The Office of the Vice President for Research at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is seeking a highly motivated, resourceful, and trustworthy individual to support the senior leadership team as Assistant Vice President for Research, Strategic Research Initiatives working with the Vice President for Research. The office oversees the university-wide strategic initiatives and operational functions of Carnegie Mellon's $610 million research enterprise and associated top-ranked technology transfer and startup activities, which span the university's academic colleges, research institutes and centers, and the Software Engineering Institute, a federally funded research and development center. Globally recognized for academic excellence and interdisciplinary research, this position is key to Carnegie Mellon's ambitious plans to deliver innovative and impactful solutions to the most pressing grand challenges of our time.

About Carnegie Mellon

A member of the Association of American universities (AAU), CMU is a global, research intensive private university with more than 1,500 faculty, 17,000 students, more than 117,000 alumni. In 2024, U.S. News World Report ranked CMU #21 among national universities and Times Higher Education at #24 among world universities. CMU is home to top ranked programs in AI, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, software engineering, cybersecurity, business analytics, quantitative analytics, and more. It is also one of a small number of academic institutions in the nation boasting a fully-fledged Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), the Software Engineering Institute (SEI). CMU's confluence of scholarly excellence, robust federal and industry interface, and heritage of innovation has consistently placed it among the world's most dynamic and impactful research institutions. Central to its research impact is CM's strong track record of technology transfer and industry partnerships: over the last five years, CMU faculty, students, and alumni have launched more than 400 start-ups that together have raised more than $7 billion in follow-on funding.

The University is known for its distinctive culture, which champions interdisciplinary inquiry and collaborative efforts in a technology rich environment. With more than a dozen degree-granting locations, as well as a growing number of research partnerships around the world, CMU is truly a global institution. CMU's global footprint fosters cooperation across borders, including from its campuses in Silicon Valley, Qatar, and Rwanda. CMU faculty are known for inspiring students to think creatively, interpret with insight, and solve major societal, scientific, and technological challenges. Current and former faculty and alumni include 20 Nobel Laureates, 79 members of the National Academies, 12 Turing Awardees, 10 Academy Award winners, 116 Emmy Award winners, and 44 Tony Award winners. Exceptionally talented students, roughly 47% undergraduate and 53% graduate, are drawn to the University's commitment to innovative education and training and its outstanding programs across its seven schools and colleges. CMU's annual budget is over $1.2 billion with total research expenditures of over $610 million (FY2023).

After a storied history dating to the early 1900s, in 1967, the Carnegie Institute of Technology merged with the Mellon Institute, a science research center founded by the Mellon family of Pittsburgh, to become known as Carnegie Mellon University. Today, CMU is a dynamic institution that has exceptional impact in the world. Although it is among the youngest of the nation's top universities, CMU's extraordinary success emanates from its deeply held core values and a unique heritage of innovation. It is a place of creativity, pragmatism, and ambition, with a tradition of strategically focusing its efforts and resources in areas where it can lead, then pursuing those areas with startling intensity. CMU is firmly committed to academic freedom, tenure protection, and shared governance, providing a fertile environment for faculty success. The University facilitates collaboration across its seven schools and colleges through organizational mechanisms and incentives, such as numerous joint appointments and a dedication to recognizing contributions outside one's main field. CMU has long embraced diversity as a core value that is central and indivisible from the pursuit of intellectual and artistic excellence, and for more than two decades it has made increasing diversity in every constituency and building a supportive and nurturing community a strategic priority.

Research at Carnegie Mellon

Carnegie Mellon is known as a hotbed of innovative research, from the founding of the nation's first Robotics Institute in 1979, to the world's first program in engineering and public policy more than 50 years ago. The entrepreneurial mindset of its faculty, staff, and leadership have made the University a pioneer in societally transformative technologies such as the wireless campus, autonomous transportation and smart infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing, among others. Research and creative expression span the arts, humanities, social sciences, science, and engineering as well as the fundamental to the applied, from blue-sky curiosity driven research in the academic units, to large-scale applied research and prototyping at the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC), to support for mission-driven agencies at the SEI.

