Associate Dean for Research

About Us: The School of Data Science is a forward-thinking institution dedicated to advancing education and research in the dynamic field of data science. As a fast-growing school at the University of Virginia, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and innovative environment where faculty, staff, and students can grow and thrive.

Position Overview:The Associate Dean for Research (ADR) in the School of Data Science (SDS) will provide strategic leadership and vision for the research mission of the school. This role involves defining research directions, fostering interdisciplinary research, managing research administration, developing new research initiatives, and supporting faculty and students in achieving high-impact scholarly outcomes. The ADR reports directly to the Dean, is part of the Dean’s Cabinet, and collaborates with other academic and administrative leaders within and across schools as well as the Office for the Vice President for Research (VPR) to enhance the school’s research enterprise.

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee the sponsored and internal research portfolio of grants and contracts for the School of Data Science.
• Provide visionary and strategic leadership to further enhance the diversity and extent of the research portfolio.
• Advance the SDS Strategic Plan and maintain support for the school’s critical initiatives, while assuring SDS’s ongoing contribution to the advancement of the University's strategic research plan and priorities.
• Direct development of policies, procedures, and communications for the SDS research enterprise.
• Develop strategies to foster research collaborations within SDS, across UVA, and outside UVA with existing and new research partners, both public and private.
• Identify, secure, and help to develop new resources, including infrastructure, to facilitate/elevate faculty-led research programs and strategies.
• Sustain growth of sponsored research and innovation in a time of uncertain funding.
• Oversee the Assistant Dean for Research to develop, coordinate, and assess strategies to maximize faculty success in securing externally sponsored contracts and grants for research.
• With the Assistant Dean for Research, facilitate faculty research mentorship within SDS and contribute to professional development.
• Develop and coordinate specific strategies to successfully compete for large, multi-investigator and multi-institutional contracts and grants.
• Work with the UVA VPR Office, UVA Advancement, the Dean, and other stakeholders to maintain effective links with government agencies, industry organizations, and foundations relevant to the SDS research activities.
• Represent SDS research interests with the broader community and promote faculty research activities to external stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to enhance educational research opportunities and programming for students, along with the Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs, and the academic program directors, as appropriate.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Provide direct supervision of the Assistant Dean for Research.
• Provide administrative leadership to the SDS Office of Research Administration.
• Develop metrics to assess the outcomes of research efforts and evaluate faculty and research administration team effectiveness.
• Oversee the SDS research budget.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates for the Associate Dean for Research in the School of Data Science MUST demonstrate the following qualifications:

• Ability to qualify for an appointment at the tenured full professor rank in the School of Data Science.
• Established record of accomplishment of sustained sponsored research.

Preferred Qualifications

Candidates for the Associate Dean for Research in the School of Data Science SHOULD demonstrate the following qualifications:

• Experience with research collaboration across interdisciplinary boundaries.
• Experience with implementing strategies to develop and expand external research partnerships.
• Significant knowledge on current federal funding agency strategic initiatives and focus areas.
• Significant knowledge of funding agencies available to the broad interests of the SDS community.
• Experience with budgeting for research projects and initiatives, including approaches for optimizing existing resources.
• Ability to work with members of the leadership team to ensure research project staffing, contracts, and best practices.
• A record of strong teamwork, ethical behavior, and collaboration with faculty, administrators, and staff.
• Administrative experience.
• A clear vision for research development, optimizing resource utilization, and securing new resources.
• Experience with building interdisciplinary partnerships and research teams.
• Ability to provide leadership with research program development.

Application Instructions

To apply for this position, please submit the following items as individual files:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Research Statement
• Teaching Statement
• Contact information for three (3) professional references

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

For questions about the application process please contact Jennifer Kirkham, Manager for Faculty Affairs at the School of Data Science, at sdsfacultyaffairs@virginia.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.

The University of Virginia offers confidential Dual Career Services to partners of incoming faculty candidates. To learn more, please visit dualcareer.virginia.edu