Associate Provost of Research & Innovation

The Associate Provost of Research and Innovation (“APRI”) is the chief research officer with specific responsibilities to work with the university leadership (provost and academic deans) to develop, coordinate, and report research activities. This position also manages the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) and oversees leasing for the MARBIONC (MARine BIOtechnology in North Carolina) facility.

Details:
As chief research officer, the Associate Provost provides leadership regarding research policies and activity, including:

• Collaborating with university leadership (Chancellor, Provost, academic deans, center and institute leaders, department chairs/school directors, and other campus leaders) to advance research at the university with the goal of increasing extramural funding.

• Identify infrastructure needs (e.g., physical, technology) and expand support for a broad range of research, scholarly, innovation and creative activities;

• Implement ways to monitor, evaluate, and report progress for research and innovation using appropriate software tools(e.g., Digital Measures)

• Promote research and innovation initiatives and accomplishments at the university (e.g., publication of an annual Research Magazine, social media or marketing campaigns, etc.) both internally and externally to the community

• Guide the university in defining and meeting existing and emerging research and innovation opportunities.

• Serve as the Authorized Official for all UNCW research-related sponsored program and grant activities.

• Supervises the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance (“SPARC”), which oversees sponsored award lifecycle from pre-award to post-award activities. This includes chairing committees such as the F&A Review Committee (appointed by the Provost) which recommends to the Provost, per policy, an annual budget for the allocation of research revenues, including F&A/overhead receipts.

• Fosters interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary research and innovation through a variety of initiatives, events and programming,

• Facilitates activities that involve technology transfer. Provides oversight for projects that require intellectual property or other patentable technology, processes, or elements derived from or the result of research or innovation activity.

• Seeks to establish regional, state, national and international collaborative research partnerships at the university and community, as well as expand and cultivate relationships with industry, government, and private foundations that support research.

• Participates in federal and state research policy making and strives to ensure compliance across all research activity with all regulations, policies, ethical standards, and laws that govern externally sponsored research programs and activities (funding and otherwise).

• Promotes and affirms integrity of research processes and policies within the university, including associated business processes and policies.

• Oversees leasing aspects of the MARBIONC facility.

Areas reporting to the Associate Provost include: 

• Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance (“SPARC”)

• Institute for Interdisciplinary Identity Studies (“I3S”)

• Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (“CIE”)

• Office for Innovation and Commercialization (“OIC”)

• Office of Research Integrity (“RI”)

• Other programs and initiatives assigned by the Provost and Chancellor

• An earned terminal degree in an academic discipline from an accredited institution.

• Demonstrated experience as an academic leader including successful implementation of complex initiatives, and vast experience with personnel and budget management.

• A record of distinguished accomplishments consistent with an appointment as a faculty member with tenure at UNCW. Full Professor (or credentials to obtain Full Professorship)

• A track record of direct experience as a principal investigator or substantive contributor on sponsored research projects, including the mentorship of junior faculty investigators.

• Evidence of working with entrepreneurship and innovation in a university setting.

• The ability to be a dynamic, energetic, articulate and motivational team builder and a visionary with a commitment to transdisciplinary principles.

• The ability to manage complex academic organizations, work effectively and collegially with all members of the campus and community, promote shared governance, and exhibit excellent communication skills, sound judgement and decisive leadership.

• Ambition to actively seek opportunities to substantially increase the level of sponsored programs and activities at UNCW (both in terms of number of awards and funding level).

• Ability to interpret and execute policy and process related to financial and human resource management, including budget analysis and allocation, personnel supervision, and ensuring compliance with any applicable federal, state, university system, and university regulations, rules, and/or policies.

• Significant and successful experience with budget management and staff supervision 

• Familiarity with and experience in the compliance aspects of sponsored research programs and activities, including applicable regulations, policies, ethical standards, and laws

• A record of achievement in technology transfer and interaction with private or commercial entities, including experience with patent protection and intellectual property matters

• Existing relationships with external funding agencies or entities who are, or may become, partners with UNCW, or some evidence of the potential to establish such relationships

• Understanding of external funding organizations as demonstrated by serving as a grant reviewer (e.g., NIH, NSF)

Academic Affairs is the central division for implementing the mission of the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Through effective academic policies, practices and programs, it provides leadership for excellence in teaching, scholarship and creative work as well as service to local, regional and global communities. The division allocates resources to recruit and retain faculty scholars and to create a learning environment that encourages students to think critically; develop problem solving and communication skills; foster an appreciation for all forms of scholarship; and value lifelong learning. In collaboration with other divisions of the university, Academic Affairs: supports technology-based instruction and learning both on campus and through distance education; encourages intellectual inquiry across disciplines to promote innovation and discovery; and provides for the economic, social and cultural advancement of the greater Wilmington community through continuing personal and professional education Academic Affairs is the central division for implementing the mission of the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Its primary role is leading and coordinating academic strategic planning. Through effective academic policies, practices and programs, it provides leadership for excellence in teaching, scholarship and creative work, as well as service to local, regional and global communities for faculty and students.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is dedicated to learning through the integration of teaching and mentoring with research and service. Guided by our Strategic Plan, the university is committed to nurturing a campus culture that reflects its values of diversity and globalization, ethics and integrity, and excellence and innovation. A public institution with nearly 17,000 students, the university is focused on supporting and enhancing the student-centered learning experience that has been a hallmark since its founding in 1947. UNCW offers an array of programs at the baccalaureate and master’s levels, and doctoral programs in marine biology, educational leadership, psychology and nursing practice. UNCW is one of the 17 institutions that make up the UNC System.

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is committed to and will provide equality of educational and employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents – except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.

Priority consideration will be given to applications received by the Priority Date; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.