Director of Research

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Position Reports to: Executive Vice President Academic Affairs Provost

Positions Supervised: Laboratory Coordinator, Administrative Assistant, and Research Assistants

POSITION PURPOSE

The Director of the Office of Research (DOR) works closely with the Associate Director of the Office of Research (ADOR) and the Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs/Provost (EVPAA) in providing research leadership and development opportunities within the University. The DOR nurtures quality research, scholarship, and creative activity by University faculty, staff, and students in support of the University’s mission, and promotes and enhances the University’s contribution to clinical inquiry. The DOR supports the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) and collaborates with HRPP personnel.

The DOR is responsible for mentoring the University faculty research/scholarship process and engaging in teaching activities that ensure research excellence among students and programs. A secondary responsibility is working with the ADOR and Deans/Program Directors to support student research in collaboration with University faculty.

The DOR collaborates with and supports faculty to develop their research or scholarly agendas, providing guidance in high-caliber and ethical research processes, 

The DOR will provide mentorship and serve on dissertation committees for students in the relevant areas of their scholarship and serve as a consultant for PhD students as appropriate. The DOR also serves as a faculty member in the PhD program teaching in areas of expertise.

The DOR will maintain and grow a well-staffed and active research laboratory to include current technology and equipment for conducting research in various disciplines including healthcare, exercise science, teaching and learning, etc.  The DOR develops and implements strategic plans for the scope, direction, administration, and resources for the research space and the OR.

The DOR will have a faculty appointment in the PhD Health Science program.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DOR OR AS DELEGATED TO OTHER OR PERSONNE

• Leadership/Administration of the Office of Research
  • Develops an active, on-the-ground research presence and culture of research. 
    • In collaboration with the Faculty Development Committee, organizes and offers training, webinars, and workshop events that promote the elevation of research-related skills and the evolution of new research ideas and collaborations. 
    • Promotes and facilitates research activities, including inter-professional, collaborative research in areas related to the strengths of the university programs.
    • Establishes consistent and widespread research connections and networks with local universities and other organizations in developing collaborative research partnerships.
    • Joins and participates in local and regional research organizations, boards, committees, and groups to increase awareness of RMUoHP and seek collaborative research opportunities for faculty and students.
  • Evaluates, consults, and educates on research tools/equipment and emerging technologies, including relevant research software to support research among university constituents.
  • Coordinates and collaborates with other relevant University employees.
  • Ensures that OR research activities adhere to HRPP SOPs and federal regulations.
  • Serves as the Chair of the Academic Research Committee (ARC). 
  • Supports the planning of the Annual RMUoHP Scholarship Symposium, including faculty and student presentations and ‘expert’ speaker series.
  • Assists in independent review of RMUoHP internal faculty and student research grants.
  • Manages the Office of Research.
    1. Equipment/Inventory 
    2. Short- and Long-Term Planning
    3. Budget
    4. Manages information systems including relevant pages on the rm.edu website.
    5. Maintains databases, prepares, and develops status reports for academic administration, and reports on performance against stated plan.
    6. Prepares and develops status reports, including faculty and student publications and presentations.
    7. Participate in the assessment and continuous improvement activities related to research activities within the University. 
    8. Serves as a consultant for the research component of degree programs.
• Faculty support
  • Engages, connects, develops rapport, and liaises with faculty consistently to remove the fear and challenges involved in research engagement and assist in developing research questions and methodology.
  • Meets regularly with faculty and administration at the program/department and college level to provide support for faculty research.
  • Assists with the development and implementation of faculty research.
  • Organize and participate in faculty Research Interest/Collaboration Groups.
• Student support
  • Leads and assists in the development and supervision of projects for Research Assistants and other students. 
  • Collaborates with the Associate Director of Research to align PhD student research with faculty with similar research interests.
  • Serves as dissertation/thesis/capstone committee chairperson or member as deemed appropriate and in collaboration with academic programs.
• Personal Scholarly Research program and teaching
  • Creates and implements personal scholarly research program.
  • Authors and works with others to develop publications under the auspices of RMUoHP.
  • Teachers in area(s) of expertise.
• Other Requirements
  • Actively participates in university governance as assigned.
  • Attends official University events as applicable.
  • Contributes to the overall success of the Office of Research by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

WORKING REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS

Location

On-site, at the RMUoHP campus in Provo, Utah.

Education/Certification:

An earned doctorate, preferably in a health-related discipline.

Required Knowledge:

The DOR should demonstrate a strong research agenda

Experience Required:

A research record meriting appointment as an associate or full professor and research mentoring experience in an academic setting.

Skills/Abilities:

The DOR must have a strong commitment to academic excellence and an ability to work with diverse constituencies. Should demonstrate excellent interpersonal, oral, written, and communication skills