Associate Dean of Research and Innovation

Job Summary

The College of Engineering at Lamar University, located in Beaumont, TX, is seeking candidates for the position of Associate Dean of Research and Innovation who will be responsible for providing leadership that propels the research enterprise for the College of Engineering and Lamar University. The ideal candidate will lead the College of Engineering in developing strategic research areas that strengthen Lamar University’s research enterprise, provide training to faculty in grantsmanship leading to funding success, and build teams across multiple disciplines leading to sponsored research across multiple sources.

Essential Job Functions

• Leadership and Research Strategy Development - Provide strategic direction for research initiatives and foster a collaborative research culture.
• Mentorship and Faculty Development - Mentor faculty in research career development, team building, and grantsmanship.
• Collaboration and Team Building - Facilitate the creation of interdisciplinary research teams and foster partnerships.
• Industry Liaison and External Partnership Development - Serve as the liaison to industry and cultivate partnerships for sponsored research.
• Grant Writing and Fundraising Support - Assist faculty in securing external funding and expanding agency contacts.
• Research Performance Reporting and Evaluation - Oversee reporting and evaluation of research performance.
• Administrative and Committee Responsibilities (5%) - Serve on university committees and perform administrative duties related to research.

Minimum and Desired Qualifications

• A doctorate degree in engineering or a related field.
• Qualify for an appointment at the rank of associate or full professor in one of the five departments within the College of Engineering at Lamar University.
• A record of sustained sponsored research with a commitment to community engagement in research and scholarship.
• Proven track record in building multidisciplinary partnerships and collaborative research teams.
• Leader in team building (must be a cheerleader for faculty and their research).

• Previous academic administrative experience (department chair, associate/assistant dean, center director, etc.).
• Clear vision for research development with experience in expanding current research platforms and developing research initiatives.
• Experience in optimizing resources across the college/university.
• Ability to work constructively and collegially with members of the university, including the leadership team, faculty, and staff throughout the university

Supplemental Information

• Research Development and Management
  • Understanding of research design, strategy, and planning within academic settings.
  • Familiarity with the landscape of funding agencies, grant writing processes, and research performance reporting.
• Grant Writing and Fundraising
  • In-depth knowledge of grantsmanship, including securing sponsored research funding from sources (e.g., federal, state, industry).
• Interdisciplinary and Collaborative Research
  • Knowledge of building and fostering interdisciplinary research teams and cultivating cross-institutional partnerships (e.g., with other universities, national labs, and industry).
• Higher Education Administration
  • Understanding academic policies, faculty development, and university operations, particularly related to research initiatives and infrastructure.
Industry-Academia Collaboration Knowledge of how to bridge academic research with industry needs and future technological advancements.

• Leadership and Team Building
  • Strong leadership skills to guide and mentor faculty in research career development and team formation.
  • Ability to foster a collaborative, supportive, and innovative research environment within the College of Engineering.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
  • Excellent communication skills to serve as a liaison between the College of Engineering, other university departments, external partners, and funding agencies.
  • Strong interpersonal skills to engage faculty, administration, and industry partners effectively.
• Strategic Planning and Visioning
  • Ability to develop a clear vision and strategic direction for research development and innovation at the College of Engineering.
  • Expertise in formulating and implementing strategies to grow research programs and enhance the research enterprise.
• Resource Optimization
  • Skill in managing and optimizing resources, including faculty expertise, research tools, and funding sources, to support research growth.
• Collaboration with External Stakeholders
Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with industry leaders, research institutions, and government agencies to secure research opportunities and sponsorships.

• Mentoring and Faculty Development
  • Ability to mentor faculty members, particularly in the areas of research funding, team building, and career development in research and innovation.
• Facilitation of Collaborative Teams
  • Ability to facilitate collaboration both within and outside the university, establishing productive, multidisciplinary research teams that tackle complex challenges.
• Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
  • Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to navigate challenges in research development, faculty support, and collaboration.
• Adaptability and Innovation
  • Ability to adapt to the evolving landscape of higher education research, and to drive innovation within the College of Engineering’s research efforts.
• Institutional and Community Engagement
  • Ability to engage with the broader academic and local community, leveraging research for community impact and outreach.

Lamar University is An Equal Opportunity Employer

Lamar University is proud to provide employment preference to veteran applicants in accordance with Texas 805 Government Code, Section 657.003.

This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.