Vice President of Research

Arizona State University: Knowledge Enterprise

Location

Tempe campus

Open Date

Jul 10, 2026

Description

Knowledge Enterprise on the Tempe Campus of Arizona State University (ASU) invites applications for the position of Vice President of Research with a concurrent appointment as tenured Professor. The Vice President of Research (VPR) will report to the Executive Vice President (EVP) of Knowledge Enterprise and serves as a member of the core leadership team for the EVP, providing strategic leadership for ASU’s research enterprise, advancing the university’s research mission and accelerating the growth, impact, and national prominence of its research portfolio.

The Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise (KE) is a fast-growing research and innovation ecosystem that drives ASU’s research portfolio. Building upon a trajectory that has nearly tripled annual research expenditures over the past decade to more than $1 billion, the VPR will drive initiatives that expand research capacity, strengthen faculty success, and enhance ASU’s competitiveness for external funding and strategic partnerships.

The successful candidate will be a distinguished research leader with a record of scholarly achievement and significant experience leading complex research organizations. The ideal candidate will possess deep knowledge of the evolving research landscape, including federal funding priorities, research administration, compliance, technology commercialization, and public-private partnerships. Experience working across disciplines and managing large teams, particularly in science, engineering, health, and emerging technologies, is highly desirable.

This leader must exhibit the highest integrity and excellent communication skills, as well as exemplify ASU’s inclusive values and commitment to excellence, fostering an environment of innovation, collaboration, and operational effectiveness aligned with the university’s charter and goals.

Essential Functions:

Research Strategy, Growth & Portfolio Development

• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy to maximize the research productivity and competitiveness of ASU faculty, schools, colleges, institutes, and centers, ensuring the continued growth and impact of the university’s research enterprise.
• Lead efforts to expand sponsored research activity by identifying and advancing opportunities for federal, state, industry, foundation, and large-scale strategic funding in partnership with academic and research leaders across the university.
• Assess institutional research strengths, capabilities, and infrastructure to identify areas of competitive advantage and advise senior leadership on opportunities for growth and investment.
• Partner with institute and initiative leaders to strengthen research capacity, advance strategic project acquisition, and position ASU for transformative research initiatives.
• Assist with the development and implementation of strategic investment approaches that accelerate growth in priority research areas, monitor outcomes, and ensure alignment with institutional goals.

Research Administration, Operations & Service Excellence

• Oversee research initiatives, and manage administrative support units as assigned, ensuring operational excellence, strategic alignment, and effective stewardship of resources.
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality research support services across the research lifecycle, including proposal development, pre-award administration, post-award management, and faculty support functions.
• Provide leadership for research administration, including the development and oversight of research policies, procedures, and operational frameworks that support a world-class research environment.
• Work with university leadership and stakeholders to align research infrastructure and resource allocation decisions with strategic research priorities and institutional goals.

Research Integrity, Compliance & Stewardship

• Serve as ASU’s Research Integrity Officer, ensuring the highest standards of research ethics, compliance, accountability, and responsible conduct of research.
• Oversee institutional research compliance programs and ensure adherence to federal, state, sponsor, and university requirements.Promote a culture of integrity, transparency, and responsible research practices across the university’s research enterprise.
• Ensure effective stewardship of research resources and accountability for investments made in support of ASU’s strategic research priorities.

Leadership, Collaboration & External Engagement

• Serve as a liaison between Knowledge Enterprise and the Academic Enterprise to align faculty recruitment, leadership appointments, and research investments with institutional priorities and emerging opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Vice President of Innovation, Skysong Innovations, the ASU Foundation, and other university stakeholders to advance ASU’s research, innovation, and commercialization objectives.
• Work closely with Government Affairs and external relations teams to strengthen ASU’s engagement with federal agencies, policymakers, and research stakeholders, maximizing opportunities to advance faculty research priorities and institutional objectives.
• Represent ASU and Knowledge Enterprise to external constituencies, including government agencies, industry partners, academic institutions, healthcare organizations, international collaborators, foundations, and community stakeholders.
• Foster and advance collaborative research initiatives with peer institutions, national laboratories, and strategic partners, including statewide and regional collaborations.
• Serve as a member of the Knowledge Enterprise Leadership Team and represent the Executive Vice President and Knowledge Enterprise leadership in internal and external engagements as required.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD or similar terminal degree, achievement in research and scholarship to meet the requirements for obtaining tenure and appointment as a full professor.
• Eight (8) years previous experience in a senior management role with responsibility for development and execution of strategic operational initiatives.
• A strong record of scholarly or professional achievement and experience managing large teams or complex projects. Or any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities have been achieved.

Desired Qualifications:

• Demonstrated expertise in multiple basic or applied sciences with a broad level of knowledge across multiple disciplines.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and build teams.
• Experience in working across academic units to achieve research outcomes.
• Familiarity working with varied funders including federal philanthropic, international, and corporate.
• Knowledge of business development practices and financial principles in research.
• Experience with research compliance and regulation.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Administrative leadership managing faculty and staff.
• Skill in development and delivery of presentations and public speaking engagements.