Assistant / Associate Vice President for Research Business Operations

Department: Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: $140,000 - $205,000 per year; Commensurate with experience
Compensation Band: OS-OA13-Fiscal Year 2024-2025
FTE: 1.0

Application Review Begins

January 21, 2025; position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

With your online application, please upload a resume and a cover letter describing your experience, professional competencies and qualifications, and your interest to serve the University in the role. You will also be asked to enter the names and contact information of three professional references; candidates will be notified prior to contacting references.

Candidates with advanced skills and experience may be considered for the title of Associate Vice President for Research Operations.

Department Summary

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) serves as an advocate and catalyst within the University of Oregon (UO) for expanding the range and impact of UO's research, scholarship, and creative endeavors. The OVPRI oversees sponsored programs, research compliance, technology transfer, economic development, industry engagement, research-based ventures, and research development and administrative responsibility for numerous high-profile research centers and institutes and core research facilities, which provide opportunities for faculty across the university to collaborate on research efforts that are inherently interdisciplinary, and of significant societal importance. As a university that holds the distinction of a “very high research activity” ranking (R1) in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, the UO is also one of only two Pacific Northwest members of the Association of American Universities (AAU). Visit research.uoregon.edu to learn more.

OVPRI, including centers and institutes, has over 700 employees across faculty, classified and unclassified staff, postdoctoral scholars, graduate and undergraduate students, with over $50m annual budget. The Research Business Operations unit is comprised of more than twenty-five financial, technology, and administrative staff that ensure the smooth operations of this organization. The Research Business Operations portfolio spans activities from a major technology upgrade for research administration, managing faculty startup distributions, research core administrative operations, human resource development, research data analysis, financial budgeting, and, reporting and forecasting tools.

UO continues to experience a rapid phase of growth in its research portfolio as a result of increasing the number of its recent hires of tenure line faculty, with a significant increase in the sciences and other grant-active disciplines. UO opened the Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact in 2020 and it is expanding in 2025, adding up to 30 tenure line faculty with large, sponsored research portfolios. The Ballmer Institute was established in 2022 and will further expand UO’s sponsored research portfolio. We expect rapid growth in the amount and diversity of funding over the coming several years and are seeking a leader who can ensure that OVPRI is able to meet this new demand.

The OVPRI is committed to a respectful work environment. We value the cultural, educational, and life experiences of each employee. We believe that a diverse workforce enables us to deliver culturally responsive services to all members of our community. As part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we welcome, respect, and foster a sense of belonging for a wide range of identities and experiences in our workforce. We strongly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and/or LGBTQIA+ community members.

Position Summary

The Assistant/Associate Vice President of Research Business Operations (AVPRBO) reports to the Vice President for Research and Innovation and is a key member of the OVPRI’s executive management team. The AVPRBO oversees several research administrative units and serves as the strategic leader for research business operations within the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), working cooperatively with leadership and administrative staff of OVPRI administrative units, centers, institutes, and research cores. OVPRI seeks a leader who can continue the development as a best in class, high performing, customer-centric team that aligns with the goals and objectives of the office and the institution and leads the fiscal management of the unit.