CMU's strengths span the institution:

• CMU researchers have enriched learning science through research conducted at the LearnLab, a cross-disciplinary international laboratory for advancing the practical science of robust student learning. CMU scholars are pinpointing how children learn languages with partners at the University of Chicago and the George Washington University.
• CMU chemists are working with colleagues at Yale University as part of the landmark National Institutes of Health-funded Somatic Cell Gene Editing Consortium, aimed at accelerating genome editing research and the development of new classes of therapeutics.
• CMU is bringing together AI and social sciences researchers from across the country in the AI Institute for Societal Decision Making to develop human-centric AI for societal good that harnesses the power of data and improved understanding of decisions to create better and more trusted choices.
• Experts at the Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation, a university-wide research initiative, develop and demonstrate technologies, systems and policies needed to accelerate the transition toward a more sustainable future.
• CMU's SEI formed the AI Security Incident Response Team to help ensure the safe and effective development and use of AI by analyzing and responding to threats and surety incidents emerging from advances in AI and machine learning.
  

CMU's unique strengths in robotics, AI, and advanced materials are a growing and major attraction for industry partners. Coupled with the efforts of CMU's Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship, the University is a leader in introducing research innovations into the global marketplace and a driving force of economic development activity.

CMU researchers distinguish themselves with an international reputation for the breadth of their work as well as research support, consistently receiving funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Departments of Defense, Commerce, Energy, Transportation, among others. Of CMU's $610M million in expenditures in FY2023, 70% of funding was derived from the federal government, with the majority being from the NSF and DOD. The University has diversified its funding portfolio over time, with FY2023 being a record year for industry and non-profit funding at $68 million.

The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)

The OVPR is a large and complex organization with a total staff of approximately eighty-five talented individuals that directly aids the administration and upkeep of CMU' s more than 100 research centers and institutes across campus.

The OVPR bridges academic units, interfacing with the Deans and Associate Deans for Research of CMU's colleges and schools on major initiatives and to foster dialogue and collaboration around research efforts both within and across units. Government Relations, which resides in the OVPR, leverages its long-standing presence in Washington, D.C. to bring new funding opportunities to CMU's talented faculty. And University Advancement forms a key partnership with the VPR around long-term industry and foundation engagement, including opportunities for major gifts.

The Office oversees the SEI, which has a budget of nearly $150 million annually, and whose director reports to the VPR. Through the OVPR, the considerable capabilities and funding of the SEI are brought into constellation with faculty within colleges and departments across CMU. The Office is keenly attuned to the security implications of controlled and classified research in an environment of international collaborations, and the VPR aids the University in determining the balance between the protection of IP, national security, and economic competitiveness.

Finally, the OVPR fosters an entrepreneurial climate that gives faculty and students tremendous freedom and strongly encourages the pursuit of bold ideas that translate into real-world impact. Thanks to the efforts and investments of CMU, the University of Pittsburgh, and other entities, the Pittsburgh Region has renewed and established itself as a technology hub for both startups and large corporations, including Duo Lingo, ANSYS, Bosch, Google, Meta, Apple, NVIDIA, SAP, and the Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory. Through the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship and the Center for Business Engagement, the OVPR drives economic prosperity in the region, nationally, and globally.

Given the scale and influence of the CMU research enterprise, the University has been building and improving research capabilities of the University, including expanding external relationships with government and industry funding entities, increased collaboration across the research capabilities across the University, and managing the complexities of research at this level. The OVPR seeks an AVP of Research, Strategic Research Initiatives, to provide support and leadership on the organization's many priorities.

