Associate Dean for Research and Innovation - College of Engineering

The College of Engineering (CoE) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), located in Richmond, VA, invites applications for an Associate Dean for Research and Innovation.
VCU is a public research university unlike any other, dedicated to serving the needs of students and patients. Ignited by the energy of the city, we’re ready to lead industries — or disrupt them. We seek out the unexpected, the experimental, the never-been-tried. VCU is designated as a research university with very high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation, garnering more than $500 million in sponsored research from federal and other agencies in FY2024. The National Science Foundation ranked VCU among the top 50 public research universities in the country, and we are one of only 69 public universities nationwide to be designated by the Carnegie Foundation as “Community Engaged” with “Very High Research Activity.”

VCU’s contributions in talent, innovation and entrepreneurialism, regional stewardship and local culture shape the economic impact and overall quality of life in the region. VCU as a whole generates more than $9 billion in economic activity. It is the largest employer in Richmond with more than 26,000 employees at VCU and VCU Health, and it supports approximately 58,000 jobs in Virginia. In addition, Virginia classifies VCU with a Tier III status — the highest possible status for universities and colleges — allowing VCU more flexibility in managing its operations to implement best practices and streamline processes. To learn about VCU’s finances, visit about.finance.vcu.edu.

VCU’s College of Engineering was established in 1996 as a public-private partnership to address the need for engineering innovation in a 21st-century economy. Under a new Dean of Engineering, the college is undergoing exceptional transformations, expanding its interdisciplinary research and educational offerings and aiming for excellence in impactful thematic areas of global significance. VCU Engineering’s research collaborations with industry, community, and academic partners regularly yield breakthroughs in pharmaceutical engineering; smart cities, sustainability, and clean energy; materials development; health care, regenerative medicine, rehabilitation, and medical device development; data science and better security for cyber and cyber-physical systems. Its multidisciplinary, entrepreneurial approach to engineering education immerses undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students in meaningful research investigations throughout their studies.

VCU Engineering has pioneered several groundbreaking centers, such as the Medicines for All Institute, an international leader in reducing pharmaceuticals' costs for underserved populations, and the recently established Convergence Lab, a landmark new $9 million DoD-funded cross-disciplinary institute focused on solving pressing defense challenges for the U.S. The college leads the Central Virginia Node of the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative, a state supported engine for research, innovation and commercialization of cybersecurity technologies.

Position Summary:

The CoE at VCU seeks an innovative and visionary leader to serve as the Associate Dean of Research and Innovation. This position is critical in advancing the college’s research agenda, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, and strengthening partnerships with industry, government agencies, and academic stakeholders. Reporting directly to the Dean of the College of Engineering, the Associate Dean of Research and Innovation will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of engineering research and ensuring its alignment with the institution’s strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a plan to enhance the school’s research capacity and funding.
• Actively seek and secure external research funding from government agencies, industry partners, and foundations through grant writing, proposal development, and relationship building.
• Foster interdisciplinary research collaborations both within and beyond the college.
• Enhance innovation and creative works, patents, and promote and support incubators, startups, and other lab-to-market commercialization activities.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to faculty, staff, and students engaged in research activities.
• Oversee research infrastructure, including laboratories, facilities, and equipment, ensuring optimal utilization.
• Ensure the impact and dissemination of research: Promote the dissemination and impact of research findings through conferences, publications, and community engagement.
• Foster a culture of innovation within the College by facilitating collaboration between researchers, industry partners, and entrepreneurs to translate research findings into practical applications.
• Ensure compliance with ethical and regulatory standards for all research activities.
• Represent the school in university-wide and external committees related to research.
• Represent the College at selective conferences, industry events, and government meetings to promote research capabilities and build partnerships.
• Provides leadership, data, procedures, and administration for the college initiatives identified by the Dean and the College strategic and action plans. Ensure constant communications and coordination with the Dean’s leadership team, including Associate and Assistant Deans, Department Chairs, and unit directors.

Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in engineering or a closely related field.
• A distinguished research record, including publications in high-impact journals and external funding.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in an academic or research setting.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.Experience developing and leading large research programs, centers, or institutes of national importance with external funding.
• Experience in raising externally sponsored research and innovation projects for groups of faculty or researchers, above and beyond their own, and individual PI projects.
• Experience working with national funding agencies, as experts, temporary, or permanent appointments (e.g., NSF, NIH, DoD, DARPA, ARPA-E, etc.) is preferred
• Experience in building and managing collaborative research partnerships is highly desirable.
• Experience in patents and commercialization of engineering products, incubator programs, and startups, and have an entrepreneurial mindset to help faculty and students expand their creative work and commercial productivity.
• Experience establishing research space and resource allocation to faculty, research centers, and institutes to maximize the utility of available resources; optimize the available resources to ensure fairness while considering the College and university priorities.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU

Application Process:

Interested candidates should submit their application, including a cover letter highlighting qualifications and vision for the role, a comprehensive curriculum vitae, and the names and email addresses of five professional references. Reference letters will be requested by the search committee for candidate finalists. Only complete electronic materials submitted via the VCU Jobs Website will be accepted.

This recruitment will close on April 21, 2025. Position is expected to start in Summer 2025. For additional information, please contact the Chair of the search committee, Gary Tepper, Ph.D., email: gctepper@vcu.edu.

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

Position Type: Teaching & Research Faculty
Full time equivalent: 100
ORP Eligible: Yes
Tenure: Tenure Track
Rank: Professor
Months: 12
Department: Dean's Office - College of Engineering

Salary: Commensurate

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Chair of the Search Committee
Contact Email: gctepper@vcu.edu
Contact Phone: