Associate Dean of Research and Innovation
Overview
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Associate Dean of Research and Innovation
Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences
Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T) in its search for Associate Dean of Research and Innovation within the Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences.
For full consideration, please apply by November 12, 2026.
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is in a period of continued growth and investment in research, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. As the University advances its ambitious research agenda and pursuit of R1 status, faculty earned $113.3 million in research funding in FY2026, pushing research awards over the past five years beyond half a billion dollars. This momentum extends directly to the John R. and Kathy R. Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences, which recently received a five-year, $16.9 million NIH award through the Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) program to advance research focused initially on brain health and health disparities.
The Associate Dean for Research and Innovation (ADRI) will play a key leadership role in building on this momentum. Reporting to the Dean and serving as a member of the College Leadership Team, the Associate Dean will lead a growing research enterprise, strengthen research infrastructure and externally funded research, and expand multidisciplinary and team-science based research across the College's six departments, School of Nursing, and research centers.
This is a highly engaged, outward-facing executive leadership role requiring both strategic perspective and the ability to execute. The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of the research enterprise and a collaborative, service-oriented approach focused on advancing the research success of others. They will build interdisciplinary teams, connect faculty and resources, develop partnerships, identify opportunities, and turn strategic priorities into action.
As a visible representative of the Hairston College across the University, the ADRI will build relationships, connect faculty and resources, and foster interdisciplinary teams and partnerships. Equally important will be the ability to turn strategic priorities into action, communicate effectively, and follow through.
This is a 12-month tenure-track faculty position.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Administrative – 50%
· Lead and manage research programs and support compliance with federal grant finance, research ethics, and other research requirements.
· Foster interdisciplinary research, build research teams and centers, and develop institutional, regional, national, and global research partnerships.
· Mentor faculty, particularly junior faculty, and work collaboratively with the Division of Research and other University partners to advance the College's research enterprise.
Strategic Planning – 5%
· Provide leadership for the College's research and innovation agenda and execute strategies aligned with institutional priorities and emerging research opportunities.
· Build partnerships with industry, government, and academic stakeholders to enhance the College's research profile and impact
Operations Management – 15%
· Oversee research operations and complex projects, including compliance, administrative workflows, budgeting, resource allocation, and timelines.
· Coordinate with sponsored programs, grants administration, academic affairs, and other University units to support effective execution of research initiatives.
Research – 30%
- Maintain an active research program, including developing proposals, conducting research, securing external funding, and publishing scholarly work.
- Mentor students and postdoctoral trainees in research.
A complete list of responsibilities available upon request.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
· Earned doctorate in a field aligned with degree programs in the Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences
· Five years of experience in funded research
· A scholarship record for appointment at the rank of associate or full professor
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
· Experience with managing large research programs, externally funded research, and administrative leadership experience in a research environment
· Demonstrated success as an administrator and fiscal manager
· A record of success in procuring and managing sponsored research programs, and experience in research policy formation, compliance, and operation
· Demonstrated the ability to work collaboratively with various internal and external constituencies, promoting interdisciplinary research, and working with a culturally diverse population
· Record of mentoring graduate students and junior faculty
About North Carolina A&T State University
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T) is a top-flight doctoral research institution and the nation’s largest historically Black university. An 1890 land-grant university within the University of North Carolina System, N.C. A&T is nationally recognized for excellence in STEM education, research, and inclusive student success. With an enrollment of more than 15,000 students, the University offers a broad portfolio of undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs and serves as one of North Carolina’s leading public research engines.
N.C. A&T is in an exciting period of growth and transformation, guided by its strategic plan, Preeminence 2030: North Carolina A&T Blueprint, and supported by a rapidly expanding research enterprise that generates $147 million annually in sponsored research funding and programs. The University’s impact is profound, contributing more than $2.4 billion annually to the North Carolina economy and advancing innovation and opportunity across the state and beyond.
The John R. and Kathy R. Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences (HCHHS) is the largest academic college at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and is comprised of six departments and the School of Nursing. The College offers seven undergraduate degree programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Health Services Management, Kinesiology, Nursing, Psychology, Social Work, and Sociology. At the graduate level, HCHHS offers six degree programs: the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, Master of Social Work, Master of Science in Health Psychology, Ph.D. in Social Work, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and Ph.D. in Applied Psychology.
The College fosters interdisciplinary education, research, and community engagement across the health and human sciences, preparing students to address complex health and social challenges and contribute as leaders in their professions and communities. Faculty engage in research spanning basic and behavioral sciences, community-based interventions, and clinical and translational research, with many supported by external funding from agencies including the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation.
HCHHS is also home to the Center of Excellence for Integrative Health Disparities and Equity Research (CIHDER), a multidisciplinary hub focused on advancing health and addressing health disparities through research and community engagement. Establishment of the NIH-funded Research Centers at Minority Institutions (RCMI) is also underway with an initial focus on brain-health and cardiometabolic diseases. The College's interdisciplinary environment creates opportunities for collaboration across disciplines, innovative academic programming, student mentoring, and impactful research addressing health and well-being.
Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, N.C. A&T sits in the state’s third-largest city and a dynamic hub in the Piedmont Triad region. It is centrally positioned within the state, with convenient access to Winston-Salem, High Point, and the broader region. Piedmont Triad International Airport and several major interstate highways provide easy connections throughout North Carolina and the Southeast.
Greensboro offers an extensive mix of arts, culture, sports, recreation, dining, and outdoor activities. The city is home to the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, Greensboro Science Center, major collegiate and professional sporting events, museums, gardens, and an extensive parks and trail system. Downtown Greensboro continues to serve as a center for dining, entertainment, public spaces, and cultural activities, while the surrounding area offers a range of established neighborhoods and residential communities.
To Apply
For full consideration, please apply by November 12, 2026.
To be viewed by the search firm, you must apply directly at: https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjyrlgc0
Please apply through the application link and do not email applications.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.
Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.
Inquiries and questions: Please send to NCATADRI@acesrch.com.
Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominee’s name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com.
Institutional Information
North Carolina A&T State University is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. No one who applies or seeks employment will be denied admission to or employment at North Carolina A&T State University on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disabling condition, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or sexual orientation and sexual identity.