Xavier University
Director Center for Research Excellence
Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, 45208
Xavier University is seeking an inaugural director for its new Center for Research Excellence (CRE). Animated by a mission to promote the growth and success of research, scholarly, and creative activities across all colleges at Xavier, the CRE will provide a centralized office responsive to the needs of the campus community. Goals of the CRE include:
Strengthen scholarly activity by building collaborative networks internally and with external partners
Identify and expand external grant funding supporting scholarship and programmatic activities
Encourage the participation of undergraduate and graduate students in research, scholarly, and creative activity
Support professional development related to research and scholarly activities, including by providing training, consultation and mentorship
Foster a university culture that recognizes scholarly and creative activity
Contribute to creating and sustaining a culture of ethics and robust policies supporting research integrity
The Director provides leadership to the CRE, promoting a shared vision for research excellence that reflects Xavier’s Jesuit mission and is responsive to the needs and aspirations of faculty, staff, and students across disciplines. In this role, the Director fosters a thriving research environment by coordinating support structures, advocating for resources, and promoting ethical and responsible research practices. The Director builds capacity and expertise in research through mentorship, training, and collaboration; supports student engagement in research and creative work; and leads efforts to enhance the visibility and impact of Xavier’s scholarly contributions. A key priority for this role is fostering collaboration among Xavier’s academic programs and external partners to advance multidisciplinary research, including related to interprofessional education (IPE).
RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide strategic leadership and vision for research and scholarship
Articulate and promote a cohesive vision for research and creative activity at Xavier that aligns with the University’s Jesuit mission, academic priorities, and commitment to interprofessional and interdisciplinary learning.
Engage regularly with faculty, staff, and students to assess research needs and identify institutional priorities
Advise institutional leadership, contributing to strategic and academic planning
Enhance the visibility and impact of research at Xavier, including developing strategies to raise the University’s research profile regionally and nationally
Advocate for resources, internal and external, to strengthen the infrastructure supporting scholarly activity
Oversee and coordinate collection and communication of data on research activity, including for the annual NCES HERD survey
Build capacity and promote collaboration in research and scholarly activity
Develop and coordinate professional development programs, workshops, and mentorship opportunities
Oversee programs that provide internal funding and resources to support faculty research
Facilitate cross-disciplinary collaboration among faculty through research interest groups, writing communities, networking tools, etc.
Catalyze new research and IPE-focused initiatives by convening groups and facilitating planning around strategic priorities or opportunities
Guide faculty teams through the proposal development processes
Partner with the Office of Grant Services to strengthen faculty success in securing external funding, including both small and large-scale, multidisciplinary projects, community-engaged projects, and research around interprofessional education and practices.
Promote and support student research scholarship, and creative activity
Provide direction to the Director of Undergraduate Research
Track the participation of students in research, scholarly, and creative activity
Promote research as means to recruit and retain talented, diverse students
Coordinate training and resources to foster student research skills, including ethical and responsible research practices
In collaboration with others, showcase and celebrate student research and creative activity
Foster and sustain a culture of ethics and research integrity
Lead efforts to ensure that Xavier’s research practices reflect the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and regulatory compliance.
Develop and implement policies consistent with federal and state regulations, and emerging best practices in responsible research conduct
Monitor regulatory developments that impact funding, compliance, or research practices
Effectively communicate relevant internal policies and federal and state guidelines and regulations, including by providing or coordinating training
Provide leadership to offices and areas supporting research, including Grant Services, IRB and Undergraduate Research, and coordination with additional campus partners, including the Center for Teaching Excellence, University Library and Development Office
This is a 12-month, on-campus position. Typical work hours are in-person M-F 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, with occasional need for earlier or later hours. Hybrid scheduling may be available during the summer.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s degree
Experience in higher education
Success as a PI or leader of an independent research program
Experience mentoring faculty and/or students, particularly related to scholarly activity
A solid understanding of sponsored research and competitiveness strategies, particularly in the context of a predominantly undergraduate institution
Firm knowledge of grant writing best practices
Strong ability to communicate effectively and work with members of the academic and research community
Experience with meeting deadlines, prioritizing responsibilities, attending to details, taking initiative, and working independently and with a team to carry out challenging assignments
Experience providing project management support in a team context or successfully managing complex projects
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Doctoral degree
Experience designing and delivering training, particularly on topics related to research project development and grant-seeking
Demonstrated success in shepherding interdisciplinary strategic initiatives for external funding
Experience mentoring faculty and/or students, particularly related to scholarly activity
Experience collaborating with community, industry, or foundation partners
Experience managing a center, including staff and a budget
To ensure consideration, interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three professional references on Xavier University's website.
Review of applications will start on
November 4, 2025 . Applications will be accepted until the position closes at the University's discretion.
**** BENEFITS:
Xavier University offers a wide array of complementary and affordable benefit options to meet the financial, educational, health, and wellness needs of you and your family. Eligibility varies by position and employment class.
Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
Tax advantaged accounts including health savings account, flexible spending accounts, and dependent care account.
