Vice President for Research - MUSC

Job Description SummaryThe Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) seeks a visionary leader to serve as the Vice President for Research (VPR). As a vital member of the University’s senior leadership team, the VPR will build on the successes o...

Job Description Summary

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) seeks a visionary leader to serve as the Vice President for Research (VPR). As a vital member of the University’s senior leadership team, the VPR will build on the successes of distinguished faculty and spearhead the evolution of biomedical research across the MUSC research enterprise. The VPR will partner with senior leadership and faculty to enhance and support strategic partnerships among MUSC institutions, state and federal government, laboratories and agencies, business and industry, nonprofit organizations, and other public and private institutions of higher education. Leveraging the current strengths and future goals, the VPR will accelerate the pathway from biomedical discovery to improve health care in South Carolina and beyond.
As the premier biomedical research institution in South Carolina, MUSC’s commitment to advancing health care through discovery is apparent, with more than $300 million in research funding in fiscal year 2023. This funding reflects the quality of research and innovation at MUSC, a direct result of the strategic recruitment of top-tier scientists focusing on serving the needs of the people of South Carolina and beyond. The faculty are internationally recognized for their work in many areas, including cancer, fibrosis, health disparities, immunity, neuroscience, stroke, and substance use disorders, and they focus on translating scientific discoveries to patient care.
Candidates should hold a terminal degree in the biomedical sciences and demonstrate a current or recently active extramurally funded research program that complements existing strengths at MUSC, a strong track record in scholarly publications, an entrepreneurial spirit and expertise, strategic planning experience, and success in research program-building. The ideal candidate will also possess a deep knowledge of diverse funding sources, an appreciation for biomedical science from foundational science through translational research, an ability to design innovative solutions to support research endeavors across disciplines and approaches, strong administrative leadership experience to bolster critical infrastructure and enhance research capacity, an exceptional ability to advance an organization’s research mission, and evidence of fostering internal and external collaborative partnerships.
The VPR will promote collaborative-based science and advance the University's vital basic, clinical, translational, and population health research programs. The incoming VPR will collaborate with faculty, staff, and students. The new VPR will provide vision and direction for the University's growing research and discovery programs, advance the University's standing as an innovation leader, and implement effective strategies to support translational research and discoveries. They will advocate and champion research goals within the OneMUSC strategic plan. The VPR will oversee the Office of Research and its component offices: Research Development, Research Integrity, Research and Sponsored Programs, and several Research Cores. In addition, the VPR builds strong relationships and interactions among universities in the state, including Clemson University and the University of South Carolina, and with industry partners.

Entity

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Faculty

Cost Center

CC001176 EVPAA Operations

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Grade

University-00

Pay Range

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

Key Relationships

The VPR reports directly to the Provost and work closely with the President, Chief Innovation Officer, College Deans, and others across the enterprise. Representing and advocating for MUSC’s research mission, the VPR serves on the President's Council, Provost's Council, and the board of directors for the Zucker Institute for Innovation Commercialization.

Goals and Objectives

The new VPR will be tasked with the following initial goals and objectives:

• Promote and Elevate Research and Innovation: In concert with the Provost and College Deans, the VPR will be expected to develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan for research that advances the enterprise in alignment with the new OneMUSC strategic plan currently in development. This will involve diversifying the research portfolio, envisioning faculty incentives, and supporting research, discovery, and innovation, both within the University and with external partners. The VPR will help define and design the future of five planned Academic Institutes: Neuroscience, Cancer, Heart and Vascular, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases, and Precision Medicine, which will innovatively integrate biomedical research with impactful clinical care.
• Advance Strong Partnerships Across the Enterprise: It will be critical for the new VPR to build and enhance strong partnerships across the enterprise, thinking and acting both horizontally and vertically. The VPR will collaborate closely with the College Deans to meet the research goals for their colleges, integrate these goals with the University’s overall goals, and align with MUSC Health’s growth plans. Additional key partners are the directors of the University's centers and institutes, the associate deans for research in the colleges, and key members of the advancement and external affairs staff. The College of Medicine constitutes most of the extramural funding for the University, while the other colleges also possess key research strengths. The VPR is expected to foster and build relationships with the College of Graduate Studies to recruit the most qualified students to provide outstanding education and experiences for future scientists and health care providers. The VPR will leverage strengths across colleges to identify, foster, and promote team-based science, expand program project grant funding, and better address significant health issues facing South Carolinians. The VPR monitors funding trends across MUSC and its colleges to identify strengths, weaknesses, and potential opportunities. The VPR will create and maintain close collaborations with leaders from MUSC Health to ensure alignment of research and health care priorities, capacity for clinical trials, and continued progress towards being a model learning health system.
• Ensure a Highly Functioning Enterprise-Wide Research Infrastructure and Visible, Integrated, Proactive Office of Research: The VPR will assess the current enterprise-wide infrastructure for all aspects of conducting research, including space, cores, animal facilities, integrity and compliance, data security and management, and clinical research. The VPR will comprehensively analyze research infrastructure across the enterprise for strategic research growth. In addition, they will ensure that the Office of Research and the research support offices have appropriate resources, staffing, and organization to meet the demands of increasing all forms of faculty and student research. It is expected that input from the College Deans and faculty in enhancing research infrastructure will foster strong partnerships for future growth.

