The Associate Dean for Research is charged with creating and advancing a comprehensive College-wide strategy for increasing research productivity and foster research and creative activity in all sectors. Working department by department, sector by sector, in concert with the Dean and fellow Associate Deans, the Associate Dean for Research will design and implement plans to improve the research metrics critical to UB’s stated mission to become a Top 25 public research university.
A. Strategic Planning and Priorities
- In partnership with the Sector Associate Deans, work with each department to identify a strategic research vision.
- In partnership with Sector Associate Deans, offer strategies to recruit and retain faculty who will drive research excellence, including supporting departments with management of SUNY Empire Innovation Professor process and other external hiring opportunities.
- Design, implement and administer faculty research development initiatives, including seed funding programs to facilitate new research directions and collaborations, sector-appropriate incentive programs, and diversification of sponsored funding sources.
- Collaborate with the Senior Vice President for Research, Innovation and Economic Development (VPRIED), the Dean, Sector Associate Deans, and Unit Business Officer to inform decisions about major equipment, instrumentation, and large-scale research computing purchases both within startup packages, subsequent purchases, and maintenance. Proactively identify research infrastructure needs that will enhance interdisciplinary research.
- Partner with the Office of Research Advancement, the Sector Associate Deans, and Associate Deans from other units to identify funding opportunities, support cluster formation and team-science initiatives, and coordinate center-level proposal development by assembling teams and securing the resources necessary for competitive sponsored-research submissions.
- Chair the College's Awards Committee and collaborate closely with Sector Associate Deans to enhance internal, SUNY-level, and national recognition of faculty excellence and scholarly achievement.
B. Operational Duties
- Supervise the College's Director of Research Administration and work closely with RASC pre- and post-award teams for College research administration needs.
- Work with the College's Facilities and Planning Management Officer to coordinate allocation, renovation, and creation of space related to research.
- Oversee safety in our research facilities, including ensuring that safety training in the labs for new PI's and graduate students is offered and annual lab safety certifications are current, as well as interacting with EH&S around laboratory safety issues that need resolution and/or monitoring.
- Oversee research compliance matters as necessary, including CLICK form approval
- Serve as the primary liaison to the VPRIED’s Office on all matters related to research. Represent College interests in discussions with VPRIED’s Office and Sponsored Projects Services.
- Coordinate opportunities for faculty to share research interests in the quest of securing major grants and fellowships.
- Represent the College and the Dean at key College- and University-wide events connected to the College's research mission.
- Appoint and convene the College's Advisory Research Committee. Meet with the committee regularly to define issues and identify opportunities to improve research and creative productivity.
- Participate in University-level committees (as assigned by the Dean) that are important to the College.
- Report to the Dean and the College leadership team regularly regarding research trends (e.g. proposal submissions, federal funding trends, research expenditures etc.).
- Work closely with College's events and marketing and communications teams to host the College's Spotlight Symposia to showcase faculty achievement and position UB at the forefront of national scholarly conversations.
Tenured faculty member in the College of Arts and Sciences. Commitment to serve at least a three-year term.
- Preference given to Full Professors who have had substantive and successful experience as an administrator, such as those who have served as a department chair, research center director or held other significant administrative roles.
- Faculty with extensive experience in managing diverse sponsored funding portfolios, overseeing equipment purchases and maintenance, utilizing shared facilities, or animal facilities are highly desired.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with an ability to serve as a collaborative problem solver who builds trust and works effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- The ability to navigate and manage difficult conversations to achieve outcomes that strengthen and advance the research mission in the College.
- The ability to work effectively with College and UB leadership, faculty, and staff to advance UB’s mission to become a top 25 public research university.
- The demonstrated ability to work as a member of a collaborative team and to assemble and lead teams to accomplish specific tasks. The demonstrated ability to listen and build consensus. The ability to promote innovation and manage change.
Compensation:
10% academic year override for term of appointment.
10% annual override for summer salary.
Teaching release and support for maintaining an active scholarly profile are negotiable.
Individuals need to be able to commit four days a week with one protected research day per week.