UMKC's Office of Research Services

The key expectations and responsibilities for the potential Vice Chancellor for Research include:

1. Vision and Strategy: The candidate should possess a robust vision for the future of research at UMKC and be able to develop and implement effective strategies to propel the university's research endeavors forward.
2. Research Growth: Given the recent doubling of research expenditures, the new leader will be expected to continue fostering an environment that encourages and supports research growth. This involves identifying new funding opportunities, fostering collaborations and supporting researchers in their pursuits.
3. Technology and Economic Development: With the designation of Kansas City and Missouri as tech hubs, the Vice Chancellor for Research will play a key role in aligning UMKC research efforts with the broader goals of technology, economic development and innovation in the Kansas City region and state of Missouri. Working closely with the Vice Chancellor of Commercialization and Entrepreneurship, Maria Meyers, in many of these efforts.
4. Mission-Critical Research Areas: UMKC's commitment to addressing pressing issues, such as cancer treatment, safety in operating rooms, protection against drone attacks and viral detection, highlights the diverse and impactful research conducted at the university. The new leader should support and further develop these areas of research excellence and identify new areas of research focus.
5. Community Engagement: Engaging with the local community and fostering collaborations with industry partners is crucial. This not only enhances the impact of UMKC research but also contributes to the broader socioeconomic development of the region.
6. Carnegie R1 Status: We anticipate achieving recognition as a Carnegie R1 institution in the forthcoming 2025 Carnegie research designation. This new leader will be charged with leveraging the new designation for research partnerships and unlocking additional opportunities to advance the university's mission.
7. Innovation and Entrepreneurship: UMKC aims to enhance innovation, commercialization and entrepreneurship. The new leader should be prepared to champion initiatives that promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among faculty, students and the broader university community.
8. Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Given the breadth of research areas mentioned, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration will be essential for addressing complex challenges that require expertise from various fields.
9. Research Infrastructure and Faculty Development: Enhance research infrastructure, mentor and support faculty in developing competitive research proposals and promote a culture of research excellence highlighted in the UMKC Strategic Plan.

In summary, the ideal candidate for Vice Chancellor for Research at UMKC would be a strategic thinker, collaborative leader, and visionary scholar capable of driving the UMKC research enterprise to new heights and aligning it with the evolving needs of the Kansas City metropolitan area, the state of Missouri and beyond.

The Vice Chancellor for Research reports to the Chancellor and will also work closely with the Provost, other executive officers and the Deans to further the research programs and creative works strategies for the university. The Vice Chancellor provides leadership and promotes excellence and continuing growth for the UMKC research enterprise. The VCR is the authorized institutional official responsible for assuring academic integrity in research and compliance with federal, state and local regulations pertaining to research.

Education
The Vice Chancellor for Research must hold an earned doctoral degree and a record of recognized achievement in academic research. Equivalent education and experience providing evidence of understanding the academic research process may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications
The preferred candidate will be a distinguished scholar and leader with a proven track record of advancing research enterprises, fostering innovation and promoting academic excellence. This individual should embody the values of UMKC and demonstrate a commitment to shaping the future of research at the university.
* Proven success in a leadership role within a research-intensive university or a comparable institution.
* Experience in fostering a culture of innovation, entrepreneurialism and community engagement.
* Visionary scholar with a demonstrated ability to envision and implement a strategic vision for the future of research at a university.
* Record of advancing a research enterprise and contributing to the overall mission of an academic institution.
* Track record of successfully fostering research growth, securing substantial sponsored project awards, identifying and cultivating new funding opportunities, and fostering collaborations.
* Understanding of the intersection between research, technology and economic development; and the ability to align research efforts with the broader goals in technology, innovation and economic development.
* Demonstrated ability to work effectively with faculty, build cohesive teams and motivate academic professionals.
* Experience in engaging with local communities and establishing collaborations with industry partners.
* Ability to enhance the impact of research on the socioeconomic development of the region.
* Familiarity with the Carnegie classification system and experience leveraging institutional achievements for research partnerships.
* Ability to unlock additional opportunities for the institution based on Carnegie Research I status.
* Track record of championing initiatives that promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among faculty and students.
* Experience in translating research into tangible outcomes, including commercialization efforts.
* Proven success in fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration to address complex challenges.
* Ability to facilitate collaboration among diverse academic units and research centers.
* Experience in enhancing research infrastructure.
* Proven ability to mentor and support faculty in developing competitive research proposals and promoting a culture of research excellence.
* Understanding and expertise in the health sciences domain with the ability to capitalize on existing strengths and opportunities.
* Previous success in advancing research initiatives in health-related fields.
* Ability to craft institutional frameworks that leverage existing strengths and capitalize on immediate opportunities.
* Commitment to driving research excellence and achieving societal impact.
* Collaborative and inclusive leadership style, capable of working closely with executive officers, deans and diverse stakeholders.
* Ability to foster a collaborative environment dedicated to the success of the institution.
* Familiarity with academic integrity in research and compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
* Proven ability to ensure adherence to ethical standards and regulatory requirements.
* Experience or demonstrated understanding of global trends in research and the ability to integrate global perspectives into strategic initiatives.
* Strong communication skills and the ability to advocate for the research enterprise at the university and broader community levels.
* Experience engaging with diverse stakeholders, including alumni, industry partners, and governmental agencies.

Candidates should include a Cover Letter outlining leadership qualifications, practice, teaching, and/or research interests, as well as a detailed curriculum vitae. Later in the search process, additional information may be sought from interested candidates, along with names and contact information for at least 5 references. Candidates will be notified before references are contacted.
Nominations, applications and confidential questions about the search and role can be sent to umhrexecutivesearch@umsystem.edu.

We anticipate the appointment will be made in the Summer or early Fall of 2024. Review of the applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, applicant material should be received by March 2, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at

Values Commitment
We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person's success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.

In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research, and engagement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit or call Human Resources at 816-235-1621.
To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.