ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT

OPPORTUNITY

The Clemson University Division of Research seeks a visionary leader to advance University research by creating opportunities for and supporting discovery and innovation by University researchers through numerous development activities.

KEY PRIORITIES

The Associate Vice President for Research Development (AVPRD) works closely with and reports to the Vice President for Research (VPR) and leads the activities, operation and staff of the Office of Research Development (ORD). This executive position will aggressively pursue research opportunities from federal and state agencies, industry, and foundations and will work to develop and nurture large, interdisciplinary research projects. Other key responsibilities include:

  • Fostering multi-disciplinary proposals corresponding to the University's strategic research initiatives and college research priorities, including support for large-scale proposals through strategy development, reviews, technical writing and budget creation;
  • Generating new streams of research support from federal, state, foundation and industrial sources. He/she works with researchers and staff to improve proposals and packages to seek/secure funding;
  • Identifying research opportunities to advance discoveries for commercialization, creating intellectual, economic and societal impacts, by working with University researchers and the Clemson University Research Foundation (CURF);
  • Facilitating interdisciplinary research with high potential for future external support by strengthening the Clemson University portfolio of internal funding initiatives. He/she also analyzes performance of seed funding efforts;
  • Advancing University-wide efforts to implement strategies for faculty research training and leadership development. He/she supports new training programs that help faculty who are early in their research careers to develop and/or improve their skills in writing and winning proposals. He/she also analyzes faculty grant performance and considers mechanisms to assist mid-career faculty to maintain or revive research funding levels;
  • Partnering with the Associate Deans for Research from all colleges to identify issues, solve problems and establish new programs in research development;
  • Representing the VPR and Research Division at meetings and functions as needed, especially those related to new research proposal development opportunities and research collaborations across the University.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS

A competitive applicant for the AVPRD role will possess:

  • a Ph.D.;
  • demonstrable success at securing external funding;
  • proven ability to form high-performing research teams and provide leadership and support in developing large research proposal activities;
  • ability to cultivate relationships;
  • history of mentoring and developing researchers in and beyond their own disciplines;
  • familiarity with different federal and other funding agencies and funding opportunities;
  • ability to quickly develop knowledge and appreciation for the breadth of University research, academic excellence, creative works and innovation strengths;
  • ability to think strategically and independently with keen attention to detail;
  • successful track record in research, supervising staff and project management; and
  • outstanding oral and written communication skills.

The ideal candidate may possess varied experience in and/or understanding of:

  • funding agencies that support university research, as well as industrial, non-governmental organizations and foundation partners;
  • extramural funding of research programs; and
  • university technology commercialization processes and intellectual property.

Qualified candidates may also be considered for a faculty appointment in an appropriate department and college at Clemson University commensurate with qualifications and experience.

TO APPLY OR NOMINATE

The Search Committee invites letters of nomination, applications (with a letter of interest, a complete CV, and a list of at least five references), to be submitted to the search firm assisting Clemson University. Review of materials will begin immediately, and continue until an appointment is made. Please submit nominations and applications by August 15, 2019. Applications received after this date may be considered at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Porsha L. Williams, Vice President

Jacob C. Anderson, Principal

Parker Executive Search

Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2900

Atlanta GA, 30328

(770) 804-1996 x 111

pwilliams@parkersearch.com || janderson@parkersearch.com

Clemson University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

ABOUT CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

Clemson University is a selective, public, R1-rated research university in a college-town setting. Established in 1899 through the will of the founder, Thomas Green Clemson, the land- grant university is located in Upstate South Carolina in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains and along Hartwell Lake, near parks, forests and the South Carolina Botanical Garden. Clemson is a short 40-minute drive from Greenville and two hours from both Atlanta and Charlotte. The University provides bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 100 majors through seven academic colleges: the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences; the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities; the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences; the College of Business; the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences; the College of Education; and the College of Science. Also, the University has extension offices in every county of the state and teaching and research sites in seven South Carolina cities (Blackville, Charleston, Columbia, Florence, Greenville, Georgetown and Greenwood) and four international sites. Clemson has 1,524 faculty members and 3,373 staff members working with Clemson’s enrollment of 18,599 undergraduate and 4,507 graduate students.

ABOUT THE CITY OF CLEMSON

Clemson is a city of approximately 14,000 year-round residents; the population swells to 100,000 on home football games in the fall. Clemson is in Pickens County, South Carolina. The Clemson area, located in the northwest corner of the state in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, includes Hartwell Lake, a large man-made lake with great fishing, swimming and boating. Clemson enjoys a moderate temperature year round with average temperatures in January ranging from 30°F to 50°F and in August from 69°F to 90°F. The area was once home to John C. Calhoun (father-in-law to Thomas Green Clemson) and General Andrew Pickens. The Calhoun home, today called Fort Hill, still stands on the Clemson University campus. The median household income is $35,529 in Clemson, and the median household income in the state of South Carolina is $47,238. The city of Clemson operates with the Clemson Police Department, Clemson University Fire Department and Pickens County EMS to meet public safety needs. All departments are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Clemson Area Transit offers free transportation (known as the CAT bus) to all riders. The city is also served by Amtrak on the Crescent route. The closest major airport is Greenville- Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), located a 45-minute drive away. The school district is Pickens County. Children living in the city of Clemson attend Clemson Elementary School, RC Edwards Middle School and Daniel High School. Clemson is served in the United States Senate by Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, and in the House by Jeff Duncan. Residents also enjoy access to the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts, the 18-hole Walker Golf Course, the Cooper Library, the South Carolina Botanical Garden and the Bob Campbell Geology Museum on the Clemson University campus. In addition, the University has 19 NCAA teams and numerous intramural and club sports. Downtown Greenville, located approximately 30 minutes from Clemson, offers a thriving entertainment, dining and cultural scene and is home to the Greenville Drive, a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Boston Red Sox. Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina are within a two-hour drive from Clemson, while outdoors lovers can be in the mountains of North Carolina in an hour or enjoy hiking, fishing, camping and more at one of several South Carolina state parks within a 45-minute drive of Clemson.