Associate Vice President for Research

NMSU; Las Cruces (NM); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico State University invites applications for the Associate Vice President for Research (AVPR) in Las Cruces. This senior leadership role reports to the VP for Research and leads RCED, centers, and initiatives to strengthen research capacity, partnerships, and external funding.

The AVPR will collaborate across disciplines, manage complex programs, engage national labs and industry, and promote innovation, economic development, and the land‑grant mission.

Qualifications

• Earned doctorate or terminal degree in a relevant discipline.
• 6 years of relevant experience; equivalent education/experience may substitute.

Responsibilities

• As a member of RCED leadership, the AVPR serves as a trusted strategic partner to the Vice President for Research and collaborates with university leaders to advance a cohesive, high-performing research enterprise.
• Provides leadership and oversight for assigned research centers, institutes, consortia, and strategic initiatives; fosters partnerships among faculty, staff, national laboratories, industry, and academies.
• Helps elevate NMSU’s research enterprise, expand opportunities for researchers, leverage facilities, and position NMSU as a premier R1 land-grant university recognized for research excellence, innovation, economic impact, and service.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic partnerships

Communication skills

Relationship-building

Consensus-building

Sponsored programs management

Cross-functional collaboration

Economic development

Public/state university experience

Education

Doctorate or terminal degree in a relevant discipline

6 years of relevant experience

Job description

Department Contact: Gabriela Mora. [e-mail] [phone]

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: The Associate Vice President for Research (AVPR) is a senior leadership position within the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) at New Mexico State University (NMSU), an Rl land-grant institution. Reporting to the Vice President for Research and serving as a key member of the VPR leadership team, the AVPR provides strategic direction, operational oversight, and institutional leadership to advance NMSU’s research, innovation, and economic development mission. The AVPR plays a central role in strengthening research centers and institutes, expanding high-impact partnerships, enhancing research infrastructure, and fostering interdisciplinary and convergent research. The position is critical to positioning NMSU for success in large, complex, multi-institutional research initiatives and in strengthening engagement with national laboratories, academic institutions, and industry partners.

Position Details

PositionTitle: Associate Vice President for Research

College/Division: Research, Creativity and ED

Department: 470001-RESEARCH, CREATIVITY AND ED

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate with qualifications.

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule:

Job Duties and Responsibilities: As a member of the Research, Creativity and Economic Development (RCED) leadership team, the AVPR serves as a trusted strategic partner to the Vice President for Research and collaborates closely with the AVP for Research Administration and other university leaders to advance a cohesive, high-performing research enterprise. The AVPR provides leadership and oversight for assigned research centers, institutes, consortia, and strategic initiatives; fosters partnerships among faculty, staff, national laboratories, industry, and academic institutions; and supports efforts that strengthen research capacity, infrastructure, innovation, and external funding success. The AVPR is expected to work effectively across diverse disciplines, personalities, and areas of expertise, recognizing and supporting research excellence at all funding scales. Through collaborative leadership and strategic engagement, the AVPR helps elevate NMSU’s research enterprise, expand opportunities for researchers at all career stages, leverage and enhance research facilities and capabilities, and position NMSU as a premier R1 land-grant university recognized for research excellence, innovation, economic impact, and service.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience: Earned doctorate or terminal degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited institution and 6 years of relevant experience

Equivalent Qualifications: Related education and experience may be substituted for assessing minimum qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience in multidisciplinary research, research innovation, technology commercialization, economic development, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success leading large, complex, multidisciplinary research initiatives and managing research programs, centers, institutes, or comparable organizational units.
• Proven ability to serve as a trusted and collaborative member of a research leadership team, with strong communication, relationship-building, and consensus-building skills.
• Demonstrated success developing and sustaining strategic partnerships among universities, national laboratories, federal agencies, industry, tribal nations, and community stakeholders.
• Experience navigating complex organizational environments and aligning diverse interests to advance shared research, workforce development, and economic impact goals.
• Demonstrated ability to build high-performing teams and advance institutional priorities through collaboration, transparency, and shared decision-making.
• Experience leading, supporting, or overseeing externally funded research programs and sponsored research portfolios.
• Experience working in an R1 university, national laboratory, federal research agency, or other research-intensive organization.
• Experience working with DOE, NSF, NASA, DOD, USDA, or other major federal research sponsors.
• Demonstrated success identifying and advancing strategic opportunities that strengthen research capacity through partnerships, sponsored programs, and multi-institutional collaborations.
• Experience advancing technology commercialization, innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurship, or economic development initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience leveraging institutional strengths to develop impactful collaborations involving academic, government, laboratory, and industry partners.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing the land-grant mission through research, workforce development, outreach, community engagement, and economic impact.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.