Associate Dean for Research

The School of International Service (SIS) at American University (AU) invites applications for a full-time, tenured position as the Associate Dean for Research at the rank of Associate or Full Professor beginning August 1, 2024.

The Associate Dean for Research will lead the school’s research support efforts, including directing our research development strategy; strengthening our research support architecture; increasing opportunities and incentives for research productivity; improving the visibility of SIS research; working with other SIS and AU offices to improve the efficiency of research award administration; and building relationships with potential funders.

AU welcomes applicants who have demonstrated experience with: 1) establishing and overseeing a research support strategy; 2) building research partnerships and establishing research portfolios, labs, or centers; 3) managing funding from a spectrum of foundations, government agencies, and international organizations; 4) implementing strategic approaches to research communications; 5) leading enterprise teams that integrate pre-award acquisition and post-award management, such as proposal development, budget planning, management of grants and contracts, etc…; and 6) communicating research outputs to wider audiences in academia, think tanks, policy institutes, etc… Applicants must also have a strong scholarly record, be recognized as thought leaders in a field relevant to SIS, have significant experience as a principal investigator of large research awards, and demonstrate a commitment to partnering with and supporting others in building research portfolios.

The successful candidate will be enthusiastic about working in a multidisciplinary environment that includes political scientists, international relations scholars, geographers, sociologists, anthropologists, economists, and historians. The successful candidate will also share a commitment to the university’s diversity and inclusion plan.

Applicants should hold a PhD or the highest equivalent degree in their discipline. Salary and benefits are competitive. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Queries about the search may be sent to Professor Jonathan Fox (fox@american.edu). Queries about the online application system may be sent to SIS faculty affairs coordinator Alissa Iwaniuk (aiwaniuk@american.edu) and help@interfolio.com.

American University is a private institution of higher education in the nation’s capital (Please visit www.american.edu for more information). American University’s School of International Service (SIS) is a top-ten school of international affairs
with 3,000 students, 120 full-time faculty and more than 20,000 alumni worldwide. SIS faculty produce transformational research and our prime location provides opportunities for collaboration with professionals in government, the private sector, and think tanks and other non-profits. Learn more about SIS at www.american.edu/sis.

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively “Protected Bases”) in its programs and activities.

American University is a tobacco and smoke free campus.

Hiring offers for this position are contingent on the successful completion of a background check.

Qualifications

We welcome applicants who have demonstrated experience with: 1) establishing and overseeing a research support strategy; 2) building research partnerships and establishing research portfolios, labs, or centers; 3) managing funding from a spectrum of foundations, government agencies, and international organizations; 4) implementing strategic approaches to research communications; 5) leading enterprise teams that integrate pre-award acquisition and post-award management, such as proposal development, budget planning, management of grants and contracts, etc…; and 6) communicating research outputs to wider audiences in academia, think tanks, policy institutes, etc… Applicants must also have a strong scholarly record, be recognized as thought leaders in a field relevant to SIS, have significant experience as a principal investigator of large research awards, and demonstrate a commitment to partnering with and supporting others in building research portfolios.

The successful candidate will be enthusiastic about working in a multidisciplinary environment that includes political scientists, international relations scholars, geographers, sociologists, anthropologists, economists, and historians. The successful candidate will also share a commitment to the university’s diversity and inclusion plan.

Applicants should hold a PhD or the highest equivalent degree in their discipline.

Application Instructions

Applications must be submitted electronically via the Interfolio application system. Applications should include the following:

  1. A cover letter detailing the applicant’s personal research record and their experience with research enterprise management (including engaging research funders, overseeing research budgets, building support structures for others’ research, etc.).
  2. A curriculum vitae
  3. A list of funders applicant has received as a PI/co-PI or overseen as a center/lab director.
  4. A statement describing past examples of the applicant’s contributions to diversity and inclusion in research or research management work.
  5. The names and email addresses of three references who will be asked for confidential letters of recommendation if the applicant proceeds to the next stage of evaluation. This information should be uploaded via the Interfolio system.