Vice Dean for Research

University of Minnesota Medical School; United States; On-site; USD 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Minnesota Medical School seeks a visionary Vice Dean for Research to shape a bold, forward-looking strategy for discovery and innovation, positioning the school for sustained scientific impact within today’s evolving biomedical landscape.

Reporting to the Dean, this senior leader will oversee the Office of Research, collaborate with department chairs and center directors, advocate for research faculty, expand core resources, and cultivate support from donors and industry

Qualifications

• Nationally recognized scientific stature with a distinguished record of research and strong external funding.
• Advanced doctoral degree; eligibility for appointment at professor rank.
• Significant senior research leadership experience in a complex academic medical center or equivalent.
• Collaborative leadership style and commitment to faculty success.

Responsibilities

• Shape an ambitious, forward-looking research strategy and strengthen discovery and innovation.
• Oversee the Office of Research and align resources with organizational priorities.
• Collaborate with department chairs, center/institute directors, and senior faculty to set research priorities and recruit/retain talent.
• Advocate for research faculty and develop external partnerships with donors, foundations, and industry.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Fundraising & grant management

Mentoring & faculty development

Education

Doctoral degree (PhD)

Job description

The client is seeking an accomplished scientific leader to serve as the next Vice Dean for Research. This role is responsible for shaping an ambitious and forward-looking research strategy, strengthening the environment for discovery and innovation, and positioning the institution for sustained scientific impact in the evolving biomedical research landscape. The Vice Dean will join at a pivotal time, with the opportunity to influence the direction and priorities of a large and dynamic medical school research enterprise.

Reporting to the Dean and Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, the Vice Dean for Research serves as the senior leader for research strategy and enterprise development, overseeing the Office of Research. The role involves close collaboration with department chairs, center and institute directors, senior faculty, university research leadership, and clinical partners to establish research priorities, advise on faculty recruitment and retention, and enhance shared resources and core infrastructure. The Vice Dean will also advocate for research faculty and represent the research mission to university leadership, policymakers, donors, foundations, and industry partners, working to broaden and diversify support for scientific initiatives.

The ideal candidate will have nationally recognized scientific stature, a distinguished record of research accomplishment with strong external funding, and an advanced doctoral degree with qualifications for appointment at the rank of professor. Significant experience in senior research leadership within a complex academic medical center or comparable organization is required. Candidates should demonstrate success in building institutional research capacity, fostering interdisciplinary and team-based science, recruiting and developing research faculty, and navigating the federal biomedical research environment. A collaborative and transparent leadership style, commitment to faculty success, and dedication to scientific excellence are essential. An active research program is preferred but not required.