Assistant Vice President for Research Core Facilities, Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship, and Creative Endeavors

University of Texas at Austin•Austin, TX

60d

About The Position

The mission of the Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors (OVPR) is to foster the expansion of the scale, quality, and impact of scholarly endeavors at UT Austin. We are committed to building capacity, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and lowering the barriers and burden involved in scientific and creative inquiry through the development of an investigator-focused infrastructure that supports the needs of UT Austin's research enterprise. UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes: 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage Retirement contributions Paid vacation and sick time Paid holidays Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered. Purpose The Assistant Vice President for Research Core Facilities provides vision, direction, and strategic oversight of the major research core facilities within The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) and coordination of other research core facilities.

Requirements

Master's degree in a STEM field and eight years of relevant experience.
Must have broad-based scientific and technology background and experience developing and managing budgets with a variety of funding sources.
Experience leading, managing, motivating, and developing technical staff.
Knowledge of emerging technologies, trends, methodologies, and resource management principles.
Strong professional background in financial affairs with a high-level understanding of best practices and policies.
Experience developing strategic plans, establishing priorities and goals to ensure the success of the unit's mission.
Strong analytical, problem solving, and decision-making abilities.
Excellent skills in planning and proactive management.
Strong organizational skills.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from all levels of the university and foster and maintain a positive, team-oriented environment.

Nice To Haves

PhD in a STEM field.
Hands-on technical and management experience in shared facilities is strongly desired.
Previous experience working at an institution of higher education.
Experience working with high-level administrative and business leaders in higher education.
Demonstrated maturity, creativity, and change-management skills coupled with a commitment to personal and professional growth through ongoing educational activities, as well as a demonstrated commitment to mentorship of staff.

Responsibilities

In concert with the Vice President for Research, develop and maintain a strategy for improvement and sustainability of the research core ecosystem. Work with associate deans for research (ADRs) and other stakeholders to ensure resources to execute this plan. Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in the UT administration and core user community.
Lead and manage the major research core facilities reporting to the OVPR. Hire and supervise staff facility directors, working with each director to develop a strategic plan for their respective core that includes: sustainable business models for existing services, improving the facility user experience, increasing available resources through cross-core collaboration, and increasing revenue through external gift and grant funding.
Coordinate with the OVPR AVP of Finance and Chief Business Officer on financial reporting and development of appropriate administrative, financial and human resource practices for the cores. Develop, manage and oversee future core recapitalization funding. Develop and manage the institutional major research core subsidy request and administration process. Oversee the rate reviews process for all cores. Lead relations between the research core facilities, OVPR and Office of Accounting.
Advise the Vice President for Research in appointing faculty research advisory leads for each research core facility. Develop and coordinate a core facility strategy committee, with representation from all research core advisory leads and college leadership. Work with each core facility director, research advisory lead and the strategy committee to promote input and collaboration with University stakeholders to improve the services provided by each major research core facility.
Establish and oversee financial, technical performance, and usage goals for all major research core facilities. Manage annual reporting summarizing the current progress and future goals of the research core facilities. Provide annual budgetary review to OVPR leadership detailing service center income, university and CSU subsidies, gifts and sponsored awards, capital equipment depreciation and personnel needs.
Set standards, develop teaching aids, and provide professional development opportunities to core tool managers.
Organize and lead communications efforts for the research core ecosystem. Lead development and maintenance of a joint core facility website detailing available equipment, services and tools. Develop and maintain a library of resource materials regarding major research core facility tool capabilities and other documentation useful for user grant proposal development and faculty recruitment.
Collaborate with the Office of Research Support and Compliance (ORSC) and its oversight committees and with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) to ensure safe and compliant research environments. Develop data management strategies for research core facilities to comply with guidelines for federally funded research.
In conjunction with the research advisory leads, collaborate with deans, chairs and directors during the recruitment of new faculty members to provide access to core equipment and services as part of start-up packages. Support new faculty in their strategic utilization of core facilities, encouraging the use of shared infrastructure rather than reproducing capabilities in their individual labs. Align research core facility capacity with research needs.