Scope and Responsibilities

The AVP of Research, Strategic Research Initiatives will play a central role in ensuring that CMU's research and innovation organizational strategy and priorities are clearly defined and effectively implemented. This individual will be a principal aide, analyst, and Chief of Staff to the Vice President for Research, serving as a key liaison with diverse internal and external constituencies and assisting in providing leadership and direction for institutional initiatives, special projects, time or critically sensitive decisions, internal communications, and policy development. They will help the Vice President and the senior leadership team of the office succeed as they work with the CMU community on strategic priorities and initiatives by planning for and keeping key projects on track, monitoring and evaluating progress, offering trusted counsel and feedback, and aligning and coordinating resources. They will be critical to ensuring that various groups and stakeholders are aligned and working in concert to achieve shared goals and objectives. This individual will also contribute to the strategic planning and execution of research translation and commercialization initiatives to drive impact. This requires an individual that possesses a deep understanding of today's complex academic research and innovation environment, exceptional organizational, problem solving and people skills, and great flexibility and patience. The AVP of Research, Strategic Research Initiatives reports directly to the Vice President and is a member of the office's senior leadership team.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Provides support and counsel to the Vice President and senior leaders on matters of strategic, operational, and tactical importance. Keeps the group apprised of emerging issues.
• Provides high-level analysis on a broad range of complex research opportunities and issues, makes recommendations for action or resolution.
• Facilitates effective and efficient decision-making processes by gathering data, assembling appropriate stakeholders, and formulating recommendations.
• Supports the Vice President in managing relationships with internal and external constituencies and balancing commitments to the greatest strategic effect.
• Provides project management on special initiatives that are viewed as being critical to the organization by the Vice President. Coordinates activities and project meetings, and reports on progress.
• Ensures that team members and stakeholders are aligned and working in concert to achieve the shared objectives.
• Researches and prepares emails, reports, briefings, presentations, remarks, responses on institutional and strategic issues, and/or engages others to do so.
• Drives strategic initiatives forward in alignment with the vision and mission of the organization, while prioritizing critical research objectives and gaining consensus.
• Interacts with constituents from across the campus and outside of the university to make certain that office initiatives and actions are aligned and synergistic with the strategic plan.
• Provides support for the Vice President to the Board of Trustees, University Research Council, other advisory boards and committees.
• Represents the Vice President and other senior leaders with diverse constituencies inside and outside of the university, as appropriate. Includes attending events, committees, or boards, and presenting information.
• Assesses inquires directed to the Vice President, determines the proper course of action, and delegates to the appropriate individual to manage the response.
• Develops and reviews items for the Vice President's signature, including verifying facts and policy compliance, evaluating problems, presenting alternative options, and preparing responses.
• Carries out projects that are highly sensitive and confidential in nature.
• Completes other duties as assigned, which may include simple tasks such as maintaining electronic records, organizing calendars, or making phone calls.

Flexibility, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. Inclusion, collaboration and cultural sensitivity are valued competencies at CMU. Therefore, we are in search of a team member who is able to effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Education: Bachelor's degree required; Ph.D. or other terminal degree in discipline of relevance to Carnegie Mellon's research and innovation portfolio preferred.
• Experience: A minimum of 8 years of experience supporting technical management is required. Experience with federal, state, and industry strategy and policy engagement, working in a higher education environment preferred.
  • A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.
  • Understanding of research administration, technology transfer, intellectual property management, and commercialization strategies.
    
• Exceptional communication skills, interpersonal skills, diplomacy and the ability to effectively interact and build trusted relationships with diverse internal and external constituencies. Must have exceptional writing skills.
• High administrative and analytical skills, able to see patterns, be a fast thinker, and make decisions with attention to accuracy, detail and local context.
• Skilled supervisor and coach, able to motivate or inspire both junior and senior staff.
• Proven ability to effectively organize, prioritize and perform multiple job functions and conflicting priorities, meet deadlines with short turn-around times, and manage changing situations.
• Experienced in researching and preparing executive level documents, reports, presentations, and remarks.
• Strong problem solving and conflict resolution skills to manage complex tasks and/or those that require balancing competing interests.
• Ability to handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality with discretion and good judgement.
• Fast learner, result driven, accepts and acts on all forms of feedback to effect change.
• Demonstrate patience, reliability, composure and stability under pressure.
• Adaptable and open to change as the office and university evolves.
• Work Posture: With the importance of stakeholder relationships, the role is primarily in person on campus with some remote/ hybrid flexibility.
• Sponsorship: Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for CMU in the United States. CMU will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity.
• Security Clearance: A security clearance or ability to obtain a security clearance is preferred.
• Travel Requirements: This position may require travel both domestically and internationally.
• Successful candidate is required to complete a background check.

NOMINATION AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Carnegie Mellon University has retained DHR Global for assistance in this exciting search.

• All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited.
• Applications should include a cover letter/letter of interest, CV or resume.
• Application materials should be submitted using CMU's career page by clicking "Apply"
• Nominations and inquiries can be directed to DHR Global.

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits available to eligible employees.

Those employees who are benefits eligible have the opportunity to experience the full spectrum of advantages from comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance to an enticing retirement savings program offering a generous employer contribution. You can also unlock your potential with tuition benefits and take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays. Finally, rest easy knowing you are covered by life and accidental death and disability insurance.

Other perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and so much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits that may be awaiting you, explore our Benefits page.

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond just credentials, we consider the role and responsibilities, your invaluable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We acknowledge and appreciate your unique skills and the diverse perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it's about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!

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