Associate Dean for Research, School of Social Work

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

Unit: School of Social Work

Department: School of Social Work

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Associate Dean for Research is a member of the Dean's senior administrative team and oversees the overall research efforts of the School of Social Work. Through management of the Office of Research (OOR) and consultation with faculty members, this position provides conceptualization, design, and budgetary assistance, and other forms of support, for grant proposals and ongoing research activities. Emphasis is placed on: supporting individual faculty members to advance funded programs of research; building research collaborations between the SSW and university community, as well as local and state partners; and furthering the research culture of the SSW. Duties and responsibilities will include:

Academic Administration

• Oversee the School’s Office of Research and collaborate with the school’s senior research administrator on research budgets, external grant development, grants and contracts management, and negotiation of project supports

• Represent the School at the VCU Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPRI) and Innovation and its subsidiaries, e.g., Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Development Advisory Committee (ReDAC) and other entities as assigned by the dean 

• Serve on the Dean’s Executive Team for schoolwide planning and operations and apprise the dean of funding opportunities and activities, e.g., budget, projects, and needs

• Provide leadership and guidance in monitoring the school’s infrastructure to optimize external funding and research activities

 Research Grants and Contracts

• Work with other VCU entities, e.g., Office of Research and Innovation, other schools and departments, and research centers to identify and develop opportunities for interdisciplinary research activities  

• Maintain an active program of externally-funded research 

• Apprise the faculty of opportunities for research funding's and collaborative projects

• Manage the allocation of internal school research funds and student Research Assistant positions

• Assist with institutional review board applications and other regulatory issues, as needed

• Consult with PhD program director on Graduate Research Assistant appointments to funded projects

 Promote a Vibrant, Collaborative, and Sustainable Culture of Research

• Develop and oversee a research mentoring program for faculty and students  

• Coordinate research presentations and workshops with, by and for faculty and PhD students

• Coordinate research office activities with the director of communications re: website, social media, and other communication platforms  

• Communicate current and anticipated research policies and activities through regular meetings with faculty 

• Administer the research/study leave program for qualified faculty members

Qualifications:

• Currently tenured associate professor or full professor  

• Doctoral degree in social work or a closely related discipline  

• Strong record of externally- funded research, publications, and teaching  

• Well-developed scholarly/research portfolio with evidence of interdisciplinary applications and external funding that complements and extends faculty expertise in the school  

• Demonstrated experience in mentoring faculty in research program development

• Significant interdisciplinary experience with social science and health-related disciplines

• Excellent written and oral communication and organizational and problem-solving skills

• Ability to track, manage, and direct multiple tasks, set priorities, and work effectively with a wide range of individuals and groups

• Experience with writing and reviewing federal, state, and foundation grants and contracts

• Administrative leadership and supervisory experience in an academic setting  

• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with writing and/or reviewing federal grants and contracts 

• Administrative leadership and supervisory experience in an academic setting

Opportunity for Post-doctoral Scholar Appointment:

• The incumbent for this position is invited to appoint a one-year funded postdoctoral scholar, with potential for a second-year renewal.

Salary Range: $150,000 - $165,000

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Rank: Associate or Full Professor

Tenure: Tenure Track

Months: 9-month