Assistant Vice President for Research

University of New Mexico•Albuquerque, NM

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) invites applications for the position of Assistant Vice President for Research Infrastructure, reporting directly to the Vice President for Research (VPR). This role will be an associate or full research professor, determined by the individual's research background. The Assistant Vice President for Research serves as a senior advisor to the VPR regarding the strategic development and stewardship of UNM’s research enterprise, including participating in strategic planning and management of OVPR Category 3 center and institute assets. The portfolio includes responsibility for several key areas within the OVPR. This is a 12-month position, subject to review and renewal on an annual basis. The final FTE of the Assistant VPR role will be negotiated to accommodate candidates who choose to maintain an active research portfolio.

Requirements

Earned doctorate in a research-intensive field from an accredited institution.
Minimum of 10 years of combined active research experience as principal investigator and/or in leadership or oversight roles supporting research operations at a large public or private academic/research institution.

Nice To Haves

Significant experience leading one or more aspects of research administration at a university or research institution
Experience in establishing, running, and/or overseeing research facilities and core facilities
Broad experience working across multiple sectors and/or disciplines to develop successful research-focused partnerships
A record of successful collaboration with national laboratories, consortia, and/or industry partners in a research environment
Commitment to effectively cultivating discovery, innovation and entrepreneurship among faculty, staff, and students
Excellent and proven administrative and managerial skills, including leadership and team building, and strong interpersonal skills, including successful conflict resolution
Established track record procuring external funding as appropriate to candidate’s field
Excellent written communication, oral communication, and presentation skills across disciplines, sectors, and communities
A demonstrated commitment to cultivate an understanding of the rich and varied cultures of New Mexico and to the success of the university's mission to serve local and global communities

Responsibilities

Provide executive oversight for university research infrastructure, including shared instrumentation, core facilities, laboratories, and specialized research centers, developing strategic plans for their growth, modernization, and sustainability.
Promote shared-resource models to maximize utilization, foster interdisciplinary research, and enhance competitiveness for external funding by establishing policies, governance structures, and operational standards.
Collaborate with facility directors, faculty, and university leadership to prioritize investments in research equipment, technology, and infrastructure.
Oversee the financial management and business operations of core facilities, including budgeting, cost recovery models, and long-term sustainability planning.
Represent research infrastructure priorities in institutional planning efforts and advocate for investments that advance the university's research mission.
Serve as the university's primary research facilities liaison to Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), and other federal research laboratories to strengthen research-based strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives.
Promote coordination of research facilities at national laboratories, including user facilities, and UNM research facilities to maximize research and training effectiveness and reduce duplication of regional resources.
Promote and coordinate utilization of UNM research facilities by private partners, including regional industry and start-ups, to maximize utilization of facilities and their sustainability.
Work with the OVPR’s Office of Research, Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (ORTIP) to identify and advance opportunities to enhance the university’s role in addressing national and regional priorities through external partnerships.
Monitor federal research and laboratory initiatives to identify emerging opportunities that align with institutional strengths and strategic priorities and coordinate institutional participation.
Work with university and laboratory leadership to foster relationships that advance the university's research, education, and workforce development missions.
Provide strategic leadership, oversight, and assessment for faculty, staff, and student success initiatives and recognition programs that support research excellence.
Collaborate with the Faculty Research Development Office (FRDO), UNM ADVANCE, and Academic Affairs to develop and implement research-focused programs that enhance faculty research development, mentoring, scholarly productivity, external funding competitiveness, and engagement with UNM’s research infrastructure and partnerships.
Lead initiatives that promote and expand undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral participation in research, experiential learning, and career development opportunities.
Partner with academic leaders, faculty, and administrative units to align faculty and student success programs with institutional strategic priorities and serve as a resource regarding national laboratory partnerships for UNM researchers.
Collaborate with the Faculty Research Development Office (FRDO) to identify and pursue external funding opportunities to sustain and expand faculty development, graduate student, and postdoctoral success programs.
Serve as an OVPR executive team member and senior advisor to the Vice President for Research on faculty success, student research engagement, national laboratory partnerships, and research infrastructure strategy.
Work with the VPR and the AVP for External Relations to build and maintain partnerships with academic units, government agencies, industry partners, and community stakeholders to advance research and workforce development goals.
Lead cross-functional teams and committees focused on enhancing the university's research ecosystem/infrastructure and institutional impact.
Champion a culture of innovation, collaboration, inclusion, and operational excellence across faculty development, student success, and research support programs.