Job Announcement: Vice Chancellor for Research

Vice Chancellor for Research
 

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) invites inquiries, nominations and applications for the position of Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR). The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research is divided into four subdivisions: Office of Research Administration (ORA), Research Policy and Compliance (RPC), UCLA Technology Development Group (TDG) and the Research Enhancement Office (REO). ORA provides professional guidance and administrative support for all sponsored campus activities, including but not limited to contract and grant administration and financial management, human and animal research oversight, and faculty safety committees. RPC provides leadership in implementing UC, UCLA, and governmental research policies and procedures, supporting the VCR in his/her role as campus Research Integrity Officer.  RPC’s key areas of focus include Conflict of Interest disclosure and management, responding to allegations of Research Misconduct, and oversight and adherence to Export Control regulations. TDG supports UCLA’s research, education and service mission through forming new collaborations with industry, commercializing research discoveries and fostering entrepreneurship. The TDG is overseen by the VCR in partnership with the UCLA Technology Development Corporation (TDC); the TDC is a nonprofit company founded in 2014 that is wholly controlled by UCLA and focused on protecting and optimizing discoveries and inventions developed through UCLA research; its CEO reports both to the VCR and the TDC board of directors. The REO is responsible for strategic research initiatives, including the dissemination of research funding opportunities to the campus, conducting workshops to assist faculty in proposal preparation strategies and overseeing limited submission opportunity selection processes. Among the major strategic research initiatives underway are the UCLA Grand Challenges, highly ambitious broad-based projects focused on solving critical problems facing society. UCLA has launched two grand challenges: one focused on Sustainable LA and one focused on Depression.

Reporting to the executive vice chancellor & provost, the vice chancellor for research is the senior academic official responsible for the advancement of UCLA’s research mission and administration of the research enterprise. He/she is expected to bring broad vision and executive leadership to campuswide research policy, planning, initiatives, coordination and compliance. In pursuing these responsibilities, he/she collaborates with academic leaders across campus and the University of California system, building on campus strengths, creating synergy and supporting collaboration for the greater benefit of the campus research enterprise, UCLA and the University of California. He/she advises the chancellor and executive vice chancellor on all issues relating to research at UCLA, serving on the chancellor’s executive committee. He/she also exercises leadership at the local, state, national and international levels – representing the university to external agencies, serving as a legislative liaison and promoting international and cooperative research arrangements with governments, universities and other organizations. 

The successful candidate will be an accomplished scholar with demonstrated leadership and commitment to research, teaching and public service. Minimum requirements include: substantial administrative leadership experience in a research university; a distinguished personal record of funded research; demonstrated success in the development of collaborative and interdisciplinary research ventures; knowledge of state and federal regulations and compliance requirements on animal, human and laboratory safety, conflicts of interest, technology transfer and research integrity; demonstrated understanding of federal and foundation funding opportunities and requirements; sensitivity to the research needs of all disciplines represented at major research universities; credentials that merit appointment at the rank of full professor; and an established record of advancing diversity. Experience in, and/or significant knowledge of, the University of California is preferred.

Situated on 419 acres, five miles from the Pacific Ocean, UCLA is enriched by the cultural diversity of the dynamic greater Los Angeles area, as well as the geographic advantages of Southern California. One of the world’s preeminent public research universities, UCLA is an international leader in breadth and quality of academic, research, health care, wellness, cultural, continuing education and athletic programs, with more than 4,000 faculty members who teach approximately 40,000 students in the College of Letters and Science and 12 professional schools. UCLA is consistently ranked among the top institutions nationally for research funding, having generated over $1 billion in research grants and contracts annually in five of the past seven years.

Confidential review of applications, nominations and expressions of interest will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. To be ensured full consideration, please email a letter of interest and curriculum vitae to VCResearchSearch@conet.ucla.edu by Friday, January 20, 2017. Address inquiries to Traci Considine, manager of executive recruitment in the Office of the Chancellor (310-206-8003).

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct