Associate Vice President for Research

Search for the Associate Vice President for Research

University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, New Mexico

 

The University of New Mexico (UNM) seeks a strategic and innovative academic leader to serve as the next Associate Vice President for Research (AVPR). The AVPR will work closely with the Vice President for Research to lead and support the research mission and achieve the ambitious research goals of the institution. UNM has established a reputation of excellence, where collaboration and innovation allow researchers to productively engage in cross-cutting areas of strategic focus to make positive and meaningful institutional, societal, and global impacts. Research at UNM allows students and faculty to tackle intellectual challenges as well as engage in valuable hands-on training spanning all academic disciplines using world-class facilities.

 

UNM provides education to over 25,000 students, more than 80 percent of whom are New Mexico residents. The University has one of the most diverse student bodies of any major research university in the nation and is one of only 21 Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) in the U.S. that has a Carnegie Classification of Highest Research Activity (R1). UNM is ranked among the top 100 Research and Development-Performing Institutions in the U.S. with expenditures of over 300 million dollars annually.

New Mexico is a state whose population has been significantly affected by challenges such as chronic disease, housing insecurity, and climate change, among others. In 2019, President Garnett Stokes announced the creation of the Grand Challenges program that brought researchers and scholars together to find solutions to address some of the state’s most pressing concerns. The program has been a tremendous success since its inception with three concept teams that to date have had over $50 million return on the original $2.5 million investment. In September of 2022, the university  added ten new concept teams in its efforts to broaden its reach and impact. The AVP will play a key role in supporting these teams to continue bettering the health and well-being of a state with a rich history and boundless potential. 


The next AVPR will join the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) at a pivotal time as the university also embarks on UNM 2040, an ambitious and aspirational vision that defines the long- and short-term objectives of the university. Reporting to and working closely with the Vice President of Research (VPR), Dr. Ellen Fisher, the AVP will be instrumental in supporting UNM’s research goals through the implementation of a recently developed research strategic plan aligned with the priorities outlined in UNM 2040. They will oversee and support the leadership of OVPR units and programs, including the Director of Faculty Research Development Office (FRDO), Director of the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP), and the Executive Director of the Office of Research Integrity and Compliance (ORIC). By establishing and further developing partnerships within the UNM community and externally with local, state, and national stakeholders, the AVPR will play an integral role in achieving the campus’ ambitious research objectives. 
 

To be successful, the AVPR will be expected to address a number of opportunities and challenges, listed below, and outlined in detail beginning on page seven of this document: 

 

 

  • Catalyze the implementation of UNM’s research strategic plan that furthers the campus’ scholarly and innovative impact on the State of New Mexico and beyond;   
  • Further integrate the OVPR with the broader UNM community to strengthen collaborative research efforts; 
  • Establish and further develop key partnerships locally, nationally, and globally to better position UNM’s reputation as a world-class research enterprise while securing financial resources; 
  • Serve as the primary resource for the UNM campus on all compliance matters at the federal, state, local, and institutional level;
  • Continue to foster a culture of collaboration and customer service to further OVPR’s reputation as an accessible and supportive resource for the campus and an attractive place for staff to work.

 

 

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website for the search: https://www.imsearch.com/search-detail/8741. Electronic submission of materials is required.

 

Julie Filizetti, Rafa Escobedo, Katie Pusecker

Isaacson, Miller

1000 Sansome Street, Suite 300

San Francisco, CA  94111

Phone: 415.655.4900

 

UNM is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability or protected veteran status.