Education

An earned doctoral degree in the basic sciences, medicine, health service research, or related field from an accredited institution, along with academic credentials that merit the appointment at the professor level.

Knowledge and Experience

• Demonstrates a record of administrative achievement that provides compelling evidence of a capacity to lead the University's research enterprise and to collaborate effectively with staff, faculty, College Deans, the Provost, the President, and other members of the leadership team
• Possesses knowledge of a broad range of funding sources and national policies and priorities in research funding
• Demonstrates the ability to serve as a public advocate for the research enterprise of the University at the local, state, and national level
• Possesses experience with divisional, departmental, college, or similarly complex budgets
• Illustrates a strong track record of sustainable research growth across the range of biomedical endeavors at a research-intensive university
• A successful research record as a principal investigator
• A current active research program is preferred but not required
• Demonstrates competence in seeking and using data to inform and drive decisions

Skills and Competencies

• Leadership: Demonstrate strategic leadership in all personal actions, vision, personal commitment, and ethical values. Build trust and influence decisions through individual style, timely goal achievement, and expertise.
• Compassion: An innate ability to understand, empathize with, and respond to others' emotions and needs, demonstrating genuine concern and kindness. Candidates should be deeply aware of the emotional dynamics in various situations and interact with individuals to foster trust, understanding, and positive engagement. This skill is essential for building meaningful relationships, promoting a harmonious work environment, and ensuring a human-centered approach to problem-solving and decision-making.
• Business Acumen: A leader who can inspire and empower others while addressing the institution's pressing needs is preferred. This candidate must possess keen business acumen, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to think innovatively to increase revenue, foster relationships, and develop strategic partnerships.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Demonstrate the ability to change plans and behaviors to meet rapidly changing or competing job demands and adapt to the evolving higher education landscape.
• Change Agent: Drive transformational change that enhances the growth and advancement of research at MUSC.
• Planning and Organizing: Establish courses of action for self and others to accomplish specific goals. Make effective and efficient use of personnel and other resources. Establish objectives, schedules, and priorities.
• Interpersonal: Develop and maintain rapport with others. Vary your approach to respond to each individual’s style. Demonstrate practical listening skills.
• Communication: Clearly and effectively communicate ideas and requests to others. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with various groups, including students, faculty, senior leaders, Board of Trustees, and employees.
• Problem Solving: Apply common sense, comprehension of all relevant factors, consensus, and anticipation of consequences in arriving at conclusions or decisions.
• Results-oriented: Exhibit persistence in bringing tasks and assignments to a conclusion. Achieve results. Take responsibility for actions and plans.
• Team Player: Fully maintain a positive team environment conducive to customer satisfaction.
• Organized and Efficient: Organize work and use time efficiently. Recommend innovative ways of working more efficiently and effectively.
• Developing Others: Recognize the developmental needs of self and others. Seek and provide ongoing candid coaching. Share knowledge and information freely. Ensure development plans are written and achieved.
• Technical Knowledge: Exhibit deep knowledge of rules and regulations governing graduate education, accreditation standards, fiscal management, computer-based student information systems, human resources, and personnel management.

Additional Job Description

Physical Requirements: (Note: The following descriptions are applicable to this section: Continuous - 6-8 hours per shift; Frequent - 2-6 hours per shift; Infrequent - 0-2 hours per shift) Ability to perform job functions in an upright position. (Frequent) Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Frequent) Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile. (Frequent) Ability to work indoors. (Continuous) Ability to work outdoors in all weather and temperature extremes. (Infrequent) Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Infrequent) Ability to perform job functions from kneeling positions. (Infrequent) Ability to squat and perform job functions. (Infrequent) Ability to perform 'pinching' operations. (Infrequent) Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Frequent) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Frequent) Ability to reach in all directions. (Frequent) Possess good finger dexterity. (Continuous) Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous) Ability to lift and carry 15 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift objects, up to 15 lbs., from floor level to height of 36 inches, unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lower objects, up to 15 lbs., from height of 36 inches to floor level, unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to push/pull objects, up to 15 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand. (Frequent) Ability to see and recognize objects at a distance. (Frequent) Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Continuous) Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous) Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous) Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Frequent)

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

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