics and/or Clinical or Medical Biochemical Genetics and is required by the appointment start date. • Completion of an ACGME-approved pathway for categorical training in a medical genetics and genomics residency or combined ACGME primary specialty (e.g. pediatrics, internal medicine)/Medical Genetics and Genomics residency training program is required by the appointment start date. • The candidate is required to have a Wisconsin medical license by the appointment start date. • Must be eligible for enrollment as a billing provider and for all necessary hospital privileges by the appointment start date. Preferred Qualifications: • Completion of a Medical Biochemical Genetics fellowship program is preferred but not required. • For an appointment at Associate Professor or Professor rank on the CHS Track or CT Track, candidates will meet criteria established by the department and as outlined in the School of Medicine and Public Health guidelines for promotion or appointment to Associate or Professor on the CHS or CT Track. Education: MD, DO, or equivalent is required How to Apply: For the best experience completing your application, we recommend using Chrome or Firefox as your web browser. To apply for this position, select either “I am a current employee” or “I am not a current employee” under Apply Now . You will then be prompted to upload your application materials. Important: The application has only one attachment field. Upload all required documents in that field, either as a single combined file or as multiple files in the same upload area. Upload required documents: • CV • Cover Letter Containing: • Your interest in joining the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health’s Department of Pediatrics as the Division Chief of Genetics & Metabolism • Your qualifications and experience in Clinical Genetics • Your leadership experience. The deadline for assuring full consideration is May 1, 2026; however, the position will remain open, and applications may be considered until the position is filled. The department will not be able to support a request for a J-1 waiver. If you choose to pursue a waiver and apply for our position, neither the UW nor UWMF will reimburse you for your legal or waiver fees. The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. University sponsorship is not available for this position. Contact Information: Leigh Fredericks, leigh.fredericks@wisc.edu , 608-263-7735 Institutional Statement on Diversity: Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website . To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you. Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment. The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department .

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