Associate Dean of Research

Overview

The Associate Dean of Research provides leadership for the planning, implementation, maintenance and continuous quality improvement of all domains and activities pertaining to research and scholarly activity at Touro University Nevada.

The Associate Dean of Research heads the Research Department of Touro University Nevada. This position reports to the Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. The position operates across the entire university, including both Colleges.

The Associate Dean is responsible for stimulating new and optimizing current research and scholarly activities. The successful candidate oversees and directs the research activities of the individual investigator and groups of faculty members and students to help them realize their research and scholarly agendas. This position is also responsible for evaluating pre-proposals and to help coordinate interdisciplinary, multi-principal investigator research proposals, grants, and all other relevant research activities.

The Associate Dean is further responsible for overseeing internal award programs, providing seed money for new investigators, small equipment grants and travel grants for students. The Associate Dean helps promote researcher recognition, communication about and collaboration with research conducted throughout and across the entire Touro University System.

The Associate Dean ensures that the colleges’ faculty and student researchers follow best practices in the management and oversight of TUN-supported research initiatives (externally and internally funded; departmentally funded, among others). This position has oversight of Touro University Nevada research compliance committees, including, but not limited to, the IRB, IACUC, and Biosafety Committees.

This position has oversight of a research complex with over 6,000 square feet of space, including two wet labs with BSL-2 and BSL-2 rooms, a vivarium, and a human performance lab.  The Research Department also facilitates a robust evidence synthesis review program.  Additionally, the institution partners with clinicians in the Las Vegas area for research off-site and collaborates on research efforts with several other Touro campuses and facilities across the country as well as with investigators around the world.

The Associate Dean for Research is responsible for the strategy and implementation of the institution’s sponsored (grant and contract) research program, overseeing the Sponsored Programs Manager.

The Associate Dean reports directly to the Dean of the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine in fulfillment of the delineated Missions of the University and both Colleges (College of Osteopathic Medicine and College of Health and Human Services). The Associate Dean for Research works closely and collaboratively with faculty, department chairs, and school directors in both Colleges, and represents both Colleges with internal and external constituencies, including Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as well as other Touro University System campuses.

Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities of the Associate Dean for Research include:

• Participate in developing university-wide research and scholarly activity priorities and strategies in alignment with the University’s and Colleges’ missions.
• Administer the implementation and update of the strategic plan for research and scholarly activity, in alignment with the university’s overall strategic plan;
• Oversee the Sponsored Programs Manager, Research Department staff, and the institutional sponsored (grant and contract) research program;
• Manage the research department including its budget, personnel and programs, including operation and oversight of the laboratories on campus;
• Assist with and supervise gathering statistical information related to research and scholarly activity output and productivity;
• Oversee institutional research compliance committees and promote best practices for high-quality and responsible research and scholarly activity;
• Take an active role in the management of research-related concerns/issues within the faculty;
• Provide leadership and oversight for the faculty Research Committee;
• Take advantage of existing and create novel research opportunities and foster collaborative, interdisciplinary research and scholarly activities across the campus;
• Help coordinate interdisciplinary, multi-principal investigator research proposals, grants and activities;
• Develop and manage mechanisms to collect and access research interests and strengths within the faculty, student-faculty research opportunities, and potential collaborators;
• Develop and oversee mechanisms to facilitate faculty and student researcher training and development;
• Mentor faculty on research career topics, including appropriate strategies to obtain research grants, pursue publication, and build collaborations;
• Promote research-related events, grant opportunities and research accomplishments;
• Evaluate grant cost-sharing opportunities and present the evaluation to the respective Dean(s);
• Provide feedback on unsuccessful research grants;
• Evaluate and approve indirect cost waivers;
• Work with the Provost and Campus President, the Chief Operating Officer and members of Administration on all aspects of research administration including compliance and financial issues;
• Work with Chief Operating Officer, Touro University System personnel and any outside consultants as it pertains to renegotiations of Touro University Nevada’s Federal Indirect Rate;
• Work with the Chief Operating Officer and College Deans to create research financial projections for management and planning purposes;
• Works in tandem with the Deans and represents the Deans for assigned functions;
• Work with the Director of the Jay Sexter Library to coordinate support for faculty and student researchers;
• Work with research leadership from other institutions and Touro campuses on strategic research partnerships;
• Liaise with the Touro University System Research Office on a regular basis about research grant opportunities and collaborative activities;
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Earned terminal degree (D.O., M.D., Ph. D., or equivalent) in an appropriate area of specialization

Preferred additional qualification:

• Master of Science in Research Administration and Compliance or an equivalent area of specialization
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator (CPRA), or Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA) credential
• Other demonstrated successfully implemented initiatives/qualifications

Experience

• Demonstrated outstanding research record commensurate with an Associate Professor or Full Professor ran

Preferred:

• • Nationally or internationally recognized leadership in medical sciences and/or scientific research
  • Three (3) to five (5) years of administrative leadership experience managing large research programs, departments, and research grants in an academic setting

Preferred:

• • Minimum of three (3) years of administrative leadership experience managing large research programs, departments, and research grants in an academic setting specializing in medicine or healthcare
  • Demonstrated experience developing and leading a collaborative research initiative.
  • Teaching experience as a faculty member in professional and/or graduate programs at a US academic institution

Preferred:

• • Teaching experience as a faculty member in professional and/or graduate programs at a US academic institution specializing in medicine or healthcare such as a medical or dental school
  • Demonstrated success in procuring extramural funding (e.g. from government agencies, pharmaceutical industry, corporations and private donors)
  • Demonstrated success in activities that enhance the resource base of the institution (e.g. revenue from technology transfer or from partnership with industries)
  • Demonstrated experience in managing and overseeing Federal grant finance and compliance issues.

ABILITIES

• Ability to elevate the university research program including a focus on faculty and student research training
• Demonstrated excellence in leadership, interpersonal communication, collaboration, team building, and negotiation skills addressing varied constituencies (e.g., students, faculty, staff, department and program leaders)
• Innovative and creative ideas for success in a changing landscape of research funding
• Demonstrated interest in mentoring faculty and students
• Ability to take advantage of existing research opportunities and create new opportunities through networking
• Excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills following an evidence-based approach
• Ability to develop and implement strategies to pursue long-term opportunities
• Ability to be an effective advocate for the university’s research program, its faculty and students, and all of its academic programs

Touro University Nevada (TUN) and the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUNCOM) promote a diverse community that begins with students, faculty, staff, and administration who respect each other and value each other’s dignity. By identifying and removing barriers and fostering individual potential, TUN cultivates a community where all members can learn and grow. TUN is committed to a safe environment that encourages intellectual, academic, and social interaction and engagement across multiple intersections of identities. Creating and maintaining a caring community that embraces diversity in its broadest sense is among the highest priorities.

Leadership, staff, and faculty have identified diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values for Touro University Nevada. We believe in living and promoting these values as we are dedicated to creating a more diverse physician workforce and to develop skillful, culturally caring and competent physicians to improve health and solve health disparities.