Tennesee Tech University -- College of Engineering

INSTITUTION: Tennessee Tech University

DEPARTMENT:  College of Engineering

POSITION: Associate Dean for Research and Innovation

LINK: www.tntech.edu/jobs

NOTES: Application review begins January 15, 2013

The College of Engineering at Tennessee Tech University invites an innovative, energetic scholar and leader to serve as Associate Dean for Research and Innovation.  The candidate who fills this position will provide vision and leadership for the College's research mission as it expands its extramural funding base and partnerships, and enhances its reputation for scholarly excellence.  The College recently completed a strategic plan and is in the implementation stage.  The strategic research focus areas of the College can be found at http://www.tntech.edu/engineering/ResearchFocusAreas.  This is a twelve month senior-level tenured position reporting directly to the Dean.  Offer of tenure is subject to approval by Tennessee Board of Regents. This is a renewable four- year term appointment.

Essential Functions

·         Increase the College's research stature and funding by developing and implementing strategies such as: cultivating partnerships with potential research sponsors; working with Associate VP for Research in contacting Federal funding agencies, elected representatives and lobbyists; developing external and internal partnerships that lead to funding for larger strategic initiatives, especially  multi-million, multi-investigator, multi-disciplinary grants; coordinating programs to promote and recognize research and innovation activities within the College;  and attending relevant conferences and workshops to market the COE research expertise;

• Provide direction and supervision to the College’s two Centers of Excellence in Manufacturing Research and Energy Systems Research in such matters as annual budget preparation and spending, hiring and evaluation of staff and research collaborations; and coordinate College’s cost-sharing research investments with the Department Chairs and Center Directors  and with accountability from the investees;

·         Assist the Departments in recruiting outstanding faculty in the College research focus areas with competitive start-up packages and facilities; assist new faculty through engagement and mentorship to establish successful research programs and submit significant research proposals (e.g., NSF CAREER); and lead College-wide efforts around research-related faculty development and mentoring programs;

·         Guide the faculty in technology transfer and other entrepreneurial activities;

·         Assist the Departments in the recruitment of high quality graduate students and oversee the administrative functions associated with the College's research and teaching assistantships and other research related student appointments;

·         Conduct benchmarking with peer and aspirational peer institutions;

·         Manage effective utilization of College space and facilities including allocation and renovation;

Maintain an appropriate level of personal teaching and research program.
 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

·         Earned doctorate in an engineering or computer science discipline closely related to one of the disciplines offered by the College of Engineering at TTU;

·         Qualify for a faculty appointment at the rank of Professor in one of the academic departments in the College;

·         Experience in supervising the research of graduate students through the Ph.D.;

·         A proven track record of externally-funded research and nationally-recognized scholarly achievement;

·         A working knowledge of government and industrial funding sources;

·         Proven ability to put together successful research teams and commitment to working collaboratively with people from  a diverse range of disciplines and groups; 

·         Demonstrated commitment to affirmative action and equal opportunity; and

·         Superior communication skills and strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with students, faculty, staff and administrators of the university and external constituents.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

·         Knowledge about and experience in fiscal management and compliance within oversight of grants and contracts;

·         Success as a leader of a department-, college-, or university-level initiative; 

·     Ability to identify opportunities, establish priorities, and lead innovative strategic efforts critical to the success of College’s research programs; 

·         Knowledge and experience in managing intellectual property rights and entrepreneurial opportunities including a record of entrepreneurial attainment;

·         Experience in planning, implementing, and sustaining comprehensive research centers or programs;

·         Research funding from major federal agencies such as NSF, DOE and DOD; and

·         Experience in leading an academic unit

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: 

Applicants will be required to electronically submit via www.tntech.edu/jobs a curriculum vitae, a letter addressing qualifications, administrative philosophy (upload under Other Document), and  vision for research and innovation, a copy of transcripts for highest degree earned (official transcripts from all institutions required upon hire), and complete contact information of five professional references who will be contacted at a later date.  Questions about the position may be addressed to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Darrell Hoy (dhoy@tntech.edu). Submission of materials is the applicant’s responsibility.  Applications without all required materials are incomplete and will not be considered. Applications and nominations will be considered until the position is filled; however, review of applications will begin on January 15, 2013. 

APPOINTMENT: 

Appointment is effective July 1, 2013 or a later negotiated date.  AA/EEO