Associate Vice President for Research

Associate Vice President for Research
The University of Tennessee System invites applications and nominations for the position of Associate Vice President for Research (AVPR). The AVPR plays a visionary role in advancing the University of Tennessee System's research ambitions and fosters excellence in research and scholarship across all campuses and disciplines.

The University of Tennessee System is the state's oldest higher education institution and preeminent public university and is comprised of campuses at Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski and Martin; theHealth Science Centerat Memphis; and the statewideInstitute of Agriculture and Institute for PublicService.

The UT System has a presence in each of Tennessee's 95 counties. Through the combined force of education, research and outreach, the University serves students, business and industry, schools, governments, organizations and residentsstatewide. The UT System enrolls about 54,000 undergraduate and graduate students statewide, and more than 13,000 students graduate from UT campuses each year with bachelor's, master's, doctoral and professional degrees.

Research is a critical part of the University's mission as a land-grant institution. UT faculty and students system-wide are involved in research, adding to the body of knowledge in academic disciplines and providing solutions to everyday problems. In fiscal 2017, the UT System had a record $481 million in research and sponsored programexpenditures.

Reporting to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Research, and Student Success, the AVPR facilitates systemwide efforts to develop and strengthen research capacity and productivity, and in partnership with the AVP for Research, Outreach, and Economic Development, promotes partnerships that enhance research-related economic development statewide. The AVPR works with research leadership at all UT System institutions to support and promote strategic partnerships and research programs, leverage resources, and identify ways to increase capacity, efficiency, effectiveness, and outcomes.

The AVPR works closely with executives at UT System institutions to support, promote, and enhance their efforts to develop enduring research partnerships with external parties, including business and private industry, economic development groups, foundations, state and federal government, laboratories and agencies, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, other public and private institutions of higher education, and the community. Needs and opportunities at UT System institutions will vary.

The ideal candidate should have demonstrated success as a principal investigator of substantial competitive federal research grants (or equivalent) and in attracting support for research from private partnerships, government agencies, industry and other funding entities. The AVPR will have the ability to lead and collaborate with a diverse group of UT System institutions to facilitate research initiatives system-wide.

The successful candidate will be presented with the opportunity to achieve the following professional and personal accomplishments:

▪ Serve as a senior leader of one of the most respected systems of higher education in the country, whose reputation and resources have made it a national role model for the delivery of research and innovation, and high-quality affordable education.
▪ Work directly with a diverse and outstanding mix of UT campuses, Chancellors, Vice Chancellors for Research, Deans, department chairs, centers, and institute directors who are each aligned towards the achievement of the UT System's and the state's collective goals.
▪ Regularly engage with Tennessee's public officials as a key "point person" in publicly articulating the UT System's research strategies and initiatives.
▪ Work with stakeholders in Knoxville and across Tennessee, a region known for its economic vitality, quality of life, and diversity of regions and communities.
▪ In collaboration with the UT Government Relations and Advocacy team, liaise and champion on behalf of UT for research support and growth opportunities at both the state and federal levels.

The VPR will work at the UT System offices in Knoxville, Tennessee. All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile.

WittKieffer is assisting the University of Tennessee System in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received byJuly 7, 2023.

Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer's candidate portal.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to John K. Thornburgh and Lauren Bruce-Stets at UTennResearch@wittkieffer.com.

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the System Human Resources by telephone at 865-974-8170. Requests for accommodation of a disability may also be directed to this office.


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