Chief of Staff - Office of the Vice President for Research

Carnegie Mellon University • Pittsburgh, PA

30d • Onsite

About The Position

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) seeks an experienced, strategic, and highly effective Chief of Staff to serve as the principal aide and analyst to the Vice President for Research (VPR) and a senior member of the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) leadership team. This executive leader will be essential to advancing the university’s research and technology transition strategy, enabling alignment across internal and external constituencies, and driving the successful execution of high-impact institutional priorities. About Carnegie Mellon University: CMU is a top-ranked private research-intensive university based in Pittsburgh, PA, with a vision of fostering a transformative impact on society through continual innovation in education, research, creativity, and entrepreneurship. The university is internationally recognized for its computer science, artificial intelligence, engineering, business, science, humanities, and fine arts programs, with a strong emphasis on innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. With more than a dozen degree-granting locations and a growing number of partnerships around the world, CMU is truly a global university. CMU provides undergraduate students with a distinctive interdisciplinary approach and an emphasis on research and entrepreneurial experiences. Its world-renowned faculty also deliver a full complement of graduate and postgraduate programs and conduct research that pushes the frontiers of technology, science, and the arts. Its footprint fosters cooperation across borders, including from its campuses in Silicon Valley, CA; Education City, Doha, Qatar; and Kigali, Rwanda, East Africa. CMU’s confluence of scholarly excellence, robust federal and industry partnerships, and heritage of innovation consistently place it among the most dynamic and impactful research institutions in the world. The university is ranked #20 in National Universities and the #4 Most Innovative Schools by U.S. News & World Report in 2026 and is considered a top 25 university globally by Times Higher Education in 2025. It has #1 ranked programs in Computer Science and Business – including AI, software engineering, cybersecurity, programming languages, mobile applications, business analytics, and management information systems – with 14 additional top 10 programs across Engineering, Computer Science, and Business. CMU views its 125-year legacy as a beginning: with innovation and entrepreneurship in the university’s DNA, it thrives on agility to seize pivotal moments and embrace the future in its persistent pursuit of excellence. For additional information about CMU, please visit https://www.cmu.edu/. Research and Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University: Carnegie Mellon University is known as an epicenter of innovative and societally transformative research and technologies — from the birthplace of AI through the pioneering work of Simon and Newell in the 1950’s, to the home of autonomous and self-driving vehicles in the 1980’s, to the first wireless campus in the 1990’s, all the way to AI-powered cognitive tutors and AI-enabled robotic scientific labs today. The entrepreneurial mindset and approach of its faculty, staff, and leadership have enabled CMU researchers to drive innovation at the frontiers of science, technology, and society. Its interdisciplinary research enterprise spans AI, robotics, computer science, engineering, life sciences, social systems, and the arts — tackling challenges that support a safer, more secure and resilient future. Last year, CMU’s research expenditure exceeded $720 million, which included support from industry partners across all major sectors, federal agencies such as the NSF, DOW, DOE, NIH, and ARPA-H, as well as non-profit foundations and international organizations. CMU’s reach and impact are extended through its large applied and translational research units that include the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC), the Software Engineering Institute (SEI), a national federally funded research and development center, and the Advanced Robotics Manufacturing (ARM) Institute, a national manufacturing innovation institute. CMU’s collaborative culture accelerates progress, enabling researchers and students to move seamlessly from idea to implementation. The result is a university whose innovations don’t just advance knowledge — they redefine industries, inform national policy, and improve lives worldwide. The university has a rich history of successful startup founders and investors who are CMU alumni, faculty, and students. This includes 67 CMU-affiliated unicorns like Duolingo, Skild AI, Nest, Cognizant, and Aurora, and startups with CMU IP or equity that have exited with more than $38 billion in cumulative value. Read more about CMU research on the Work That Matters site. About the Vice President for Research: As the chief research officer, Mayer reports directly to CMU’s president and leads the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR), which supports university-wide research, creative expression, and translation efforts that drive the CMU’s mission to bring the benefits of this work to all of society. The OVPR actively engages CMU’s colleges, schools, centers and institutes as well as external stakeholders and partners to define and implement CMU’s research, innovation and entrepreneurship strategic goals. The following major functions reside within the OVPR: research support services (including sponsored programs, research regulatory affairs, security, and systems); government relations; federal and industry partnerships (with University Advancement); technology transfer and entrepreneurship; research computing and data (with University Information Technology); campus research infrastructure; the Software Engineering Institute. Mayer is a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at CMU’s College of Engineering. Prior to CMU, Mayer held executive positions at Purdue University and Virginia Tech, where she played leading roles in enhancing cutting-edge research, building strategic partnerships, and stimulating economic development. An internationally recognized researcher in nanotechnology, has co-authored more than 350 technical publications, holds numerous patents, and is a Fellow of the IEEE. Read more on the Office for the Vice President for Research site. Position Overview: The Chief of Staff ensures that CMU’s research and innovation strategy and priorities are clearly defined, aligned with institutional goals, and translated into effective execution. As the principal aide and trusted advisor to the VPR, the Chief of Staff provides strategic counsel, drives coordination across the research enterprise, and supports governance, decision-making, and special initiatives of institutional importance. This position reports directly to the VPR.

Requirements

• Ability to operate effectively at executive levels, manage ambiguity, and lead institution-wide initiatives.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven success advising senior leadership and aligning diverse stakeholders around shared goals.
• High analytical skills and ability to make decisions with attention to accuracy, detail and local context
• Understanding today’s complex research and translation environment.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and perform multiple tasks simultaneously and meet time-sensitive deadlines.
• Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Ph.D. or other terminal degree strongly preferred.
• 10–15+ years of senior-level experience in research, higher education leadership, policy, or other complex, mission-driven organizations.
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired may be considered.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
• Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for CMU in the United States. CMU will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Carnegie Mellon is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Carnegie Mellon.

Responsibilities

• Provide counsel and support to the VPR and senior leaders on matters of strategic and tactical importance; surface and communicate emerging issues.
• Deliver high-level analysis of a wide variety of research-related opportunities and challenges, with recommendations for action or resolution.
• Facilitate effective and efficient decision-making by gathering data, convening appropriate stakeholders, and framing clear options and recommendations.
• Support the VPR in managing relationships with internal and external constituencies and balancing commitments for maximum strategic impact.
• Lead project management for time-sensitive projects and initiatives deemed critical by the VPR, including coordinating activities, managing timelines, and reporting on progress. Ensure teams are aligned and working in concert to achieve shared institutional objectives.
• Research, coordinate, and prepare reports, briefings, presentations, and responses on institutional and strategic issues.
• Engage with constituents across the university and externally to ensure initiatives and actions are aligned with the institutional strategic plan.
• Provide primary support to the VPR for the Board of Trustees, Faculty Senate, and other advisory boards and committees.
• Represent the VPR with internal and external constituencies, including attending meetings, committees, events, or boards and presenting information as appropriate.
• Assess inquiries directed to the VPR, determine appropriate courses of action, and delegate responses accordingly.
• Develop and review materials for the VPR’s signature, including verifying facts and policy compliance, evaluating issues, presenting alternatives, and preparing responses.
• Oversee OVPR management, foster a culture of high performance, service excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Carry out projects that are highly sensitive and confidential in nature.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including select administrative or coordination tasks as needed.

Benefits

• Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits. Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance. Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!
• For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree