Vice Provost for Research and Creative Activity, West Chester University

Posted by West Chester University on November 6, 2017

Join a vibrant campus community whose excellence is reflected in its diversity and student success. West Chester University of Pennsylvania seeks applicants for the position of Vice Provost for Research and Creative Activity (VPRCA). The VPRCA provides administrative and technical leadership, support and oversight to faculty and staff in the development and submission of research and selected programmatic grants to external organizations including federal and state agencies. The position also oversees all pre-award activities, the intellectual property development process including patent applications and commercialization agreements, and serves as the University’s chief export control officer.

The Vice Provost for Research and Creative Activities (VPRCA) reports to the Senior Vice Provost, and embodies the growing role and importance of research at West Chester University. The VPRCA will provide vision, leadership and strategic direction of the research enterprise at WCU; promote the vitality of research and scholarship at the University; develop research growth and funding opportunities for academic units; and coordinate research partnerships with other universities, as well as state, federal and international entities. The VPRCA will be responsible for providing leadership for the development of a comprehensive research agenda at WCU; working collaboratively with deans, chairs and faculty to secure grants and contracts from public as well as private sources; provide administrative and compliance leadership of the University’s externally-funded grants portfolio; and promote, expand and coordinate interdisciplinary research efforts among units and faculty. The VPRCA will provide leadership of the undergraduate research program; have a central role in research relationships and advocacy with industry partners; and work closely with the private sector on economic partnerships, especially in the areas surrounding the University. The VPRCA will cultivate public and private research funding sources; develop, administer and monitor research policies and procedures; be an active member of the Institutional Review Board; develop and coordinate research performance metrics for the University and its stakeholders; and ensure campus units are in compliance with local, state and federal regulations and requirements.

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) provides guidance and resources to faculty, staff and students who are developing proposals for research, scholarly and creative activities that are internally and/or externally supported. It also supports the development of other externally sponsored administrative programs. The ORSP provides information on funding opportunities from federal, state and private‐sector sponsors. Collaborating with finance and business services, the ORSP works with other offices responsible for post‐award management to ensure that grant‐funded activities are implemented effectively and that principal investigators are knowledgeable of mandatory policies and procedures.

The Search Committee will accept confidential applications and nominations until the position is filled. Screening of candidates will begin immediately. For best consideration, applications and nominations should be provided before November 10, 2017. An application should include a letter describing relevant experiences and interest in the position; a resume; and the names of five references, with titles, addresses, business and home telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses. Submission of materials as an MS Word attachment is strongly encouraged. Individuals wishing to place names in nomination should submit a letter of nomination, including the name, position, address and telephone number of the nominee. Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc., an executive search firm, is assisting the university in the search.

Applications and letters of nominations should be submitted to:
Jan Greenwood or Kelly Goodsell, Executive Search Consultant
Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc.
42 Business Centre Drive, Suite 206
Miramar Beach, Florida 32550
Phone: 850-650-2277 / Fax: 850-650-2272
Email: jangreenwood@greenwoodsearch.com
Email: kellygoodsell@greenwoodsearch.com