Item 3.D-September 12, 2014
ADMINISTRATIVE FACULTY POSITION DESCRIPTION QUESTIONNAIRE
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marshag@unr.edu for discussion and for initial review before routing PDQ for approval signatures.
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Incumbent(s) Name (if applicable): Vacant
Position #(s): 11842
Current Title: Associate Vice President, Research
Current Range: 6
(JCC: 67106)
Department: Office of Vice President, Research and
College/Division: President’s Office
Innovation
Account #(s): 1204-121-0815
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
( ) New position: Proposed Range:
Proposed Title:
( ) Title Change, Proposed Title:
(X) Proposed Reassignment from Range 6
to Range 7
( ) Revised PDQ only (no change in range or title)
JCC (Current
( ) Line of Progression (show titles below)
or new HR
Range:
assigned):
I certify that the statements in this description are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.
____________________________________________________________
Employee’s Signature
__________________
Date
I/we have reviewed the statements in this form and they accurately reflect the job assignments.
____________________________________________________________
Immediate Supervisor’s Signature
__________________
Date
____________________________________________________________
Director/Chair/Dean
__________________
Date
Approved for Salary Placement Committee review.
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature Mridul Gautam
Date
Vice President, Research and Innovation
Action Approved by the Provost/President (Completed by Faculty HR):
67106 Range:
7
Pos #(s): 11842
JCC:
EEO: 1E
Eff:
Approved Title: Associate Vice President, Research
Employee signs on “final” stamped approved PDQ and sends to HR for personnel file.
Employee Signature:_______________________________________________ __________________
Date
Printed Name: ____________________________________________________
Rev: 10/1/2012
Position Description - Associate Vice President, Research
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1. Summary Statement: State the major function(s) of the position and its role in the
university. Attach an organizational chart with positions, ranges, and names for the division
which reflects the position in it as well as those supervised in the department. (This section is
used for advertisement of the position.)
The Associate Vice President for Research (AVPR) reports to the Vice President for Research and
Innovation (VPRI) and acts in his/her absence to oversee and manage the Research Division. The
AVPR works collaboratively with the VPRI, Assistant Vice Presidents in the Office of Vice President
for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), and the other Directors within the Research Division, with the
Associate Deans for Research in the various colleges, and with the Faculty Senate to develop and
implement a shared strategic research agenda. The AVPR participates in the development,
implementation and maintenance of institutional policies and regulations associated with research
administration.
2. List the major responsibilities, including percentage of time devoted to each. Provide
enough detail to enable a person outside the department to understand the job (percentage
first with heading and then bulleted information).
60% - Management and Coordination of Research Activities
 Manage the Office of Undergraduate Research and Interdisciplinary Research, and oversee
compliance issues that emerge relative to these functions
 Work collaboratively with the VPRI, Assistant Vice Presidents and the Directors of the
Research Division to develop, coordinate, articulate and implement the strategic plan for the
Research Division
 Work collaboratively with the VPRI to develop programs that will significantly enhance
extramural funding
 Work collaboratively with the VPRI to enhance the University’s innovation, entrepreneurship
and commercialization portfolio and implement programs to enhance innovation at UNR
 Coordinate annual performance assessment measures for all units within the Research
Division as tied to the division strategic plan
 Coordinate with the Associate Deans for Research in the various colleges to facilitate the grant
proposal process for principal investigators, including coordination with other research
services involving human subjects protocols, use of laboratory animals, and biosafety
regulations
 Work with the Directors of the Research Core Facilities; the Principal Investigator of the
Nevada IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE), the Director of the
Whittell Forest Project, other Directors of major research centers at the University, and the
Associate Deans for Research in the various colleges to promote research infra-structure and
support
 Collaborate with other research division personnel to provide appropriate training opportunities
regarding research administration for faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduate
researchers
 Ensure that the website of the Office of Research and Innovation is accurate and up-to-date
 Signature authority on proposals for funding and on grant and contract agreements and subagreements in the absence of the Director of OSPA and/or the VPRI
 Hire, manage, evaluate and carry out other personnel actions for direct reports
 Complete other projects as assigned by the VPRI
Position Description - Associate Vice President, Research
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25% - Liaison, Policy Development, Implementation, and Monitoring of Research Development
 Participate with the VPRI in the Research Council
 Serve as liaison between VPRI Divisions, the Faculty Senate, the Center for Advanced
Studies and the Associate Deans for Research in the various colleges to develop a shared
research development agenda
 Develop, implement and maintain institutional policies to be in compliance with State and
Federal laws and regulations
15% 
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Core Facility and Research Space Oversight
Coordinate with core research facilities for training requirements
Coordinate with core research facilities for service contract and equipment replacement needs
Coordinate with core research facilities for the assessment of performance measures on an
annual basis
Monitor and coordinate research space needs of faculty, departments, colleges, particularly
as it relates to the Applied Research Facility (ARF) and the Whittell Forest property, and the
UNR Innovation Center.
