Director of Simulation, Innovation, and Research

The Tanner College of Dental Medicine (TCDM) is seeking an open-rank, full-time faculty leadership position to serve as the Director of Simulation, Innovation, and Research.

The Director of Director of Simulation, Innovation, and Research will advance simulation-based education, educational innovation, and scholarly activity across the College, with primary responsibility for teaching and advancing preclinical simulation education in restorative dentistry.

This position will provide leadership in the development, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of simulation-based learning experiences throughout the DMD curriculum. Working collaboratively with course directors, faculty, academic leadership, Associate Deans, and other University partners, the Director will identify and implement innovative approaches to dental education, including the appropriate use of emerging technologies, digital dentistry, artificial intelligence, simulation, and other evidence-based educational methodologies.

The Director will also maintain an active program of scholarly activity and contribute to faculty and student scholarship in coordination with the Associate Dean of Research.

Primary Responsibilities:

Preclinical and Simulation-Based Education

• Teach assigned preclinical simulation courses, with primary responsibility for restorative dentistry.
• Provide direct instruction, demonstration, supervision, and feedback in foundational and advanced restorative dentistry procedures and techniques.
• Participate in the development and delivery of a vertically and horizontally integrated restorative dentistry curriculum.
• Develop simulation-based learning experiences that support competency development, clinical reasoning, psychomotor skills, treatment planning, and clinical readiness.
• Develop and implement competency-based exercises, practical examinations, and other assessments of student performance.
• Provide individualized feedback, remediation, and academic support to students requiring additional assistance in achieving preclinical competencies.
• Participate in faculty calibration to promote consistency in instruction, assessment, grading, and remediation.
• Collaborate with course directors and faculty to ensure appropriate integration of simulation experiences across the DMD curriculum.
• Incorporate contemporary restorative materials, digital workflows, CAD/CAM, 3D printing, and other relevant technologies into preclinical education, as appropriate.
• Contribute to the evaluation and continuous improvement of preclinical and simulation-based courses.

Simulation Program Leadership

• Provide faculty leadership for the development and continuous improvement of TCDM’s simulation-based educational program.
• Collaborate with academic leadership and faculty to establish and maintain a comprehensive simulation strategy aligned with the College’s competency-based curriculum.
• Evaluate simulation methodologies and technologies for their educational effectiveness and relevance to student learning.
• Promote effective and innovative use of haptic simulation, digital simulation, virtual and augmented reality, and other emerging simulation technologies.
• Develop opportunities to use simulation for clinical readiness, remediation, assessment, interdisciplinary learning, and continuing education.
• Establish and promote best practices for simulation instruction, student feedback, faculty calibration, and competency assessment.
• Work with appropriate faculty and staff to optimize the use of simulation facilities, equipment, software, and educational resources.
• Serve as a faculty resource for colleagues seeking to incorporate simulation into their courses.

Educational Innovation

• Lead faculty-level initiatives focused on innovation in teaching, learning, assessment, and clinical preparation.
• Identify and evaluate emerging educational technologies and methodologies that have the potential to enhance student learning.
• Support thoughtful and evidence-based applications of artificial intelligence in dental education.
• Promote innovative applications of digital dentistry, CAD/CAM, 3D printing, and other technologies within the curriculum.
• Develop and evaluate pilot educational initiatives and disseminate successful approaches throughout TCDM.
• Serve as a faculty champion for experimentation, evaluation, and continuous improvement in dental education.
• Facilitate faculty development related to simulation, innovative teaching methodologies, emerging technologies, and educational assessment.

Scholarly Activity and Research Collaboration

• Maintain an active program of scholarly activity consistent with faculty appointment and rank.
• Conduct and disseminate scholarly work related to simulation-based education, restorative dentistry, dental materials, digital dentistry, educational innovation, emerging technologies, or other areas of professional expertise.
• Mentor students and faculty in scholarly projects, presentations, publications, and other academic activities.
• Collaborate with the Associate Dean of Research and other faculty investigators on research projects aligned with TCDM priorities.
• Contribute to the development of research and scholarly proposals, when appropriate.
• Participate in peer-reviewed publications, professional presentations, research conferences, and other scholarly activities.
• Support opportunities for students to engage in research, innovation, and scholarly activities.
• Contribute to a culture of scholarly inquiry and evidence-based educational practice within TCDM.

