Job Details
Primary Purpose of Position
The Director serves as the scientific leader of NCCU’s BBRI research facilities in Durham and Kannapolis, NC (North Carolina Research Campus-NCRC) and holds a tenured faculty position. The Director works in partnerships and collaborates to develop multidisciplinary and inter-institutional research focusing on health issues that disproportionately affect low wealth and underserved populations. These conditions include cancers. cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, neuroscience-related disorders, and nutrition as well as maternal and child health disorders.
The Director’s responsibilities include the following: assure the quality and competitiveness of research conducted in the Institute; evaluate, plan, direct and implement activities related to the mission and function of the BBRI as a constituent body of the University; manage the Institute’s budget and provide overall administrative leadership; supervises and mentors faculty and non-tenure track scientists in securing external research funding; facilitate student research experiences within the BBRI and with the Institute’s internal and external partners; forge long-term successful partnerships among various academic and research units at NCCU as well as with agencies, corporations and academic research institutions within Research Triangle Park, throughout the state and beyond. The Director will report directly to the Vice Chancellor for the Division of Research and Economic Development.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The Director will have a distinguished record of leadership, research, grantsmanship, publications, and other scholarly activities. Sustained contribution to the sciences will be evidenced by productivity in funded research and publications in the areas of Institute interest noted above. Continuous experience as a principal investigator on externally funded biomedically related research projects is required. A record of administration in higher education is highly preferred.
Minimum Education/Experience
The Director will have an earned doctorate degree (Ph.D) or equivalent doctoral degree in the biomedical sciences; or (MD) degree with relevant research experience from an accredited institution.
Licenses or Certification required by Statute or Regulation
n/a
Equal Opportunity Employer
North Carolina Central University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.
Key Responsibilities and Related Competencies
Function Research
Scientific Development and Management
- Maintains status as a recognized leader in a field of research through an active portfolio of sponsored research grants, consistent publishing in peer reviewed journals.
- Participation on grant review panels; presentations at national and international meetings and other scientific venues.
- Provides scientific guidance to the VC for Research and Economic Development on the planning, direction and implementation of NCCU’s research enterprise and performs other tasks as required by the VC.
- Provides overall leadership to individuals and teams of investigators in developing a strategic approach for increasing the innovation and competitiveness of research conducted in the BBRI.
- Serves as a reviewer for the development and submission of research grant applications from the Institute.
- Participate in both internal and external advisory committees for BBRI research programs; assuring appropriate and timely recommendations from these committees are implemented.
- Leads and/or facilitates the development of responses to requests for applications or proposals that require multi-disciplinary or multi-institution collaboration.
- Develops and utilizes a consistent mechanism for the evaluation of research productivity of BBRI faculty and non-tenure track researchers as well as possess the authority to implement strategies to address under performance.
- Works collaboratively with academic units to assure projects requiring release time from teaching assignments is properly negotiated and appropriate reimbursement to academic departments for faculty release is accomplished.
- Works collaboratively with the Director of NCCU’s Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE) and Deans of academic units to form synergies and foster sustainable research collaborations.
- Explores continuously opportunities to develop mutually beneficial partnerships and collaborative relationships with scientists and clinicians external to NCCU.
- Represents the scientific interests of the BBRI to internal and external stakeholders and organizations.
- Serves on University committees to develop policies and procedures to address issues that impact research conducted by faculty.
- Develops and administers a process for undergraduate and graduate student research experiences in the BBRI; assures consistent evaluation of students’ progress and effectiveness of mentorship.
Function Planning and Organizing
Planning Analysis and Organizational Management
- Determines operational, research, business and administrative objectives to address goals established in strategic plans developed by the University and the Division of Research and Economic Development.
- Identifies and develops appropriate resources to support the research efforts of faculty and non-tenure track scientists; negotiates space allocation, capital equipment and personnel support.
- Works collaboratively with North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC) internal and external partners/stakeholders as the primary liaison of NCCU.
- Ensures the facility, staffing and administrative structures of the Institute are in accordance with state and federal regulations and relevant accrediting agencies.
Function Financial Management
Financial Management
- Works collaboratively with the BBRI researchers on research/grant proposals and research/grant submissions
- Works collaboratively with Institutional Advancement in the coordination and implementation of strategies relevant to major gifts and donor engagement to support growth of BBRI.
- Works collaboratively with appropriate units within the University on budget, bid specifications for capital equipment; equipment maintenance; facility planning; IT services; materials and supplies; needed to support and advance research, teaching and service.
Function Supervision/Leadership
Personnel Management
- Demonstrates management skills that include collegiality and respect along with excellence in problem solving and the ability to establish effective partnerships in an academic environment.
- Identifies position requirements and initiates recruitment of research scientists and technical support personnel who will advance the mission of the BBRI.
- A commitment to diversity evidenced by specific initiatives and/or programs focused on the recruitment, development and retention of diverse faculty, staff, and students, and the ability to communicate effectively in a culturally and ethnically diverse community.
