Posting Number req26203
Department Science Administration
Department Website Link College of Science
Location Tucson Campus
Address Tucson, AZ USA
Position Highlights

The University of Arizona’s College of Science invites you to apply for the position of Associate Dean of Research. As Associate Dean, you will also hold a tenured professor role within our college.

The University of Arizona College of Science (COS) brings together globally prominent faculty in disciplines at the core of scientific inquiry and education. One of the largest colleges at the University of Arizona, the college is a nexus of award-winning programs that encompass the range of physical, mathematical, computer, environmental, cognitive, and life sciences.

The Associate Dean of Research will report to the Dean and work closely with the Dean, college and university leadership, departments, and other college units to strengthen and grow the COS research enterprise through strategic vision and action, support of faculty, staff, and student research efforts, facilitation of collaborative and interdisciplinary research, and fostering connections with cross-campus and external research partners. The Associate Dean will also be responsible for devising and reporting on metrics to demonstrate the success of the COS research enterprise.

As both an academic leader and tenured faculty member, the successful candidate will serve in a dual role capacity, dedicating 50% of their effort to their Associate Dean responsibilities, and 50% to their tenured Professor responsibilities. The successful candidate will fulfill the responsibilities of their faculty role in an appropriate department, actively participate in teaching, research and/or scholarly work.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; sick leave and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs.

Duties & Responsibilities

Associate Dean, Research:
Support faculty, staff, and students across the College of Science (COS) in research-related endeavors, including matters related to identifying new funding opportunities, grant and contract issues, industry relations, facilities, awards and nominations, and university policies affecting research.
Assist the Dean in leading the planning and development of research programs, strategic planning, long and short-range goals and objectives, budget, and operations related to the college’s research portfolio.
Provide creative leadership and strategic vision to support and expand the research enterprise, capitalizing on strengths, external research trends (particularly in federal support), and developing new areas of science and innovation.
Continue implementation of the COS research strategic plan by supporting the science interest groups and their efforts towards furthering the research enterprise.
Promote and facilitate interdisciplinary research collaborations within the college, with other university units, other universities/colleges, clinical partners, community leaders, industry, and other national and international stakeholders.
Develop and review research and economic development strategies and activities within departments to ensure alignment with college and university goals for adaptation in an evolving research landscape.
Work closely with the UA Office of Research & Partnerships (ORP) to align college research policies and practices with those of the university and other colleges.
Work closely with the university’s Research Development Services to identify and support PI efforts to pursue ambitious new, complex, or ambitious proposal development and promote a pipeline of research opportunities and awareness.
Work closely with COS Development and the UA Foundation to identify and support nominations, awards, and philanthropic efforts for COS researchers.
Develop and maintain an up-to-date database of COS facilities that enables strategic allocation of laboratory, clinical, computational, and other types of research functions.
Act as liaison with Senior Director in University Information Technology Services in charge of IT initiatives for colleges.
Encourage and facilitate relationships between researchers and Tech Launch Arizona to recognize and promote the value of team science and embrace an entrepreneurial mindset. Foster an environment for inquiry, innovation, imagination, and collegiality.
Manage and respond to college-level compliance and research administration issues, including Facilities and Administrative (F&A) waiver requests and research compliance issues, and (together with the AD for Faculty Affairs) manage, review, and approve Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment issues.
Develop and implement an assessment strategy, with reportable metrics, that targets process improvement, training, and resource allocation and improves the effectiveness and efficiency of the research operation. Provide regular reports to college leadership about the success of the research enterprise.
Work with college leadership and the development office to promote and develop external research funding for supporting faculty research through startup funds, matching, undergraduate and graduate research support, endowed chairs, and other similar programs that support the college’s research.
Work with Department Heads to create substantive mentorship opportunities for faculty to promote success in all aspects of the research process.

Professor (Tenured):
Faculty members are expected to maintain an active research program, to participate in both undergraduate and graduate education, to carry out advising duties, committee assignments and contribute to mentoring students.
Incumbent will be released from teaching assignments for the time that they serve as Associate Dean, but would be expected to resume teaching responsibilities at the standard level of the department of tenure home if/when they are no longer serving in the administrative position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to foster a collaborative and welcoming environment, working with various faculty and staff, and incorporating various perspectives in research.
Strong oral and written communication and advocacy skills, effective with both internal and external constituents.
Strong organizational and project management skills.
Ability to work in a team-based environment to achieve common and overlapping goals.
Ability to participate and lead collaborative, interdisciplinary groups and foster a culture that supports innovative research programs spanning knowledge creation, translation, dissemination, and impact.
Ability to successfully set priorities, analyze data, and to think systematically from both a detailed and a strategic perspective.

Minimum Qualifications
Ph.D. in a field aligned with the disciplines represented within the College of Science.
A record of distinguished scholarly research, teaching, and professional accomplishments that merits appointment as a full professor with tenure.
Active program of research, scholarship, and/or creative inquiry.
Successful administrative experience within a university, including the management of budgets, facilities, assessment, and strategic planning.

Preferred Qualifications
Experience and strong interest in team building.
Experience incorporating a variety of perspectives by establishing a collaborative environment.
Experience in supervising the research of undergraduate and graduate students.
Experience working in a setting with changing priorities and an evolving list of stakeholders.
Experience evaluating research proposals and serving on peer review panels.

Rank Professor
Tenure Information Tenured (T)
FLSA Exempt
Full Time/Part Time Full Time
Number of Hours Worked per Week 40
Job FTE 1.0
Work Calendar Academic
Job Category Academic Administration
Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits
Rate of Pay DOE
Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)
Type of criminal background check required: Fingerprint criminal background check (security sensitive due to title or department)
Number of Vacancies 1
Target Hire Date The preferred start date is Spring 2027. A start date as late as Fall 2027 may be accommodated, depending on candidate circumstances and institutional needs.

Contact Information for Candidates For more information, please contact:
Kelly Grimm
Assistant Dean, Finance & Administration
grimmk@arizona.edu
Open Date 6/5/2026
Open Until Filled Yes
Documents Needed to Apply Curriculum Vitae (CV), Cover Letter, and One Additional Document
Special Instructions to Applicant With your application, please submit the following documents:
Curriculum Vitae
Cover Letter
One-page summary of your administrative style, experience, and philosophy.

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