"Vice President for Research"

Texas A&M University-San Antonio (A&M-SA) seeks an inaugural Vice President for Research (VPR) to lead the development of a robust research enterprise and position the University as a rising doctoral-granting institution on the path to R2 status.

Reporting directly to the President, the VPR will oversee the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and serve as a strategic architect for research growth, compliance, and faculty development. This role represents a unique opportunity to shape the future of research at one of the fastest-growing universities in the Texas A&M System.

The VPR will advance three primary priorities: providing strategic leadership for research, building infrastructure to support growth and compliance, and engaging internal and external partners to expand research outcomes. With more than $4.5 million in research expenditures in FY25 and emerging strengths in cybersecurity, education, genetics, public health, and the humanities, A&M-SA is poised for significant expansion. The VPR will collaborate closely with Academic Affairs and the College of Graduate Studies to grow doctoral programs and leverage resources across the Texas A&M System, including joint proposals and shared facilities.

As a young institution with an entrepreneurial spirit, A&M-SA requires a leader who can design and implement systems that support faculty research needs while ensuring compliance and mitigating risk. The VPR will strengthen the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs by building a high-performing, service-oriented team, improving workflows, and fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability. This includes addressing operational challenges and establishing long-term practices that enable sustained institutional growth.

Externally, the VPR will cultivate partnerships with federal agencies, foundations, industry, and regional organizations such as Port San Antonio, healthcare providers, and military installations. Internally, the VPR will champion faculty development initiatives, including grant-writing workshops, mentoring networks, and interdisciplinary collaborations. The successful candidate will be a visionary and pragmatic builder with an earned doctorate, a proven record of research leadership, and the ability to navigate complex systems while advocating for faculty and fostering innovation.

Texas A&M University-San Antonio is a proud Hispanic-Serving and Military Embracing Institution with a mission to transform lives through accessible, inclusive education. Serving nearly 8,000 students, the University is rapidly expanding its nearly 700-acre campus and strengthening its role as a catalyst for social and economic impact. The inaugural VPR will play a pivotal role in advancing this mission by elevating A&M-SA's research profile and driving its trajectory toward national prominence.

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume, and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the profile available at Wittkieffer.com.

WittKieffer is assisting Texas A&M University-San Antonio in this search. For full consideration, candidate materials should be received by February 3, 2026. Applications, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to Ryan Crawford, Natalie Song, and Bronwen Bares Pelaez, Ph.D. at TAMUSA-VPR@wittkieffer.com.