Kansas State University

President Myers invites applications for interim vice president for research

Submitted by Lindsey Fouquette

President Richard Myers invites applications for the position of interim vice president for research.

The interim vice president for research, or VPR, serves as the university's chief research officer, providing leadership and expertise in fostering a campus environment that promotes collaborative, interdisciplinary efforts and produces high-quality research. The position reports directly to the president of the university. The VPR is responsible for encouraging and facilitating the integration and enhancement of research activities across the university's colleges and multiple research centers and will lead universitywide strategic research growth activities.

In addition, the VPR provides leadership for the acquisition of research funding, the planning and development of academic research space, oversight of compliance with state and federal research policies — serving as the institutional official — identification and management of core research facilities, budget planning with the university leadership, public outreach, and intellectual property management including patenting, commercialization, incubation of new companies, and recruiting of corporate research partners as the president of K-State Innovation Partners. The VPR represents the university's interests in economic engagement and promoting knowledge-based economic development as a leader in the region and representative to the Kansas Board of Regents on committees and task areas promoting research and economic development, including the current KBOR Strategic Plan Pillar: Economic Prosperity.

The successful candidate is someone who understands how to or has experience with providing leadership in a competitive, higher education research enterprise. This person needs to be a facilitator, communicator and coordinator who can advocate for research, and who can work cooperatively with the K-State executive leadership, deans, faculty, staff and students to foster a campus environment that promotes collaborative and inclusive interdisciplinary efforts and produces high-quality research.

The interim VPR must have demonstrated significant achievement in research, scholarly activities and administration. Specifically, the successful candidate must have:

• An earned doctorate from an accredited institution.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• A distinguished record of research and scholarly accomplishments.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to build coalitions and collaborative working relationships.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with intellectual property management, technology transfer issues, corporate partnerships, and economic development.
• A passion for promoting a safe and inclusive research environment and the ability to foster diversity and advocate for a collegial and constructive environment based on open communication, positive team building, and effective management.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with research compliance policies and regulations.
• The ability to obtain a security clearance that must be maintained while employed at Kansas State University.

Applications process
This position is only open to current K-State employees. To apply or learn more about this role visit the K-State Careers page and click on the "Internal" button then click on the "Interim Vice President for Research" link. All applications must be submitted online via the applicant tracking system for review; please do not email applications. In your application materials, please include the following:

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position.
2. Curriculum vitae.
3. Names and contact information for three professional references.

Learn more about this role. The search committee will accept applications until Nov. 23.