Virginia Commonwealth University
Associate Dean for Research and Innovation - College of Engineering
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States, 23214
Overview
The College of Engineering (CoE) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), located in Richmond, VA, invites applications for an Associate Dean for Research and Innovation. VCU is a public research university dedicated to serving the needs of students and patients, with a strong focus on research activity and community engagement.
VCU has been designated as a research university with very high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation, garnering more than $500 million in sponsored research from federal and other agencies in FY2024. The NSF ranks VCU among the top 50 public research universities, and it is one of 69 public universities nationwide designated by the Carnegie Foundation as "Community Engaged" with "Very High Research Activity."
VCU’s College of Engineering was established in 1996 as a public-private partnership to address engineering innovation in a 21st-century economy. The college is undergoing exceptional transformations under new leadership, expanding interdisciplinary research and educational offerings, and aiming for excellence in globally significant thematic areas. Research collaborations with industry, community, and academic partners yield breakthroughs in pharmaceutical engineering; smart cities, sustainability, and clean energy; materials development; health care, regenerative medicine, rehabilitation, and medical device development; data science and cybersecurity. The college emphasizes an entrepreneurial approach to engineering education, engaging undergraduate, masters, and doctoral students in meaningful research.
VCU Engineering has pioneered centers such as the Medicines for All Institute and the Convergence Lab, a DoD-funded cross-disciplinary institute focused on defense challenges. The college leads the Central Virginia Node of the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative, advancing cybersecurity research, innovation, and commercialization.
Position Summary:
The CoE at VCU seeks an innovative and visionary leader to serve as the Associate Dean of Research and Innovation. This position advances the college's research agenda, fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, and strengthens partnerships with industry, government agencies, and academic stakeholders. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Engineering, the Associate Dean will shape the future of engineering research and ensure alignment with the institution's strategic goals.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and implement a plan to enhance the school's research capacity and funding.
Actively seek and secure external research funding from government agencies, industry partners, and foundations through grant writing, proposal development, and relationship building.
Foster interdisciplinary research collaborations both within and beyond the college.
Enhance innovation and creative works, patents, and promote and support incubators, startups, and other lab-to-market commercialization activities.
Provide leadership and mentorship to faculty, staff, and students engaged in research activities.
Oversee research infrastructure, including laboratories, facilities, and equipment, ensuring optimal utilization.
Ensure the impact and dissemination of research: Promote the dissemination and impact of research findings through conferences, publications, and community engagement.
Foster a culture of innovation within the College by facilitating collaboration between researchers, industry partners, and entrepreneurs to translate research findings into practical applications.
Ensure compliance with ethical and regulatory standards for all research activities.
Represent the school in university-wide and external committees related to research.
Represent the College at selective conferences, industry events, and government meetings to promote research capabilities and build partnerships.
Provide leadership, data, procedures, and administration for the college initiatives identified by the Dean and the College strategic and action plans. Ensure constant communications and coordination with the Dean's leadership team, including Associate and Assistant Deans, Department Chairs, and unit directors.
Qualifications
A Ph.D. in engineering or a closely related field.
A distinguished research record, including publications in high-impact journals and external funding.
Demonstrated leadership experience in an academic or research setting.
Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Experience developing and leading large research programs, centers, or institutes of national importance with external funding.
Experience in raising externally sponsored research and innovation projects for groups of faculty or researchers, above and beyond their own, and individual PI projects.
Experience working with national funding agencies, as experts, temporary, or permanent appointments (e.g., NSF, NIH, DoD, DARPA, ARPA-E, etc.) is preferred.
Experience in building and managing collaborative research partnerships is highly desirable.
Experience in patents and commercialization of engineering products, incubator programs, and startups, and have an entrepreneurial mindset to help faculty and students expand their creative work and commercial productivity.
Experience establishing research space and resource allocation to faculty, research centers, and institutes to maximize the utility of available resources; optimize resources to align with College and university priorities.
Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds.
Application Process Interested candidates should submit their application, including a cover letter highlighting qualifications and vision for the role, a comprehensive curriculum vitae, and the names and email addresses of five professional references. Reference letters will be requested by the search committee for candidate finalists. Only complete electronic materials submitted via the VCU Jobs Website will be accepted.
