Department: Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Limited
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Compensation Band: OS-OA14-Fiscal Year 2024-2025
FTE: 0.4

Internal Search

Application Review Begins

February 3, 2025; Position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please provide your CV and a cover letter describing your interest to serve the University in the role and how you will contribute to the mission of the OVPRI.

Department Summary

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) serves as an advocate and catalyst within the University for expanding the range and impact of UO's research, scholarship, and creative endeavors. The OVPRI oversees sponsored programs, research compliance, technology transfer, economic development, industry engagement, research-based ventures, and research development and administrative responsibility for numerous high-profile research centers and institutes and core research facilities, which provide opportunities for faculty across the university to collaborate on research efforts that are inherently interdisciplinary, and of significant societal importance. As a university that holds the distinction of a “very high research activity” ranking in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, the UO is also one of only two Pacific Northwest members of the Association of American Universities (AAU). Visit research.uoregon.edu to learn more.

The OVPRI is committed to a respectful work environment. We value the cultural, educational, and life experiences of each employee. We believe that a diverse workforce enables us to deliver culturally responsive services to all members of our community. As part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we welcome, respect, and foster a sense of belonging for a wide range of identities and experiences in our workforce. We strongly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and/or LGBTQIA+ community members.

Position Summary

The position of Faculty Associate Vice President for Research & Innovation works directly with the Vice President for Research and Innovation. The intent is to appoint an individual for a three-year period with the possibility of reappointment for a second three-year term.

The Faculty Associate Vice President for Research & Innovation is a member of the Vice President’s executive team and provides advice and counsel to the Vice President, the Provost and President on matters related to research activities and research administration. They will work closely with the Assistant Vice President of Strategic Research Initiatives, Associate Vice President for Industry, Innovation and Translation (IIT), and the VPRI, to achieve the “best in class service” mission of OVPRI and help OVPRI accomplish goals laid out in the President’s strategic plan Oregon Rising. The successful candidate will have the ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, and students from a variety of diverse backgrounds.

The position will be a part-time appointment (0.4 FTE) with two primary focus areas: 1) fostering a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and translation, and 2) providing strategic leadership, planning, and coordination to support significant expansion of the research enterprise.

Primary responsibilities for fostering a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship and translation include:
• Mentoring fellow faculty members regarding innovation and entrepreneurship – including how to navigate the process within UO (e.g. working with IIT, COC/COI, balancing professorial duties with innovation & entrepreneurship duties).
• Serving as an advocate for OVPRI and IIT among the faculty; eliciting feedback and flagging where engagement is needed.
• Joining and participating in select IIT outreach meetings across campus.
• Participating in efforts to raise philanthropic dollars to support IIT programs and initiatives.
• Expanding IIT’s efforts for coordinating with and facilitating connectivity for faculty to Launch Oregon.
• Supporting UO’s efforts for increased university-industry partnerships.

Primary responsibilities for providing strategic leadership, planning, and coordination to support significant expansion of the research enterprise include:
• With faculty and staff in Strategic Research Initiatives, encouraging and facilitating enhanced opportunities for large scale, cross-disciplinary, externally sponsored research projects and initiatives with a focus on federal funding landscape.
• Conducting research, faculty outreach, and other necessary stakeholder engagement to contribute toward the creation of a multi-year strategic plan for OVPRI.
• Supporting the development of new training programs to accelerate the research success of early career faculty.
• Contributing to strategic efforts to increase the number of prestigious awards and honors for UO faculty.
• Working closely with the VPRI and executive team, lead special projects and bodies of work to support research- and solution-oriented research administration.

Minimum Requirements

• Must be a tenured professor (associate or full) or hold an associate or full Research professor appointment.
• Research and scholarship within the general areas of life, physical, or behavioral sciences.
• Five years of federally-funded research experience at a major research university.
• A demonstrated research portfolio consisting of sponsored awards, fellowship, and peer-reviewed publications/juried exhibits or similar as befits the academic area expertise of the candidate.
• Extensive historic engagement with IIT.
• Experience as an inventor/author.
• Experience as an entrepreneur and academic founder.

Professional Competencies

• Commitment to and interest in research, scholarship, and creative activity regardless of discipline, including applied research and commercialization.
• Creative, collaborative, and strategic thinking skills. 
• Service-oriented perspective and approach. 
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and demands. 
• Excellent professional communication skills. 
• Experience leading multiple stakeholders through collaboration and conflict resolution. 
• Commitment to the cultivation and enhancement of diversity and inclusion of people of different cultures, backgrounds, and employee groups. 
• Ability to manage change and continuous improvement. 
• Ability to engage in mentorship and professional-development of director-level staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Record of holding a leadership position (department head, center or institute director) at the UO or comparable institution.
• Experience in coordinating and leading interdisciplinary research.
• Experience as an inventor/author of products that are on the market.
• Experience as an entrepreneur with a successful exit or product launch.
• History of serving as PI on corporate sponsored research or public/private partnerships.
• History of serving as PI on large, multi-site or multi-center sponsored projects.

FLSA Exempt: Yes

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit https://hr.uoregon.edu/about-benefits.

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here.

In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report.