Vice President for Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

OPEN TO CURRENT UCONN AND UCONN HEALTH EMPLOYEES ONLY

Job Summary

The Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (VPRIE) plays an essential role in the central leadership of the University’s research, scholarly, creative, and economic development missions. Reporting to the President, the VPRIE provides leadership, oversight, vision, and management of the University’s research enterprise and directs and facilitates commercialization and economic development efforts. This includes oversight at all UConn campuses including Storrs, regional campuses, UConn Health, and the Law School. This individual will also identify and develop innovative research strategies to create a research-enriched learning experience for the University’s students, faculty, and partners. Cultivating relationships between the University and its private, public, federal, and community-based partners is a priority for the VPRIE.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Oversee the service units of the Office of the Vice President for Research, including: (1) Sponsored Program Services, (2) Research Administration & Development Services, (3) Research Integrity & Compliance, (4) Animal Care Services, (5) Research Security, (6) Research Financial Services, and (7) Technology Commercialization Services.
  • Oversee the following University-wide Centers, Institutes, and Programs; (1) Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP), (2) CT Sea Grant College Program, (3) CT Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA), (4) Innovation Partnership Building at the UConn Tech Park, and (5) the Center for Open Research Resources and Equipment (COR2E).
  • Work in close collaboration with the Provost and other senior leaders in the strategic visioning and planning process for the University as well as lead the strategic planning for the Office of the Vice President for Research.
  • Oversee efforts to maintain and enhance UConn’s tech transfer, commercialization, venture development, new company creation, technology incubation program, strengthening of industry research partnerships, promotion of innovation/entrepreneurship, and economic development.
  • Uphold the University’s “very high” research classification ranking by the Carnegie Commissions.
  • Identify, develop and nurture innovative, collaborative and strategic research initiatives; promote inter- and multi-disciplinary research, scholarship, and creative works; promote research collaborations between UConn Storrs, UCH, JAX, Yale, and regional partners in NY and New England.
  • Develop strategies to ensure a necessary research infrastructure is available and aligned with existing research strengths, emerging research opportunities, and regulatory requirements.
  • Serve as liaison with federal and state agencies related to research and economic development.
  • Serve as the Institutional Official (IO) for the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees and the Institutional Review Boards as the legally authorized representative for UConn/UCH, ensuring compliance with the Terms of the Assurances.
  • Provide strategic guidance for the research enterprise through analysis of current and emerging financial, policy, scientific, and regulatory trends.
  • Ensure regulatory compliance as it relates to research, in all its forms and functions, including export controls, human subjects, biosafety, animal welfare, stem cells, financial conflict of interest, research security, institutional conflict of interest, and clinical trials.
  • Actively participate in campus space and facilities planning as it relates to research.
  • Pursue and promote, in collaboration with the University’s Office of Governmental Relations, federal and state support for strategic research and economic development initiatives.
  • Coordinate with the Board of Regents, UCH Board of Directors, and other Connecticut constituent groups, on research and economic development matters.
  • Advise the President, Provost/Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance/CFP, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs/Chief Executive Officer, and executive advisory bodies in decision-making and oversight of general and research-related university matters as a member of the President’s cabinet.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Tenured Full Professor at the University of Connecticut/UConn Health.
  • Experience leading and managing research programs/initiatives.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience leading a university unit (department, center/institute, college/school, large academic or research program/initiative, etc).
  • Experience securing external funding for research, scholarship, commercialization, or entrepreneurial efforts.

Appointment Terms

This is a full-time, 12-month, management-exempt position. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

To Apply

Please apply online at http://jobs.hr.uconn.edu/cw/en-us/job/497358?lApplicationSubSourceID= and upload a curriculum vitae and a list of at least 3 professional references. In addition, please submit a cover letter that addresses your specific interest in the position, what you hope to accomplish in the role and your skills and experiences that directly relate to the position.

For confidential inquiries, nominations, or additional information please contact:

Dr. Michelle Williams
Chief of Staff
Office of the President
michelle.williams@uconn.edu

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on April 10, 2023.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.