This position is open until filled. For additional information, please contact the Chair of the search committee, Gary Tepper, Ph.D., email: gctepper@vcu.edu.
Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.
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VCU has been designated as a research university with very high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation, garnering more than $500 million in sponsored research from federal and other agencies in FY2024. The NSF ranks VCU among the top 50 public research universities, and it is one of 69 public universities nationwide designated by the Carnegie Foundation as "Community Engaged" with "Very High Research Activity."
VCU’s College of Engineering was established in 1996 as a public-private partnership to address engineering innovation in a 21st-century economy. The college is undergoing exceptional transformations under new leadership, expanding interdisciplinary research and educational offerings, and aiming for excellence in globally significant thematic areas. Research collaborations with industry, community, and academic partners yield breakthroughs in pharmaceutical engineering; smart cities, sustainability, and clean energy; materials development; health care, regenerative medicine, rehabilitation, and medical device development; data science and cybersecurity. The college emphasizes an entrepreneurial approach to engineering education, engaging undergraduate, masters, and doctoral students in meaningful research.
VCU Engineering has pioneered centers such as the Medicines for All Institute and the Convergence Lab, a DoD-funded cross-disciplinary institute focused on defense challenges. The college leads the Central Virginia Node of the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative, advancing cybersecurity research, innovation, and commercialization.
Position Summary:
The CoE at VCU seeks an innovative and visionary leader to serve as the Associate Dean of Research and Innovation. This position advances the college's research agenda, fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, and strengthens partnerships with industry, government agencies, and academic stakeholders. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Engineering, the Associate Dean will shape the future of engineering research and ensure alignment with the institution's strategic goals.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and implement a plan to enhance the school's research capacity and funding.
Actively seek and secure external research funding from government agencies, industry partners, and foundations through grant writing, proposal development, and relationship building.
Foster interdisciplinary research collaborations both within and beyond the college.
Enhance innovation and creative works, patents, and promote and support incubators, startups, and other lab-to-market commercialization activities.
Provide leadership and mentorship to faculty, staff, and students engaged in research activities.
Oversee research infrastructure, including laboratories, facilities, and equipment, ensuring optimal utilization.
Ensure the impact and dissemination of research: Promote the dissemination and impact of research findings through conferences, publications, and community engagement.
Foster a culture of innovation within the College by facilitating collaboration between researchers, industry partners, and entrepreneurs to translate research findings into practical applications.
Ensure compliance with ethical and regulatory standards for all research activities.
Represent the school in university-wide and external committees related to research.
Represent the College at selective conferences, industry events, and government meetings to promote research capabilities and build partnerships.
Provide leadership, data, procedures, and administration for the college initiatives identified by the Dean and the College strategic and action plans. Ensure constant communications and coordination with the Dean's leadership team, including Associate and Assistant Deans, Department Chairs, and unit directors.
Qualifications
A Ph.D. in engineering or a closely related field.
A distinguished research record, including publications in high-impact journals and external funding.
Demonstrated leadership experience in an academic or research setting.
Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Experience developing and leading large research programs, centers, or institutes of national importance with external funding.
Experience in raising externally sponsored research and innovation projects for groups of faculty or researchers, above and beyond their own, and individual PI projects.
Experience working with national funding agencies, as experts, temporary, or permanent appointments (e.g., NSF, NIH, DoD, DARPA, ARPA-E, etc.) is preferred.
Experience in building and managing collaborative research partnerships is highly desirable.
Experience in patents and commercialization of engineering products, incubator programs, and startups, and have an entrepreneurial mindset to help faculty and students expand their creative work and commercial productivity.
Experience establishing research space and resource allocation to faculty, research centers, and institutes to maximize the utility of available resources; optimize resources to align with College and university priorities.
Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds.
Application Process Interested candidates should submit their application, including a cover letter highlighting qualifications and vision for the role, a comprehensive curriculum vitae, and the names and email addresses of five professional references. Reference letters will be requested by the search committee for candidate finalists. Only complete electronic materials submitted via the VCU Jobs Website will be accepted.
This position is open until filled. For additional information, please contact the Chair of the search committee, Gary Tepper, Ph.D., email: gctepper@vcu.edu.
Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr