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Vice Chancellor for Research

Employer
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Location
North Carolina, United States
Salary
Salary Not specified
Date posted
Feb 10, 2023

View more

Position Type
Administrative, Academic Affairs, Research Administration
Employment Level
Executive
Employment Type
Full Time

Vice Chancellor for Research
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) invites applications and nominations for the appointment of Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR).

Introduction Established in 1789, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was the first public university in the nation. Students enrolled starting in 1795, making UNC-CH the only public university to award degrees in the 18th century. Graduate programs were offered starting in 1876, followed by the creation of professional schools throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, UNC-CH enrolls over 18,000 undergraduate and over 11,000 professional and graduate students. The University offers 77 bachelor's degree programs, 111 master's degree program, 65 doctoral degree programs, and 7 professional degree programs.

UNC-CH, a member of the Association of American Universities, is one of the world's premier research universities, with a highly collaborative culture among faculty of all disciplines and over $1.2B in annual research expenditures supporting endeavors with local, national, and global significance. UNC-CH is uniquely situated as one of the only US universities that houses five highly rated Health Affairs schools on its campus, together with its College of Arts & Sciences and multiple outstanding professional schools.

UNC-CH is known for collegial interactions and a stellar ability to assemble successful, multi-disciplinary teams to solve problems of great import to North Carolina, the US, and the world. As a proudly public university, our research is intertwined with our mission of service to the citizens of North Carolina who established and support our endeavors. North Carolina, with its incredibly diverse geography, fast-changing demographics, and generative range of rural, urban, and suburban communities, offers opportunities for research partnerships and sites that few other locations can.

The Research Triangle, defined by UNC-CH, Duke, and NC State at its corners, has always provided public-private research opportunities. Currently, the Triangle is witnessing an explosion of investment in the life, technological, data, health, and economic sciences. Thus, the potential to translate basic and applied research is at its highest level ever and is likely to grow. Lastly, the physical location of all academic schools and departments on a single, beautiful campus, and the livability and opportunities for personal and family growth in the Chapel Hill/Durham/Raleigh area, make UNC a magnet for recruitment of top-notch research-oriented scholars.

The Position

The Vice Chancellor for Research plays a central leadership role at the University, overseeing the research enterprise across the entire campus. The VCR sets strategic priorities for research and establishes a vision for future growth and success. The VCR directs a team of faculty leaders and staff to build, operate, support, plan and lead research infrastructure, future research directions, and central investments. The VCR also directs management of proposals and awards and oversees regulatory compliance and ethics management. In addition, 13 directors of pan-campus multidisciplinary research centers report to the VCR. The VCR regularly convenes the research deans from all UNC-CH schools to secure input into research operations and strategy and works closely with the Provost and Chancellor to lead UNC's research endeavors.

The VCR leverages the collegial interactions and diverse expertise of UNC-CH's faculty to create new multi-disciplinary research teams and partnerships that can tackle the nation's top scientific challenges and solve complex societal problems. The Office of the VCR (OVCR) maintains a full knowledge of the faculty and the campus' expertise and seeds interaction to enable the University to compete successfully for major research funding opportunities that expand the frontiers of knowledge and benefit our society.

Strategic advancement of the UNC-CH portfolio requires defining not only areas of strength, but also identifying key investments in technology, infrastructure, and faculty expertise to allow UNC-CH to address our biggest challenges. Historically, UNC-CH has been very successful in garnering federal funding, but to advance from our current $1.2B in yearly activity towards $1.5B - 2.0B, the OVCR must develop adaptive strategies that prepare individual schools and teams to amplify their portfolios and compete effectively for a broad range of funding through foundations, industry, and other partnerships. Both strategy and operational enhancements will be needed to improve our attractiveness to a wider range of funders.

Advancing human knowledge and solving societal challenges through team-based science requires development of faculty and research staff with life experiences that mirror North Carolina's and the U.S.'s diverse populations. The VCR oversees faculty and staff training and the development of a workforce that understands the issues of rural, urban, and individuals from all backgrounds. In this manner, the University will be able to bring the brightest minds into its research enterprise and ensure it has the capacity and structures needed to better compete for funding from multiple sources and to serve the state. The VCR also leads education about and promotion of equitable research methods across the university.

Growing and diversifying the University's research portfolio is of critical importance to the continued success of UNC-CH; generating lasting and transformative contributions to our state, nation & world; and to the training future scientists, researchers, artists, and leaders. Continued development and nurturing of the entrepreneurial spirit among our faculty will be central to the VCR's responsibilities. The VCR is expected to be a strong advocate for faculty in the development and protection of intellectual property (IP) and works closely with the Office of Technology Commercialization. In particular, the VCR is a key partner in helping faculty balance decisions to license IP or pursue further in-house development to optimize value to faculty and the university and assure that ideas do not lack a development path due to corporate changes.

UNC-CH's international reputation also depends on global research and education excellence. UNC-CH's institutional strength in global health and biomedical research has resulted in the university's engagement in a broad portfolio of international research, both with global partners as well as on the ground in countries around the world. UNC-CH also places a strong emphasis on a global experience for our undergraduate and graduate students. Research with our global partners further strengthens our research portfolio and reputation in addition to facilitating the research training experience. The VCR will work with other UNC-CH Offices and leaders to enhance research collaborations and funding on the global stage and prepare future generations of scientists to work together to advance knowledge and solve the world's most pressing problems.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirement

A PhD, M.D. or equivalent terminal degree is required with at least ten years relevant professional experience directing a nationally recognized research program at least part of which is in a research-intensive university setting; direct experience with federal, foundation and/or industry funding mechanisms; experience managing complex budgets; record of leadership success; familiarity with research ethics and regulation; and evidence of distinguished scholarship and professional achievement is required.

Applications and Nominations

Priority consideration will be given to materials received by March 3, 2023. Applications should include a 1) current CV and 2) a letter of interest that addresses the responsibilities and qualifications described above.

Buffkin/Baker, an executive search firm, is assisting the university in the search. Inquiries of interest, nominations, and applications should be submitted electronically, in confidence, to:

Mr. Martin M. Baker, Managing Partner

Dr. Pelema Ellis, Associate Partner

Buffkin / Baker

uncvcr@buffkinbaker.com

Equal Opportunity Statement from UNC HR The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.


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