Collaboration with CRET and Other Innovation Initiatives

• Collaborate with the Director of the CRET Innovation Center on appropriate educational innovation initiatives.
• Contribute expertise in simulation, digital dentistry, restorative dentistry, and emerging educational technologies to interdisciplinary projects.
• Support the evaluation of technologies and educational innovations that may be relevant to CRET initiatives.
• Participate in collaborative projects when they align with the Director’s academic and educational responsibilities.

Faculty and Student Development

• Mentor students in preclinical restorative dentistry and simulation-based learning.
• Provide faculty development in simulation instruction, competency-based assessment, restorative dentistry, digital dentistry, and educational innovation.
• Serve as a resource for faculty developing innovative learning experiences.
• Encourage student participation in research, innovation, scholarly presentations, and professional activities.
• Participate in student advising, mentoring, and other faculty responsibilities as assigned.

Assessment and Continuous Improvement

• Establish and monitor measures of effectiveness for simulation-based learning.
• Analyze student performance and assessment data to identify opportunities for improvement in preclinical education.
• Collaborate with course directors and academic leadership on continuous quality improvement.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of new simulation technologies and educational innovations before and after implementation.
• Contribute to curriculum review, program assessment, accreditation activities, and strategic planning, as appropriate.

Faculty Responsibilities

As a faculty member of TCDM, the Director will:

• Teach assigned preclinical and simulation-based restorative dentistry courses.
• Participate in course and curriculum development.
• Participate in student assessment, grading, calibration, remediation, and academic advising, as assigned.
• Participate in faculty meetings, committees, and institutional activities.
• Maintain professional development and scholarly activity appropriate to faculty rank.
• Participate in accreditation and quality improvement activities.
• Contribute to the academic and professional life of TCDM.

Minimum Qualifications

• DMD or DDS from a CODA-accredited institution, or equivalent dental degree.
• Demonstrated experience teaching preclinical, simulation-based, restorative, or prosthodontic dental education.
• Demonstrated experience in restorative dentistry and/or prosthodontics.
• Evidence of scholarly activity, such as peer-reviewed publications, presentations, research projects, or other scholarly contributions.
• Demonstrated interest or experience in educational innovation, simulation, digital dentistry, or emerging technologies.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and collaborative skills.
• Kentucky dental license or eligibility for a Kentucky dental license or faculty-limited license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced training or graduate education in prosthodontics, restorative dentistry, dental education, dental materials, or a related discipline.
  
• Experience directing or coordinating preclinical or simulation-based dental courses.
• Experience with competency-based dental education and assessment.
• Experience with digital dentistry, CAD/CAM, 3D printing, dental materials, or related technologies.
• Experience incorporating artificial intelligence or other emerging technologies into dental education.
• Demonstrated record of scholarly productivity.
• Experience mentoring students or faculty in scholarly activities.
• Demonstrated leadership in simulation education or educational innovation.
  

The University of Pikeville offers a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. UPIKE offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, telemedicine, long term disability, tuition waivers, a 403(b)-retirement plan, and HSA, FSA, & dependent care accounts. UPIKE also offers a generous holiday schedule and paid leave program.

Important Notes: 

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Applications received on or before 10/17/2026 will be given priority consideration.

Resume and other application materials will be reviewed to determine if you meet the required qualifications for the position. If it is determined that you meet the required qualifications, your application materials will be used to identify a top group of the most highly qualified candidates. Please, specifically address the qualifications, competencies and desired qualifications in your resume and application materials.

The University of Pikeville is committed to providing a safe and productive learning, living and working community. To achieve this goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history.

The University of Pikeville is an equal opportunity employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. The University of Pikeville does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age or disabilities in its programs, activities, hiring, or the admission of students.

For more information about the University of Pikeville, please visit http://www.upike.edu. In addition to the application, interested applicants are requested to attach to their application a letter of interest, current curriculum vitae, copies of their transcripts, and the contact information for three to five professional references.