The Assistant Dean for Research (ADR) is a staff position based in the Office of the Dean, College of Connected Computing (CCC) at Vanderbilt University. The successful candidate will serve on the leadership team of the Dean's Office, working under the direction of the Associate Dean for Research to lead, execute, and manage various functions related to the support of the research enterprise within CCC. The ADR is expected to collaborate productively with other members of the leadership team of the Office of the Dean of CCC, as well as with counterparts located in other Schools and Offices across the University, such as the Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR), the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization (CTTC), the VU Office of Research Compliance, lab safety officers, VUIT, Sponsored Projects Administration, Research Finance, Development, and Communications.
Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to, college-level pre-award coordination, review and approval; strategic leadership on research administration matters; training and oversight of grants managers; conflict-of-interest management and compliance; research analytics and reporting; support for interdisciplinary research initiatives; and fostering partnerships with industry and external stakeholders.
About the Work Unit:
The College of Connected Computing (CCC) is Vanderbilt's groundbreaking interdisciplinary college, designed to foster radical collaboration at the intersection of computing and other disciplines. By uniting scholars, students, and industry, the CCC is committed to addressing society's most pressing problems through technology and collaboration. The Office of the Dean supports the mission of Vanderbilt University by serving the needs of CCC faculty, students, staff, centers, and research initiatives, in accordance with Vanderbilt's policies and procedures.
About Vanderbilt University:
Situated in Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt University is recognized globally for its rigorous academic programs and dedication to innovative research and development, fostering a community committed to making a positive impact through discovery and teamwork.
Key Functions and Expected Performance:
Research Administration Leadership (20%)
In conjunction with the Associate Dean for Research, develop and implement policies, procedures, operations, and strategic initiatives for the research activities of the College of Connected Computing.Coordinate pre-award resources across the college to ensure efficient utilization of resources and support to faculty submitting proposals.Provide strategic leadership and advise the Dean and faculty on research activities relative to space planning, faculty recruitment and start-up, conflicts of interest, and staff support levels.Provide leadership, training, and oversight of pre- and post-award grants managers and other CCC staff involved in research administration.Foster collaboration and partnership with internal and external stakeholders to promote interdisciplinary research initiatives at the intersection of computing and other disciplines.Represent and advocate for CCC in various venues, including university-wide committees and working groups focused on research.Maintain up-to-date knowledge and implement changes in research administration, including new sponsor and university procedures and systems; modify and document workflows accordingly.Prepare standard operating procedures (SOPs), as needed, for tasks related to research logistics and compliance.Grants and Compliance Management (40%)
Be proficient in reviewing and interpreting sponsor guidelines for multiple agencies and multiple types of proposals and awards.Oversee college-level pre-award coordination, review, and approval processes.Assist in post-award matters, including closeouts and support for units that have staffing level dips or unanticipated work volume.Serve as college-level effort certification coordinator.Review and approve retroactive transfer requests.Develop and maintain clear and transparent systems for enforcing proposal submission timelines and timely post-award finance and reporting processes.Monitor compliance with agency and University regulations.Collect data requested by the OVPR or other higher administration at VU related to various CCC activities and sponsored entities.Conflict of Interest Management (10%)
Lead conflicts of interest management and compliance activities, including organizing annual reviews of faculty with COI management plans.Make arrangements to retain external COI management examiners, lead review meetings, write reports, and solicit required reports from faculty.Monitor the submission of COI-related activity time logs for faculty required to submit such logs on a regular basis.Support internal review processes, including COI disclosures and PI management plan implementation.Technology Transfer and Industry Partnerships (10%)
Serve as the primary CCC liaison with the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization (CTTC) to promote the development of research collaborations and partnerships between CCC faculty and corporate partners.Support initiatives that connect faculty research with industry applications and commercialization opportunities.Assist with planning and execution of advisory board meetings and industry engagement events.Reporting, Analytics, and Strategic Support (10%)
Develop analytics and reports on college-wide research funding and expenditure trends and projections for the Dean and other leaders.Advise the Dean on research trends, including potential gaps in PI funding, changes in space needs, college financial commitments, and personnel needs.Be a thought partner for the Dean on all sponsored research-related activities within the college, providing valuable analysis, data, and insights for leadership to make informed strategic and operational decisions.Forecast multi-year research expenditure projections for CCC for use in college-wide financial modeling and projections.Provide a set of consistent and standardized reports related to the CCC research portfolio to leaders on a regular basis.Respond to requests for data and information from college and university leaders.Prepare and submit reports periodically to the Dean or to other senior leaders, as needed.Faculty Support and Development (5%)
Manage faculty incentives/rewards programs and related record-keeping and reporting.Manage the promotion and administration of internal grants programs and related record keeping and reporting.Promote the nominations of faculty for internal, national, and international awards.Work with counterparts in the OVPR to assist with equipment grant submissions (NIH S10, NSF MRI, etc.).Communicate useful information regarding research and compliance policies to CCC faculty, including organizing educational/tutorial events.Assist with faculty searches led by the Dean's Office, if needed.Additional Responsibilities (5%)
Participate in university committee work if called on to do so (Compliance, Safety, Research Administration, etc.).Participate in the oversight and coordination of IT activities, particularly as it relates to high-performance computing, computer security initiatives, and data storage and retention compliance issues.Serve as the CCC liaison for Export Control and other compliance matters.Proof, finalize, send, and archive important letters on behalf of the Office of the Dean of CCC.Curate long-term-accessible storage computer files related to research administration work.Attend research administrative-related campus presentations, workshops, and training.Participate in professional development opportunities.Communicate to all faculty regarding opportunities, news releases, changes to proposal or award guidelines, and changes to rules and regulations.Conduct various projects commissioned by the Dean as needed.Participate in leadership team meetings for CCC.Other related duties as assigned and necessary to support the college's research portfolio.Supervisory Relationships:
The Assistant Dean for Research (ADR) will report to the Associate Dean for Research at the College of Connected Computing. The ADR will assign work on behalf of the Dean and is expected to provide oversight and coordination of grants managers and other research administration staff within the college. This position may have supervisory responsibility over direct reports as the college grows.
Education and Certifications:
A bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (computing, engineering, natural sciences, etc.), public administration, business administration, higher education administration, or a directly related field from an accredited institution is required.A Ph.D. or master’s degree in a related field is strongly preferred. A Ph.D. in a computing-related or STEM field is especially valued.A college/university background is preferred (equivalent work experience with appropriate degree will be considered).Experience and Skills:
Experience with Vanderbilt systems such as Oracle, VERA, and iLab is preferred.Five (5) plus years of professional, progressively responsible leadership experience in research administration is required.Five (5) plus years of grants and contracts-related experience is required.Familiarity with the practice of research in an academic setting, including how funding is secured to support such research.Experience with a broad range of grants, sponsors, and award types is necessary.Research experience in an academic or industry setting is strongly preferred.Strong project management experience with the capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously.Proven experience in strategizing, thinking operationally, organizing, and implementing research-based programs.Must be able to work effectively in a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment with multiple constituencies.Outstanding oral and written communication skills with close attention to detail.Must be able to prioritize, multitask, and meet deadlines.Strong budget management skills.Proven track record in working successfully in a diverse range of ethnic, cultural, and economic communities.Take initiative regarding project management and identifying opportunities for future growth.Strong data management and analytical skills.Advanced proficiency in MS-Office programs (especially Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) is essential.Excellent computer organizational and record-keeping skills.