Senior Associate Vice President For Knight Campus Academics And Research

The University of Oregon seeks a dynamic, proven, and dedicated leader in academic innovation to serve as the next Senior Associate Vice President of Academics and Research at the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact. The desired candidate will have a proven track record of delivering results, leading change, implementing innovative solutions, developing their team, and working collaboratively across a complex organization and a broad range of community partners. The Knight Campus The Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact is a billion-dollar initiative designed to fast-track scientific discoveries and the process of turning those discoveries into innovations that improve the quality of life for people in Oregon, the nation and beyond. The Knight Campus reshapes the higher education landscape in Oregon by training the next generations of scientists, forging tighter ties with industry and entrepreneurs, and creating new educational opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students. The Knight Campus is dedicated to developing a robust menu of training and professional development opportunities for faculty and students in the sciences. Examples of programming include a number of degree-granting, graduate training programs in the physical and life sciences. The purpose of these programs is to train scientists in an accelerated academic format and provide opportunities for real-world knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in the industrial environment. The Knight Campus expects to grow to at least 30 research programs in the 2030s from the 11 active in 2023. Supported by outstanding research facilities within the Knight Campus and with full access to the shared facilities, equipment, and services of the main UO Campus, Knight Campus faculty are expected to excel in sponsored research, teaching and service to their community. Knight Campus faculty-led labs range in focus from 3D printing and laser microfabrication to gene therapy, tissue regeneration, and polymer chemistry. In fiscal year 2023, sponsored awards totaled over $20 million from a range of funders including the NIH, NSF, and foundations. University of Oregon Founded in 1876, the University of Oregon ("UO") is the state's flagship institution. It brings together more than 23,800 undergraduate and graduate students from all fifty states and over 91 countries and offers 315 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its nine academic units. The UO is a comprehensive public research university committed to exceptional teaching, discovery, and service. The UO is a Carnegie R1 research university, a member of the Association of American Universities, a member of the Big 10 Athletic Conference, and currently employs nearly 2,100 teaching and research faculty and over 3,800 staff. In Fiscal Year 2024, the UO received $177 million in grants, contracts, and competitive awards. The UO serves as an integral economic driver for the state, with an estimated $2.6 billion annual economic return to Oregon. The main campus spreads over 295 acres and serves as an arboretum and a tree identification classroom. The total university budget was over $1.6 billion for operations, with an additional $195 million of capital investments completed last fiscal year. Under President Karl Scholz, the UO is embarking upon a comprehensive strategic plan, "Oregon Rising," which centers on four core goals concerning enhancing pathways to timely graduation; becoming a leader in career preparation; creating a flourishing community; and accelerating the University's impact on the world. With respect to the last goal, the UO has identified four areas of signature scholarship. They are Environmental Resilience, Youth Behavioral and Mental Health, Human Performance and Sport, and Accelerating Innovation and Scientific Impact. The UO is in the Willamette Valley, with easy access to snow-capped mountains and scenic coastlines. It is only two hours away from Portland, and one hour away from the state capital in Salem. The area enjoys a mild climate. Nicknamed "TrackTown USA," Eugene is a green-friendly university city that is home to numerous running, biking, and hiking trails, farmer's markets, and thriving restaurants. While retaining the feel of a modest-sized town, it has the amenities and economic energy that flow from a population of over 230,000 residents between Eugene and the neighboring city of Springfield. Position This position is the second in command to the Vice President for all research and academic matters at the Knight Campus. It is responsible for development and implementation of an overall Knight Campus training and professional development plan and has a leading role in the development of degree granting academic programs. The position has supervisory responsibility for the administrative leads for existing degree-granting graduate programs. The position has financial authority for accounts related to academic programming, research core facilities located in the Knight Campus and large, shared equipment refresh programs. The position is the lead in developing and maintaining a laboratory safety culture throughout the facilities. The position will provide leadership and representation of Knight Campus initiatives and programs within the University and externally as requested by the Vice President/Executive Director. Duties and Responsibilities Leadership, Administration and Development of Academics Partner with college deans, faculty leaders and institute directors on cross disciplinary academic programming involving the Knight Campus. Develop and oversee new applied science and engineering master's programs in collaboration with colleagues in the Knight Campus, the UO and industry collaborators. Develop and oversee new minor programs in collaboration with colleagues in the Knight Campus, the UO and industry collaborators. Serve as first point of contact for inter-departmental or inter-institutional academic