3. Describe the level of freedom to take action and make decisions with or without
supervision and how the results of the work performed impact the department, division and/or
the university as a whole.
Level of Freedom:
The Associate Vice President for Research operates in an independent manner making decisions with
minimal or no supervision on daily operations. The individual is responsible for keeping the VPRI
informed of decisions and any consequences anticipated from the decisions made. All direct
communications with the General Counsel for UNR will be done with express approval of the VPRI.
Impact:
The decisions and judgments, as well as the work performed by the AVPR, has a direct impact on the
Office of the VPRI and the institution as a whole. The decisions and judgments have a direct effect on
(a) maintenance and performance of core research facilities, (b) overall research infra-structure needs
and issues, (c) strategic planning for research development across the campus, and (d) the growth
and sustainability of research at the University.
4. Describe the knowledge, skills (to include cognitive requirement and verbal and written
communication), and abilities (to include task complexity, problem solving, creativity and
innovation) essential to successful performance of this job (in bullet format).
Knowledge of:
 Higher education policies and procedures with regard to research
 Policies, procedures and operations of all units within the Research Division, including major
regulations governing research administration
 Current information and trends regarding national, state, and private funding sources and
regulatory applications
 The University research mission and strategic planning initiatives related to research
development and enhancement
Skills:
 Strong leadership abilities
 Effective problem solving, decision-making, and analytical skills and encouraging collaboration
and coordination with other staff
 Outstanding negotiation skills
 Interpersonal and human relation skills
Position Description - Associate Vice President, Research
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Strategic planning, communication of strategic plans and follow-up of departmental goals and
plans
Human resources management and supervisory skills, including an ability to teach and mentor
technical staff and to achieve both timely completion of goals and client satisfaction
Organizational and time management skills
Ability to:
 Work as a team member and build consensus towards common goals within the Research
Division, across campus and in the community as they relate to the research mission
 Translate current issues and trends in research into effective policies and procedures and
strategic plans to move the Research Division forward and provide research leadership for the
campus
 Understand and interpret formalized policies, guidelines, rules, and regulations
 Maintain professional business and work ethics and standards
 Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
 Work independently and as a collaborative team member
 Manage, prioritize, and complete multiple projects/tasks in an efficient and timely manner while
maintaining focus on organizational goals
 Manage resources effectively and efficiently
 Research issues, provide solutions, and make appropriate decisions and bring concerns to
management
 Conduct risk/benefit analysis in decision-making
5. Describe the type of personal contacts encountered in performing the duties of the job.
Explain the nature and purpose of these contacts: i.e., to provide services, to resolve
problems, to negotiate.
Internal
General Counsel for UNR
Assistant Vice President for
Research Administration
Research Division Directors
Assistant VP for Research
Directors of Core Research
Facilities
Members of the Research
Council, Faculty Senate, Center
for Advanced Studies and
Associate Deans for Research
External
Directors, attorneys, and staff of
federal, state, and corporate
funding agencies
Reason for Contact
To communicate and seek advice regarding all legal issues and
resolution of non-standard agreements processed through the
Office of Sponsored Projects. All direct communications with the
General Counsel for UNR will be done with express approval of
the VPRI.
To develop, implement and maintain compliance policies and
procedure related to research
To coordinate activities/performance assessments
To collaboratively work with the Assistant VP to manage and
oversee activities of the Office of Undergraduate Research and
Interdisciplinary Programs
To supervise and assess research equipment and space needs
To facilitate assessment of research needs; develop solutions to
research concerns and issues
Reason for Contact
To negotiate terms and conditions of non-standard research
agreements processed through the Office of Sponsored Projects
Position Description - Associate Vice President, Research
Directors, staff and faculty of
other universities and non-profit
agencies/entities
Industry/business partners
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To exchange information, negotiate agreements, resolve problems
and expedite services to further institutional priorities
To advise them of opportunities to team with the University on
research projects or funding opportunities, to negotiate terms and
conditions of agreements and to expedite services to further
institutional priorities
6. Indicate the minimum qualifications which are necessary in filling this position should it
become vacant. Please keep in mind the duties/responsibilities of the position rather than the
qualifications of the incumbent.
a.
Minimum educational level, including appropriate field, if any.
Doctorate Degree from a regionally accredited institution
b.
Minimum type and amount of work experience, in addition to the above required
education necessary for a person entering this position.
Doctorate Degree and six years of experience to include teaching and/or conducting
research/scholarly work that would qualify the individual for tenure at the associate or
full professor rank in an academic department; research administration experience at
the department/program/college level; and managerial experience in a higher
education setting
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None