Assistant Dean for Research and Entrepreneurship: College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS) - UTK

Reporting to the Dean of the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS), the Assistant Dean for Research and Entrepreneurship (ADR) will play a critical role in driving CECS’s mission to advance interdisciplinary research and entrepreneurial initiatives. CECS is a hub for academic innovation, dedicated to preparing students for emerging careers in rapidly evolving fields. The ADR will lead the development of a strategic vision that supports faculty and students in pursuing collaborative research while embedding entrepreneurship as a key component of CECS’s approach to academic and career readiness.

This position requires a visionary leader who can champion research initiatives while fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation. The ADR will oversee the college's sponsored research programs, establish partnerships that expand entrepreneurial opportunities, and cultivate an environment where ideas can transform into impactful ventures. Success in this role will require a strong foundation in interdisciplinary research, experience in fostering innovation, and a passion for integrating entrepreneurship into academic and research activities.

1. Leadership in Research and Entrepreneurship

• Conceptualize and lead CECS's strategic vision for a dynamic, collaborative research and entrepreneurship agenda.
• Foster a research culture that promotes both traditional scholarly research and entrepreneurial endeavors, providing faculty and students with the tools and support needed to explore and develop new ideas.
• Partner with the Dean and other CECS leaders to identify, develop, and fund initiatives that blend research and entrepreneurship, ensuring alignment with CECS’s mission of academic innovation.
• Serve as CECS liaison with ORIED and advocate for CECS partnerships across the campus.

2. Research Development and Support

• Mentor CECS faculty, including both full-time and affiliated members, in research design, funding acquisition, and entrepreneurial strategy . Support assessment of CECS faculty for research productivity. 
• Oversee the CECS research budget and ensure strategic allocation of resources toward impactful, interdisciplinary projects.
• Develop infrastructure and support systems for faculty and student research, such as workshops, resources for grantsmanship, and startup guidance for entrepreneurial projects.
• Develop and manage research awards for faculty, students, and projects
• Lead CECS’s grant and fellowship initiatives, proactively identifying funding opportunities and assembling interdisciplinary teams for large-scale projects.
• Support CECS faculty and affiliates with proposal submissions to ORIED including IRB support, budget development, narrative development, and grant management. 

3. Strategic Partnerships and Outreach

• Establish and maintain partnerships with other university units, as well as national and international institutions, to broaden the scope and impact of CECS’s research and entrepreneurial activities.
• Serve as the liaison between CECS and key offices such as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, Institutional Review Board (IRB), and relevant industry and community partners, including serving on relevant University committees. Collaborate with CECS and UTK Marketing and Communication teams to promote CECS’s research achievements and entrepreneurial success stories.

4. Entrepreneurship Initiatives

• Integrate entrepreneurship into CECS’s academic and research framework, ensuring that students and faculty have pathways to transform research into viable, impactful solutions.
• Develop and manage CECS’s entrepreneurial programs, such as incubators or accelerators, that encourage students and faculty to pursue innovative ventures.
• Establish metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) for measuring the success of entrepreneurial initiatives within CECS.
• Work with the Dean and the Director of Partnerships to align entrepreneurship initiatives with CECS’s collaborative research and industry engagement goals.
• Contribute to CECS academic programs by working with the ADFA and ADAA in integrating research, scholarship, and entrepreneurship elements into the existing courses.

5. Fostering a Collaborative and Entrepreneurial Culture

• Promote a collaborative and entrepreneurial environment by developing programs that support creative research, startups, and technology commercialization.
• Build policies, practices, and networks that support interdisciplinary collaboration and foster a growth mindset among faculty, staff, and students.
• Procure and manage resources—financial, technical, and advisory—to support entrepreneurial activities a