programs. Develop overarching conceptual underpinnings for curricula, professional training, and safety training protocols for the Knight Campus. Direct supervision of administrative leads for existing degree-granting graduate programs in the Knight Campus. Direct supervision and coordination of all professional development programs for students and faculty in the Knight Campus including the development of new programming. Financial authority for accounts related to academic programs and professional development programs. Build capacity and mentor faculty as they contribute to curricula and programs for existing and new academic programs, curriculum, and student training opportunities. Oversee submission of new academic tracks and programs proposal material through graduate school, the State, and other academic approval processes. Lead or joint-lead submission of proposals to industry or governmental sponsors of innovative academic programs. Lead or joint-lead workshop/classroom instruction as appropriate. Research Program Visioning, Development and Oversight With colleagues (Knight Campus, Institute, and Department leaders), develop multiyear plans of action with accountability milestones for growth of research program and initiatives. With colleagues, partner with University of Oregon college deans, faculty leaders, institute directors, and others on cross disciplinary research programming involving the Knight Campus. With department chairs and program directors conduct faculty recruitment; develop onboarding plans and trainings to successfully transition new PIs research programs into the Knight Campus. Work with PIs and Knight Campus leadership on significant renovations to research spaces to support new research activity. Facilitate planning and submission of large equipment and/or interdisciplinary grant proposals with colleagues. Work with development officers on research related philanthropic pitches and stewardship. Serve as primary liaison to VPRI research development services on proposal development and support and on limited submission process. Report on research matters to the Vice President, other university leaders and the External Advisory Board as requested by the Vice President. Serve as primary liaison with VPRI research integrity units (e.g., IRB, IACUC, conflict management, etc.). Coordinate with UO EHS for research spaces. Oversee lab safety plans, protocols, training, and implementation. Oversee Knight Campus documentation for research compliance matters. Consult with Knight Campus research administration on sponsored project requirements and guidelines. Act as PI on grant and foundation proposals as appropriate. Knight Campus Core Facilities Coordination and Oversight Oversee all research core facilities located within the Knight Campus. Lead financial planning and oversight of financial accounts related to research core facilities located in the Knight Campus and large, shared equipment refresh programs. Supervise or co-supervise facility directors and lead technical staff for cores located within the Knight Campus. Lead, co-lead or engage in submission of proposals to industry or governmental sponsors of large equipment purchases. Strategize continuous improvement and business development for research core facilities with Knight Campus leadership. Serve as primary liaison on core research facility matters with the office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation. Other duties as assigned Including, but not exclusive to, representing the Knight Campus at external events and activities and special projects as assigned by the Executive Director/Vice President. Qualifications The Search Committee encourages those who have demonstrated a strong record on the professional competencies outlined above to apply to be the next Senior Associate Vice President, Academics and Research at the Knight Campus. Minimum Qualifications: Ph.D. or equivalent from an accredited institution of higher education. Distinguished record in teaching, research/creative activity, and professional service sufficient to merit appointment as a tenured Associate or Full Professor at the University of Oregon. Experience in applied training program in scientific fields. Preferred Qualifications: Faculty appointment in bioengineering, biomedical engineering, materials science, materials engineering, biology, chemistry, or physics. 10+ years of experience in instruction at an accredited institution of higher education. 10+ years of demonstrated experience working with business entities on research and development activities. 5+ years of experience in management of professional and technical employees. Professional Competencies: Must have strong professional communication (written and oral), interpersonal, and public relations skills. Must be able to represent the organization in a professional manner, recruit, and work within a diverse community, and follow all university policies and procedures. Must have experience managing financial accounts with a preference for individuals who have managed budgets related to federally funded sponsored research. Demonstrated organizational, time management, multi-tasking, and planning capabilities.   Search Team and Application Process The Search Committee invites nominations, applications (a letter of interest, full curriculum vitae or resume, and the names and contact information of five or more references) or expressions of interest to be forwarded to the search firm assisting the University of Oregon (electronic submissions preferred). Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. It is preferred that all nominations and applications are submitted to the search firm by Friday, February 28 th , 2025. Laurie C. Wilder, President Porsha L. Williams, Vice President Jacob C. Anderson, Senior Principal Jack McGrew, Associate Parker Executive Search Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875 Atlanta, GA 30328 Phone: (678) 775-4564 ****** || ****** || ****** || ****** An equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.