Job Description

A.T. Still University (ATSU) is seeking an exempt Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research & Sponsored Programs on the Kirksville, Missouri campus. Reporting to the vice chancellor for academic support, the assistant vice chancellor for research & sponsored programs provides strategic oversight of the University's research and sponsored programs. Responsibilities include aligning initiatives with the University's mission and accreditation standards; managing related budgets, regulatory committees, and compliance; overseeing internal grant programs; and supporting intellectual property, patents, and commercialization.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and oversight for research and sponsored programs departments to ensure efficient and effective operations.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures that support faculty in pursuing external funding opportunities.
• Serve as the University's research integrity officer, promoting ethical conduct in research.
• Foster a robust and collaborative University research environment.
• Collaborate with the Office of Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel to support faculty in areas of intellectual property, patents, commercialization, and technology transfer.
• Oversee the University's Federal-wide Assurance (FWA) and related regulatory compliance.
• Represent the University in external research and sponsored program partnerships and initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the vice chancellor for academic support, including serving as an authorized official for sponsored programs.

Strategic Leadership

• Align research and sponsored program efforts with the University's mission, values, and strategic plan.
• Identify and promote opportunities for growth in research capacity and sponsored funding.
• Serve as a thought leader in research policy, infrastructure, and best practices.

Administrative Oversight

• Manage the operations of research and sponsored programs offices.
• Supervise staff and allocate resources to support institutional research goals.
• Develop and oversee budgets for departments reporting to the position.

Faculty and Institutional Support

• Create and maintain policies and support structures that encourage faculty to pursue external funding.
• Provide training and resources for grant writing, proposal development, and project management.
• Oversee internal research grant programs and seed funding initiatives.

Compliance and Integrity

• Serve as the University's research integrity officer.
• Ensure adherence to all federal, state, and institutional regulations related to research (e.g., IRB, IACUC, FWA).
• Maintain oversight of compliance, ethics, and responsible conduct of research.

Intellectual Property and Innovation

• Support faculty in identifying and developing intellectual property.
• Collaborate with legal counsel on patent filings, licensing, and commercialization opportunities.
• Promote technology transfer and entrepreneurial initiatives related to research.

External Relations and Representation

• Represent the University with federal agencies, research collaborators, and funding organizations.
• Cultivate partnerships that enhance the University's research profile and opportunities.
• Serve as the institutional signatory or authorized official for sponsored programs as designated.

Requirements

Education and Training:

• Graduate degree in research or a related field.
• Experience with Federal and state research regulations and compliance.
• Deep understanding of federal regulations (e.g., NIH, NSF, HHS, ED, etc.) and compliance requirements, including IRB, IACUC, FWA, and responsible conduct of research.
• Knowledge of research integrity, human subjects protections, and conflict of interest policies.
• Expertise in pre- and post-award processes, including proposal development, budgeting, grant submissions, reporting, and audit requirements.
• Familiarity with grants.gov, eRA Commons, Research.gov, and related sponsor portals.
• Knowledge of how research fits into a university setting, including interdisciplinary collaboration, faculty development, and integration with academic programs.
• Understanding of the institutional culture and needs of health sciences universities.
• Working knowledge of patent processes, IP protection, licensing, and commercialization pathways.
• Ability to support faculty in translating research into practical applications, in coordination with legal counsel and external partners.
• Capacity to align research goals with institutional strategy and mission.
• Skill in leading teams, managing budgets, developing policy, and building internal and external relationships.

Experience

• Proven experience overseeing pre- and post-award grant functions, including proposal submission, budget development, fund management, compliance, and reporting for federal, state, foundation, and private funding sources.
• Demonstrated success managing or supervising professional staff in research administration or sponsored programs offices within a higher education or research-intensive environment.
• Direct experience managing institutional research compliance programs, including IRB, IACUC, conflict of interest, export control, and responsible conduct of research. Experience serving as or supporting a research integrity officer is especially valuable.
• Experience working with intellectual property disclosures, patent filings, licensing agreements, or technology transfer, ideally in collaboration with legal counsel or a tech transfer office.
• Track record of supporting faculty research through initiatives such as grant writing workshops, seed funding programs, collaborative proposal development, or interdisciplinary research initiatives.

ATSU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverages, among more. If eligible, employee-elected benefits would begin the first of the month following hire date. For more information, please visit: atsu.edu/employment/benefits.