Vice President for Research

About This Role

Reporting directly to President Richard Linton, the VPR is responsible for encouraging and facilitating the integration and enhancement of research activities across the university’s colleges and multiple research centers, and will lead university-wide strategic research growth activities. In addition, the VPR will lead the acquisition of research funding; the planning and development of academic research space; patenting, commercialization; the incubation of new companies and recruiting of corporate research partners; and public outreach. The VPR also guides the university toward the successful achievement of Imperative 4 of the Next-Gen K-State Strategic Plan: to grow the research enterprise and annual research expenditures to $300 million and sponsored programs and awards to $270 million with a strong focus on conducting world-renowned, problem-based interdisciplinary research that solves grand challenges and makes transformative impacts.

The VPR has administrative responsibility for units that support research infrastructure, including the Office of Research Development, Pre-Award Services, the University Research Compliance Office (including animal care and use, biosafety, the institutional review board and export controls, and the Comparative Medicine Group, among others), and the K-State Postdoctoral Association. In addition, several independent, interdisciplinary research facilities and research support facilities, including the Biosecurity Research Institute, the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center, the Biotechnology Core Facility and the Electronics Design Laboratory, will report to the VPR. The VPR also serves on the President's Cabinet and on state, regional and national committees as requested that promote and support research and facilitates and economic development and engagement activities of the university. The VPR is also the designated responsible institutional official.

The incoming VPR should possess a demonstrated track record of successful leadership with significant administrative and leadership experience growing research endeavors at an institution or organization of comparable size, scope and complexity. This includes skill and experience managing across a complex research infrastructure comprised of multiple sites, centers and facilities, inclusive of independent, interdisciplinary research facilities and research support facilities. They should also possess a deep knowledge and understanding of a mission-focused, distinctive land-grant university and proven ability to oversee the entire research budget for the university. In addition, they should be a skilled, collaborative partner to internal and external stakeholders, including state, regional and national authorities. 

Please review the executive profile for more details about this position.

About Us

The office of research seeks innovative approaches to help faculty secure large federal, corporate and foundation grants. In collaboration with individual colleges, the Office of the VPR identifies grant opportunities and assists in preparing major grant applications. It also helps develop policies and procedures for university centers and institutes, selects candidates for faculty fellowships and research awards, and manages state grants for research and economic development. Additionally, the VPR oversees the university's intellectual property, aiming to enhance technology transfer. The office handles intellectual property issues related to faculty research and start-up companies, especially when technology is licensed through the university. 

For more information about Kansas State University, please review our university profile.

Worksite Option

This position is on-site. 

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• A terminal degree in a discipline represented within the university
• Credentials that merit faculty appointment at the tenured professor or principal research faculty level
• Candidates must hold or be able to secure a security clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to represent the research vision, strategies, goals and needs of the enterprise nationally and internationally, and to the executive leadership of the university.
• Experience building cohesive, high-performing teams that complement their own strengths and weaknesses.
• Understanding of the needs of research faculty — from early career to senior level — and ability to not only effectively support but also inspire growth of their research, goals and objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate strong partnerships and collaborations with deans, administrators and faculty, as well as government, industry, community constituents and other research enterprises.
• Significant leadership experience in research, contracts and grant administration, and evidence of innovative leadership in creating strategic research plans, developing faculty researchers and achieving research goals.
• Demonstrated evidence of a commitment to and leadership in a university community that values broad access to its research enterprise with a stated dedication to inclusive excellence.
• A strong commitment to fully realizing K-State’s research potential in strengthening research connections with local, national and international communities and scholars.
• An understanding of contemporary public higher education and the development of research infrastructure and enterprises.
• An understanding and appreciation for the relationship between research and entrepreneurship and the ability to unify diverse stakeholder groups in fostering an environment that promotes effective strategies and partnerships geared toward innovation. The ability and strong desire to lead a vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem.
• Significant job-related experience in research within higher education, government, and/or industry with demonstrated success in transition and adoption of research results as required.
• Significant leadership experience in research and grant administration, significant experience in the development of cross disciplinary research ventures and demonstrated experience with interpreting and managing complex agreements and authoring successful extramural research initiatives.
• Documented record as a principal investigator of large, competitive federal or similar research grants.
• Knowledge and understanding of federal, state and regional regulations and research compliance policies, procedures and requirements.
• Experience in policy setting and decision making in the research enterprise context and the desire to participate in leading and influencing the national and global research agenda by participating in AAU leadership discussions and advising Congress, among other activities.
• Ability to foster research while maintaining the highest integrity and commitment to compliant research activities.
• Informed perspective about federal agencies, federally sponsored programs, intellectual property, technology transfer and commercialization in the university environment.
• The ability to design, articulate and implement an inspiring, forward-looking, and transformative vision that leverages the Institute's strengths and builds upon its strategic plan.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing and launching successful large-scale strategic projects, including managing change, setting and implementing strategy and facilitating stakeholder engagement.
• A commitment to data-informed decision-making and ability to align others with overall strategy and goals.
• Ability to interpret budgets and implement effective institutional budgeting and fiscal management strategies.
• Proclivity and skills for relationship building with federal and national funding agencies.
• The passion for developing and executing development proposals for philanthropic, industry and alumni partners.
• Excellent communication skills with a demonstrated ability to listen to a variety of constituent groups, synthesize input, make decisions and share information broadly to build consensus and support for action.
• Strong interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills and ability to lead, either directly or through the application of persuasive influence.
• Ability to relate effectively to a wide variety of people of diverse backgrounds, including an understanding and respect for community members of all identities.
• Excellent management, organization, planning, supervisory and problem-solving skills

How to Apply

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited and will be treated confidentially.

WittKieffer is assisting Kansas State University in this search. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile.

Application materials should be submitted directly to WittKieffer's candidate portal.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Zachary A. Smith, Ph.D., Sandra Chu, and Natalie Song at K-StateVPR@WittKieffer.com.

Screening of Applications Begins

Immediately.  For best consideration, apply by March 10, 2025.