ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT

Overview

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH

OPPORTUNITY

The University of Virginia’s Office of the Vice President for Research (VPR) seeks a visionary leader to help grow the size and impact of University research by creating opportunities for and supporting discovery and innovation by University researchers through research development.

KEY PRIORITIES

The Associate Vice President for Research Development (AVPRD) works closely with the VPR and develops and leads the activities, operation, and staff of the research development team, including the creation of a proposal development unit. In this executive role, the successful candidate aggressively and consistently pursues research opportunities for University researchers from federal and state agencies, industry, and foundations. Other key responsibilities include:

•    Working closely with University-wide efforts to implement strategies for faculty research  training and leadership development. The successful candidate will support new training programs that help faculty who are early in their research career to develop and/or improve their skills in writing winning proposals. This individual will also analyze faculty grant performances and consider mechanisms to assist mid-career faculty to maintain or revive research funding levels;

•    Striving to generate new streams of research support from federal, state, foundation, and Industrial sources. The successful candidate will work with researchers and staff to improve proposals and packages to seek/secure funding;

•    Nurturing multi-disciplinary projects corresponding to the University’s strategic research initiatives, including support for large-scale projects through strategy development, technical writing, and budget creation;

•    Working with University researchers and the UVA Licensing & Ventures Group to translate discoveries to the marketplace, creating intellectual, economic, and societal impacts;

•    Administering strategic seed funding initiatives to facilitate interdisciplinary research at the University with high potential for future external support. The successful candidate will also analyze performance of seed funding efforts;

•    Managing the Pan-University Institutes that report to the VPR and working with the Provost Office to provide coordination for establishing, continuing, and evaluating all centers and institutes;

•    In partnership with the schools, developing creative and financially feasible strategies to maximize the efficacy of shared research facilities and equipment across the university and potentially across institutions in the Commonwealth of Virginia;

•    Partnering with the research roundtable (associate deans for research from all schools at the university, executive director for the Applied Research Institute, and assistant vice president for research administration) to identify issues, solve problems, and establish new programs in research operations;

•    Representing the VPR and the office of the VPR at meetings and functions as needed, especially in facilitating research collaborations across Virginia’s research institutions.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS

A competitive applicant for the AVPRD role will possess:

•          a PhD or terminal degree preferred;

•          the ability to work in a team-based environment to achieve common goals;

•    the ability to quickly develop knowledge and appreciation for the breadth of University research, academic excellence, creative works, and innovation strengths;

•          the ability to think strategically and independently with a keen attention to detail;

•    a successful track record in sponsored research and submission of multi-investigator proposals for external funding;

•          outstanding oral and written communication skills;

•          a history of mentoring and developing researchers in and beyond their own discipline;

•          the ability to cultivate relationships and build high-performing teams.

•    they will have explicit evidence of commitment to diversity and track record of advancing the scholarship of faculty from underrepresented groups.

The ideal candidate may possess varied experience in and/or understanding of:

•    funding agencies that support university research, as well as industrial, NGO, and foundation partners;

•          university technology commercialization processes and intellectual property;

•          extramural funding of research programs.

Qualified candidates may also be considered for a faculty appointment in an appropriate department and school at the University of Virginia commensurate with qualifications and experience.

TO APPLY OR NOMINATE

To express interest or to nominate an individual for this opportunity, please contact Susan Gaines, Senior Search Consultant, at susangaines@virginia.edu or Ashley Milligan, Search Consultant, at anm4f@virginia.edu.

The search process will be carried out with full confidentiality.

The University of Virginia welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities; we seek to build a culturally diverse intellectual environment. In alignment with President Ryan’s UVa strategic plan, the VPR’s Office is committed to recruiting talented and diverse doctoral students, post-doctoral fellows, faculty and staff.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.