Financial security via life and long-term disability insurance, accident and illness insurance, and retirement savings plans.
Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
Tuition remission for employees and their eligible dependents.
Required Skills
Required Experience
Strengthen scholarly activity by building collaborative networks internally and with external partners
Identify and expand external grant funding supporting scholarship and programmatic activities
Encourage the participation of undergraduate and graduate students in research, scholarly, and creative activity
Support professional development related to research and scholarly activities, including by providing training, consultation and mentorship
Foster a university culture that recognizes scholarly and creative activity
Contribute to creating and sustaining a culture of ethics and robust policies supporting research integrity
The Director provides leadership to the CRE, promoting a shared vision for research excellence that reflects Xavier’s Jesuit mission and is responsive to the needs and aspirations of faculty, staff, and students across disciplines. In this role, the Director fosters a thriving research environment by coordinating support structures, advocating for resources, and promoting ethical and responsible research practices. The Director builds capacity and expertise in research through mentorship, training, and collaboration; supports student engagement in research and creative work; and leads efforts to enhance the visibility and impact of Xavier’s scholarly contributions. A key priority for this role is fostering collaboration among Xavier’s academic programs and external partners to advance multidisciplinary research, including related to interprofessional education (IPE).
RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide strategic leadership and vision for research and scholarship
Articulate and promote a cohesive vision for research and creative activity at Xavier that aligns with the University’s Jesuit mission, academic priorities, and commitment to interprofessional and interdisciplinary learning.
Engage regularly with faculty, staff, and students to assess research needs and identify institutional priorities
Advise institutional leadership, contributing to strategic and academic planning
Enhance the visibility and impact of research at Xavier, including developing strategies to raise the University’s research profile regionally and nationally
Advocate for resources, internal and external, to strengthen the infrastructure supporting scholarly activity
Oversee and coordinate collection and communication of data on research activity, including for the annual NCES HERD survey
Build capacity and promote collaboration in research and scholarly activity
Develop and coordinate professional development programs, workshops, and mentorship opportunities
Oversee programs that provide internal funding and resources to support faculty research
Facilitate cross-disciplinary collaboration among faculty through research interest groups, writing communities, networking tools, etc.
Catalyze new research and IPE-focused initiatives by convening groups and facilitating planning around strategic priorities or opportunities
Guide faculty teams through the proposal development processes
Partner with the Office of Grant Services to strengthen faculty success in securing external funding, including both small and large-scale, multidisciplinary projects, community-engaged projects, and research around interprofessional education and practices.
Promote and support student research scholarship, and creative activity
Provide direction to the Director of Undergraduate Research
Track the participation of students in research, scholarly, and creative activity
Promote research as means to recruit and retain talented, diverse students
Coordinate training and resources to foster student research skills, including ethical and responsible research practices
In collaboration with others, showcase and celebrate student research and creative activity
Foster and sustain a culture of ethics and research integrity
Lead efforts to ensure that Xavier’s research practices reflect the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and regulatory compliance.
Develop and implement policies consistent with federal and state regulations, and emerging best practices in responsible research conduct
Monitor regulatory developments that impact funding, compliance, or research practices
Effectively communicate relevant internal policies and federal and state guidelines and regulations, including by providing or coordinating training
Provide leadership to offices and areas supporting research, including Grant Services, IRB and Undergraduate Research, and coordination with additional campus partners, including the Center for Teaching Excellence, University Library and Development Office
This is a 12-month, on-campus position. Typical work hours are in-person M-F 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, with occasional need for earlier or later hours. Hybrid scheduling may be available during the summer.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s degree
Experience in higher education
Success as a PI or leader of an independent research program
Experience mentoring faculty and/or students, particularly related to scholarly activity
A solid understanding of sponsored research and competitiveness strategies, particularly in the context of a predominantly undergraduate institution
Firm knowledge of grant writing best practices
Strong ability to communicate effectively and work with members of the academic and research community
Experience with meeting deadlines, prioritizing responsibilities, attending to details, taking initiative, and working independently and with a team to carry out challenging assignments
Experience providing project management support in a team context or successfully managing complex projects
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Doctoral degree
Experience designing and delivering training, particularly on topics related to research project development and grant-seeking
Demonstrated success in shepherding interdisciplinary strategic initiatives for external funding
Experience mentoring faculty and/or students, particularly related to scholarly activity
Experience collaborating with community, industry, or foundation partners
Experience managing a center, including staff and a budget
To ensure consideration, interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three professional references on Xavier University's website.
Review of applications will start on
November 4, 2025 . Applications will be accepted until the position closes at the University's discretion.
**** BENEFITS:
Xavier University offers a wide array of complementary and affordable benefit options to meet the financial, educational, health, and wellness needs of you and your family. Eligibility varies by position and employment class.
Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
Tax advantaged accounts including health savings account, flexible spending accounts, and dependent care account.
Financial security via life and long-term disability insurance, accident and illness insurance, and retirement savings plans.
Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
Tuition remission for employees and their eligible dependents.
Required Skills
Required Experience