Chief Research Strategy Officer

Desert Research Institute; Las Vegas (NV); On-site; USD 250,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

The Desert Research Institute seeks an accomplished, entrepreneurial scientific leader to serve as its next Vice President for Research, reporting to the President and guiding a globally recognized environmental research enterprise.

Located in Las Vegas or Reno, NV, the VPR will oversee a $50 million annual sponsored portfolio, expand strategic partnerships, and elevate research impact while championing faculty excellence and innovation in collaboration with external partners.

Qualifications

• The Desert Research Institute seeks a distinguished scientific leader who combines scholarly credibility, strategic vision and foresight, and executive leadership with a demonstrated ability to advance research excellence, foster institutional growth, and build impactful partnerships.
• The successful candidate will bring a record of progressive leadership within complex research‑intensive organizations and a demonstrated ability to navigate the evolving landscape of federally sponsored research, government relations, academic partnerships, and scientific innovation.
• DRI's next Vice President for Research must be equally comfortable serving as a scientific ambassador and institutional strategist, engaging with faculty, agencies, policymakers, industry leaders, and external partners to advance the Institute's mission.

Responsibilities

• The Vice President for Research serves as the chief architect of DRI's research strategy and the principal leader of one of the nation’s most distinctive environmental research enterprises.
• In partnership with the President and external stakeholders, the VPR will advance scientific excellence, expand research capacity, and strengthen partnerships across federal, state, industry, and philanthropic sponsors.
• Provide executive oversight of DRI's research administration, compliance, computing, environmental health and safety, library, and research support functions.

Job description

The Desert Research Institute seeks an accomplished, entrepreneurial scientific leader to serve as its next Vice President for Research, reporting to the President and guiding a globally recognized environmental research enterprise.

Located in Las Vegas or Reno, NV, the VPR will oversee a $50 million annual sponsored portfolio, expand strategic partnerships, and elevate research impact while championing faculty excellence and innovation in collaboration with external partners.