Vice President for Research and Innovation

Miami University seeks a visionary, creative, collaborative leader and scholar to serve as its Vice President for Research and Innovation (VPRI). Reporting to the Provost and serving on the President’s Executive Council (PEC), this individual will lead the strategic growth of research activities and oversee the management of research operations. This is an exciting opportunity to join an institution long known for its strength in undergraduate education and experiential learning that is making significant investments to grow its research enterprise. The VPRI’s work will be guided by an ambitious strategic plan that calls for the promotion and facilitation of an expanded culture of research and innovation characterized by high-impact, interdisciplinary work and a strong infrastructure that celebrates the intellectual power of the university in all its forms.

Miami University serves more than 22,000 students across five colleges and two schools on its main, regional, and online campuses. The institution’s sponsored research has steadily grown in recent years and continues its upwards trajectory, with more than $24 million in funding for 2018, a 35% increase from 2017. Additionally, Miami University has solidified key relationships with partners like Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Procter & Gamble to drive student-centered innovation activities. As a leader for both research and innovation, the VPRI will facilitate groundbreaking scholarship within the university, partnerships to benefit engagement and research, and the dissemination and commercialization of those discoveries for a broader impact.

The VPRI is a member of the President’s Executive Council (PEC) and the Provost’s leadership team. This individual will work closely with the Provost, Deans, and center and institute directors to facilitate research excellence and innovation at Miami. This individual leads a team that oversees pre-award and non-financial post-award research administration, compliance, research development, research infrastructure, intellectual property development, technology transfer, commercialization, and strategic collaborations. 

Miami University seeks a VPRI who will provide visionary leadership for the university’s research, scholarly, and creative programs; stimulate and support interdisciplinary research and innovation; leverage the excellent existing undergraduate research infrastructure to broaden the scope and impact of the overall enterprise; engage all stakeholders across the university; promote engagement in research, scholarship, and artistry throughout all disciplines within the university; support emerging efforts in new areas of teaching, scholarship, and engagement; and foster a culture of excitement for the personal and professional rewards of discovery, scholarship, and creative work.

The successful candidate will have an earned doctorate or its equivalent, a strong personal record of funded research, thorough knowledge of the operations and practices of a comprehensive research-oriented university, proven administrative success, and achievements in academia that merit appointment as a tenured full professor in a discipline represented at Miami University. This individual will display the emotional intelligence and interpersonal abilities necessary to lead and inspire diverse constituents while working across and throughout the university and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Miami University has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this search. All inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed in confidence to:

Natalie Leonhard, Partner
Caitlin Barrett, Senior Associate
Nicholas Vance, Associate
Isaacson, Miller
263 Summer Street 
Boston, MA 02210

Electronic submission of materials is encouraged via: www.imsearch.com/7300 

Miami University, an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, encourages applications from minorities, women, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Miami University prohibits harassment, discrimination and retaliation on the basis of age (40 years or older), color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin (ancestry), pregnancy, race, religion, sex/gender, status as a parent or foster parent, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities, programs or employment practices. Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to ADAFacultyStaff@miamioh.edu or 513-529-3560.

As part of the University’s commitment to maintaining a healthy and safe living, learning, and working environment, we encourage you to read Miami University’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report at: http://www.MiamiOH.edu/campus-safety/annual-report/index.html, which contains information about campus safety, crime statistics, and our drug and alcohol abuse and prevention program designed to prevent the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of drugs and alcohol on campus and at university events and activities. This report also contains information on programs and policies designed to prevent and address sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Each year, email notification of this website is made to all faculty, staff, and enrolled students. Written notification is also provided to prospective students and employees. Hard copies of the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report may be obtained from the Miami University Police Department at (513) 529-2223.

Submit cover letter and resume.  Direct inquiries to Ruth Groom at groomra@miamioh.edu.  Screening of applications will continue until position is filled.

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