UofM Seeks Associate Vice President for Research to Help Lead Next Phase of Research Growth
New senior leadership position will advance research strategy, faculty support, interdisciplinary collaboration and external partnerships across the University
As the University of Memphis continues to expand its research enterprise, it is seeking an Associate Vice President for Research to help guide the next phase of institutional research growth and support faculty in an increasingly complex funding environment.
The new senior leadership position comes at an important time for the University. UofM’s research portfolio has grown significantly in recent years, while changes across the federal research landscape are creating both new challenges and emerging opportunities for research universities. Reporting directly to the Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation, the Associate Vice President will work closely with the Division of Research & Innovation leadership team, faculty and research leaders across UofM to help shape the strategic direction of the University's research ecosystem.
A central focus will be strengthening a service-oriented research culture that helps faculty grow their externally funded research through collaboration, strategic proposal development, and connections to institutional and external resources.
The position is also part of the University's broader succession planning efforts and will work closely with college research leadership, Academic Affairs and Government Relations to identify strategic areas for research growth aligned with the University's Ascend strategic plan.
Building Research Opportunities Across UofM
The Associate Vice President will play a significant role in developing and implementing institution-wide research development strategies, particularly around large interdisciplinary proposals, center-level opportunities, and emerging areas of research investment. That work will include identifying external funding opportunities that align with UofM research strengths, helping organize research teams and bringing together faculty and partners whose combined expertise can address complex research challenges.
The position will also help coordinate cross-college and cross-functional initiatives involving academic colleges, research centers and institutes, administrative units and affiliated organizations. As federal research priorities and funding programs continue to evolve, the successful candidate will be expected to bring a strong understanding of the national research funding landscape and help translate emerging priorities into opportunities for UofM researchers.
The role will also work to strengthen how funding opportunities are communicated across campus and use research metrics and funding trends to help inform institutional strategy.
Connecting UofM Research to External Partners
Research growth increasingly depends on partnerships that extend beyond a single researcher, discipline, or institution.
The Associate Vice President will help develop and strengthen relationships with federal, state, and local governments; foundations; industry; entrepreneurial organizations; community partners; other Carnegie R1 universities; and the University of Memphis Research Foundation and its affiliated entities. The position will support UofM's role as a convener, bringing together researchers and external stakeholders to explore emerging societal challenges and identify opportunities where University expertise can contribute to solutions. And, the Associate Vice President will also serve as a strategic advisor to the Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation on research growth, institutional development, emerging funding opportunities and high-impact research initiatives.
Supporting the Next Phase of Research Growth
Candidates should hold a PhD in an area related to the University's research portfolio and have achieved the rank of tenured full professor, with at least eight years of higher education leadership experience working with research faculty.
The University is seeking candidates with demonstrated experience in academic research development, federal research budgets and agency priorities, external funding, strategic partnerships and the leadership of complex research initiatives. Strong communication skills and an ability to build trust and work collaboratively with faculty across disciplines will also be central to the role.
Ultimately, the position is designed to add senior leadership capacity to an expanding research enterprise while strengthening the support available to UofM researchers.
By connecting faculty expertise, institutional priorities, external partnerships and emerging funding opportunities, the Associate Vice President for Research will help position the University to pursue ambitious research initiatives, increase interdisciplinary collaboration and continue building the impact and reach of the UofM research enterprise.
Initial review of applications will take place weekly and continue until the position is filled.