INTRODUCTION

University of Connecticut School of Social Work is seeking an Associate Dean for Research (ADR) to provide leadership for the School’s research program and to promote the full-range of faculty research and scholarship activities. Reporting to the Dean of the School of Social Work, the Associate Dean for Research is a member of the Dean’s Executive Cabinet. They should have maintained an active, extramurally funded research program of their own. The Associate Dean for Research is responsible for the strategy and implementation of the school’s sponsored (grant and contract) research program, which in FY21, totaled over $22 million. The Associate Dean for Research works closely and collaboratively with the school’s faculty and staff, and represents the School with internal and external constituencies, including the research division of the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Department of Children and Families, Connecticut Department of Social Services, Office of Organization and Skill Development, and the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, and relevant institutes and research centers throughout the university and at UConn Health (such as the Institute for Collaboration on Health Intervention and Policy and the Center on Aging). The ADR represents the school in national social work research organizations and conferences.  The Associate Dean for Research organizes and promotes faculty development activities and maintains an annual calendar of events that enhance scholarly and research expertise and advances the research culture in the school.

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Specific responsibilities of the Associate Dean for Research include: mentoring faculty (especially early career faculty) on research career issues; providing summary reports of the school’s research expenditures; evaluating and promoting research funding opportunities; ensuring the availability of resources to facilitate faculty grant-making activities; building and maintaining the school’s research infrastructure; supervising the school’s grants management officer; fostering collaborative, interdisciplinary research between School of Social Work and other schools and departments at UConn; implementing the research aspects of the School’s new strategic plan; representing the School on the University wide Research Dean’s Council; working with other campus research leadership on strategic research partnerships; maintaining a regular calendar of research related lectures, educational events and workshops; fostering internal research seed grant opportunities; coordinating communications and training activities related to grant submissions and research compliance regulations with the Office of the Vice President for Research, University Sponsored Program Services and the University Institutional Review Board; and working with the School’s communication staff  to promote the School’s research and scholarship accomplishments.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. An earned doctorate in social work or a related field.
2. An outstanding research record commensurate with an Associate Professor or Full Professor evidenced by both a robust and sustained publication history and successful extramural grant awards and activity.
3. Experience managing large research projects, including understanding of finance and compliance issues.
4. Experience teaching in social work or related discipline. 
5. Experience and ability in mentoring doctoral students and/or faculty.
6. Experience with decision-making and problem-solving.
7. Experience with leadership positions that require excellent interpersonal abilities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

1. Ability to integrate a DEI/Anti-racism lens into concepts related to research design, development, and implementation.
2. Organizational leadership experience.
3. Administrative experience supervising grant preparation, financial management, compliance, and reporting.
4. Experience evaluating research proposals.
5. Ability to advocate for, promote and elevate the SSW research enterprise, our faculty and academic programs.
6. Innovative and creative ideas for success in a changing landscape of research funding.
7. Experience developing and managing research partnerships with community and/or state agencies or NGOs.
8. History of federal research funding.
9. Strong knowledge of responsible conduct in research, research integrity.
10. Ability to manage competing priorities under strict deadlines. 

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a 12-month managerial confidential position with an expected start date of August 23, 2022. As a management employee (referred to at the University as “management exempt”) the appointment as Associate Dean is at will and will serve at the pleasure of the Dean. Included within this appointment, you will also receive a nine-month faculty appointment in the School of Social Work. Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/21433 and submit the following application materials:

• A cover letter that comments on the relevant minimum and preferred requirements,
• Curriculum vitae,
• Research and scholarship statement (innovative concepts that will form the basis of academic career, experience in proposal development, mentorship of graduate students, etc.);
• Teaching statement (including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, commitment to effective learning, concepts for new course development, etc.);
• Commitment to diversity statement (including broadening participation, integrating multicultural experiences in instruction and research and pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles, etc.);
• Sample journal articles or books
• Contact information for three letters of reference. References will not be contacted without prior permission of the candidate.

For specific questions related to this position, please contact Search Committee Chair Joanne Corbin, Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Joanne.corbin@uconn.edu.

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject the budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.