Associate Vice President for Research Development

Associate Vice President for Research Development

The Division of Research and Economic Development at Jackson State University is accepting applications for the Associate Vice President for Research Development position. The Associate Vice President (AVP) for Research Development is a senior leader within the Division of Research and Economic Development, responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive strategy to enhance the institution's research enterprise. This role focuses on growing the university's capacity to secure external funding, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, supporting the development of major research centers, and establishing strong partnerships with federal agencies, foundations, and industry stakeholders. The AVP plays a critical role in enabling faculty success, building sustainable research infrastructure, and advancing the university's mission of research excellence, innovation, and economic empowerment.

Examples of Duties

Strategic Research Development and Institutional Capacity Building

• Lead the strategic direction and implementation of research development initiatives across the university.
• Identify, assess, and disseminate funding opportunities aligned with institutional strengths and emerging research priorities.
• Facilitate the development of competitive, large-scale, multi-investigator proposals (e.g., UARCs, Centers of Excellence, NIH/NSF Centers).
• Advance interdisciplinary research by fostering collaborations across colleges, departments, and external entities.
• Oversee programs that enhance faculty research engagement, mentoring, and readiness for largescale grants and contracts.

Proposal Development and Funding Strategy

• Direct the design and execution of institutional strategies for securing external research funding.
• Provide executive-level oversight for proposal planning and team formation for complex, high-priority submissions.
• Guide faculty in aligning proposals with sponsor priorities and institutional goals.
• Organize faculty development workshops, proposal writing bootcamps, and early career investigator support.

Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with federal agencies, philanthropic organizations, industry, and community partners.
• Lead efforts to bring program officers and decision-makers to campus for engagement with researchers.
• Promote the university's research strengths at external conferences, federal briefings, and strategic convenings.

Metrics, Operations, and Continuous Improvement

• Develop and track research development metrics to evaluate effectiveness and drive data-informed decisions.
• Collaborate with academic deans, Institutional Advancement and Academic Affairs to align research development activities.
• Manage staff and resources dedicated to research development and proposal support.
• Monitor trends in federal funding and research policy to inform institutional strategy.

Research Excellence and Visibility

• Contribute to initiatives that position the university as a leader in research innovation and economic development.
• Promote the visibility of faculty research and institutional accomplishments through strategic communications.
• Support the development and recognition of major research centers and university-wide initiatives.

Typical Qualifications

• Master's degree in a research-related field such as STEM, biomedical sciences, social sciences, or public health (Ph.D. or terminal degree strongly preferred).
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in research development, research strategy, or research administration in a higher education or research-intensive environment.
• Proven track record of leading successful large-scale, multi-institutional grant proposal efforts.
• Demonstrated experience building interdisciplinary teams and forming external partnerships.
• Deep understanding of federal funding mechanisms (e.g., NIH, NSF, DoD, DOE) and sponsor requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong record of leadership in faculty development, especially for early-career researchers.

Skills and Competencies

• Strategic thinker and collaborative leader.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
• Commitment to research capacity-building.