Associate or Assistant Dean of Research & Scholarly Activity

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine; Lewisburg (WV); On-site; USD 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine seeks an Associate or Assistant Dean of Research & Scholarly Activity to provide strategic leadership and oversight for all facets of research and scholarly activity. The role advances a strong institutional research culture, ensures compliance, and collaborates with faculty, students, and partners to fulfill the school’s research mission.

The successful candidate will hold a terminal biomedical degree, demonstrate a robust scholarly record, and

Qualifications

• Terminal degree in biomedical or related discipline (PhD, DO, MD, PharmD, DNP, or equivalent).
• Proven record of scholarly activity with peer‑reviewed publications.
• Leadership or administrative experience in research or academic settings.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to promote a culture of research and scholarly activity.
• Lead institutional efforts to foster excellence in research.
• Promote research priorities aligned with the mission, strategic plan, and academic initiatives.
• Mentor faculty and students in research and scholarly activity.
• Collaborate with external partners to support research initiatives.

Skills

funding acquisition

academic leadership

mentoring

Education

Doctorate

Job description

Job Category: Faculty

Position Title: Associate or Assistant Dean of Research & Scholarly Activity

Unit/Division: Academic Affairs

Scheduled Hours Per Week: 37.5

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Description Summary: The Associate or Assistant Dean of Research and Scholarly Activity provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for research and scholarly activity at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM). This position supports research innovation, research compliance, faculty and student scholarly activity, and the development of a strong institutional research culture. The Associate or Assistant Dean works collaboratively with faculty, students, and institutional partners to advance WVSOM’s research mission and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and institutional requirements. The Associate or Assistant Dean of Research and Scholarly Activity reports to the Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean.

Minimum Education: Doctorate

Education and Experience: The successful candidate must hold a terminal degree in a biomedical or related discipline, such as a Ph.D., D.O., M.D., Pharm.D., D.N.P., or equivalent credential. The candidate must demonstrate an established record of scholarly activity, including peer-reviewed publications, and experience supporting research, scholarly activity, research administration, or related academic initiatives. For appointment as Associate Dean, candidates should demonstrate significant leadership experience in research, scholarly activity, research administration, or academic administration and be eligible for appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor. For appointment as Assistant Dean, candidates should demonstrate leadership potential and experience supporting research, scholarly activity, research administration, or related academic initiatives. This position requires experience working collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and external partners, as well as knowledge of research compliance, regulatory requirements, and best practices in research and scholarly activity.

Skills Required: Preferred Qualifications

• Experience securing, administering, or overseeing externally funded research programs.
• Experience working in an academic health sciences, medical education, or biomedical research environment.
• Record of mentoring faculty and/or students in research and scholarly activity.

Duties and Responsibilities

Specific Job Responsibilities

Research Leadership and Strategy

• Provide leadership and administrative oversight to promote a culture of research, scholarship, and professional development in biomedical, translational, osteopathic, and clinical research.
• Lead institutional efforts to foster excellence in research and scholarly activity.
• Promote research priorities in alignment with WVSOM’s mission, strategic plan, and academic initiatives.
• Promote faculty and student scholarly activity, including publications, presentations, research dissemination, and other scholarly products.
• Facilitate and support collaborative research activities across all departments and with external partners.
• Provide strategic leadership for institutional research development, including identifying emerging funding opportunities, mentoring faculty researchers, and supporting growth in externally funded research programs.
• Work with the Associate Vice President of Government and External Relations/Chief Communications Officer to develop and grow private and public research opportunities.
• Increase awareness of WVSOM research activities through internal and external communication efforts.
• Serve as the institution’s senior advocate for research and scholarly activity and represent research interests in institutional planning and decision-making.

Faculty, Student, and Educational Support

• Support and mentor faculty in the development, growth, dissemination, and expansion of research and scholarly activity.
• Promote, expand, track, and assess medical student research and scholarly activity opportunities and outcomes.
• Advise students regarding research resources and opportunities and support student research organizations and initiatives that promote research and scholarly engagement.
• Collaborate with academic leadership and curriculum committees to support integration of research and scholarly activity throughout the medical education program.
• Collaborate with the Statewide Campus, Center for Rural and Community Health, Graduate Programs, Graduate Medical Education, and affiliated clinical partners to support research and scholarly activities for students, interns, and residents.
• Provide opportunities for faculty and students to present and be recognized for their research and scholarly accomplishments.
• May maintain an active program of scholarship consistent with institutional needs, faculty rank, and assigned administrative responsibilities.

Research Operations and Infrastructure

• Develop and oversee research-related budgets, including the animal facility budget.
• Work with and assist faculty and the Institutional Grant Writer with the development and submission of research proposals.
• Provide facility oversight for the Smith Science Building research laboratories and animal facilities, and the Clinical and Translational Science Center, in collaboration with appropriate stakeholders.
• Oversee and approve research laboratory space assignments.
• Serve as a resource for research equipment acquisitions and equipment service contracts.
• Supervise and evaluate Research Assistants and Laboratory Animal Resource personnel as related to research support functions.
• Monitor and assess institutional research productivity and trends and provide recommendations to support continuous improvement and strategic growth.

Compliance, Research Integrity, and Safety Oversight

Provide institutional leadership for research compliance, integrity, and safety programs in collaboration with the General Counsel, Director of Research Compliance, and other institutional stakeholders. Support compliance with federal, state, and institutional requirements related to human subjects research, animal care and use, biosafety, responsible conduct of research, conflict of interest, and export controls.

Lead the development and periodic review of research-related policies and procedures, and provide guidance regarding research compliance, risk management, safety, and ethical conduct.

Collaborate with institutional committees and stakeholders to promote a culture of research integrity, safety, and compliance, support continuous improvement of research compliance programs, and oversee research-related licenses, permits, registrations, and renewals as assigned.

Work collaboratively with the Director of Research Compliance, IRB, IACUC, and Institutional Biosafety Committee, recognizing and respecting their respective regulatory authority and responsibilities.

Committees, Reporting, and Institutional Service

• Work closely with the Research Committee, serving as an ex officio member and providing guidance and administrative support.
• Prepare internal and external research-related reports and provide data as required for accreditation, assessment, and institutional reporting (e.g., COCA, AACOM, AOA, WVINBRE, WVHEPC, WVCTSI, HLC and institutional reports).
• Monitor, analyze, and report institutional research and scholarly activity outcomes, including publications, presentations, grant submissions and awards, and student scholarly accomplishments, to support accreditation, assessment, strategic planning, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Support institutional efforts to document and demonstrate compliance with accreditation standards related to research and scholarly activity.
• Prepare or oversee required external research compliance reports and assurances, including ORI, FWA, OLAW, USDA, and related annual or periodic submissions.
• Represent WVSOM on national and regional committees related to osteopathic medical research and West Virginia research collaboration, as assigned.
• Collaborate with West Virginia institutions of higher education and internal departments to support research infrastructure and STEM-focused pipeline initiatives.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Open Until Filled: Yes