Vice Chancellor for Research

Vice Chancellor for Research

University of California, Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California

The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) seeks a strategic, thoughtful and collaborative administrator and accomplished scholar to serve as its next Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR). Reporting to the Chancellor, and working in close collaboration with faculty and staff, the VCR will build on the many strengths of UCSB – including its ever-growing research portfolio, interdisciplinary and collaborative culture, distinguished faculty, and exceptional student diversity – for ongoing development of an interdisciplinary research program that will continue to enhance UCSB and its national and international prominence.

Located on the edge of the Pacific Ocean and at the base of the Santa Ynez Mountains, UCSB is a member of the 10-campus University of California (UC) system and the first university in the Association of American Universities recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. Founded in 1944, UCSB enrolls about 23,000 students. In FY 2016, research expenditures totaled $184 million, and the Campaign for UC Santa Barbara has surpassed its billion-dollar goal to ensure the excellence of the campus and its programs for future generations. UCSB's faculty includes six Nobel Laureates; numerous Guggenheim, Fulbright, National Endowment for the Humanities, and National Endowment for the Arts Fellows; National Science Foundation grantees; winners of the National Medal of Science, Fields Medal, and Millennium Technology Prize; and numerous elected members or fellows of leading professional associations. The preeminent scholarship, instruction, and public service that define the institution have led UCSB to be nationally recognized as a top university, ranked 8th among public schools and 37th among all national universities in the 2017 U.S. News & World Report rankings.

It is an exciting time in the institution's history; UCSB is positioned well to cultivate new and existing talent to develop innovative research and partnerships. Faculty are exceptional, and UCSB has made bold strides over recent years to significantly strengthen its research enterprise, launch innovative scholarly activities, and further grow cross-disciplinary initiatives. Furthermore, the spirit of collaboration innate to UCSB has created an environment ripe for innovation and continued growth for the next VCR. It has also been a remarkable year of recruitment for the university with 65 faculty new appointments and 45 the year prior, presenting a unique opportunity for UCSB to think strategically about new research pathways and collaborations. A Long Range Development Plan, combined with the need to replace retiring faculty, will lead to hundreds of faculty hires over the next 5-10 years. The opening of a biomedical building in the summer of 2017 will assist in these efforts and enhance the university's ability to conduct solutions-based, high impact research. Faculty excellence is at the heart of the UCSB's mission, and the university is committed to expanding the research enterprise to support their growth as well as foster student learning. Previous VCRs at UCSB have included Michael Witherell, who went on to be the Director of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and France Cordova, who oversees the National Science Foundation after serving as President at Purdue University.

The VCR will be an accomplished scholar, committed to the highest standards of research excellence, and will provide vision and leadership for the evolving strategic development, implementation and communication of research, building on current research strengths while identifying new and innovative research opportunities. S/he will have proven capacity to help lead the University in enhancing its research culture and performance in a way that stimulates wide-reaching interdisciplinary scholarship and collaboration, garners diverse funding, provides opportunities for students and advances the mission of and reputation of university nationally and internationally. As such, the next VCR will address the following opportunities and challenges:

• Grow the research portfolio in partnership with deans, faculty, and academic leadership

• Expand partnerships with major public and private funding agencies

• Strengthen the infrastructure to keep pace with growth

• Serve as a compelling external ambassador to build on UCSB's reputation and visibility as an international research university

UC Santa Barbara has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this search. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Apply online at https://jobs.ucsb.edu, Job # 20160618, and submit a detailed letter of application, CV, and list of 8 references to Isaacson, Miller at www.imsearch.com/5974. Electronic submission of applications and correspondence is strongly preferred. Inquiries and nominations can be submitted at the same website.

Regan Gough, Lindsay Gold and Alanya Green

Isaacson, Miller

1000 Sansome Street, Suite 300

San Francisco, CA 94111

Phone: 415.655.4900

Fax: 415.655.4905

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.