Research Initiatives
William P. Grabe
Vice President for Research
3/24/24
Developing Research Capacity at NAU
• ABOR has directed NAU to increase RESEARCH
EXPENDATURES to 43.6 million (2020).
• Current Research Expenditures = 28-30 million
(flat for past 5 years).
• Our current designation (Carnegie
Foundation) is HIGH RESEARCH UNIVERSITY:
Formerly Doctoral 1 University.
Raising the Research Profile through
Informatics
• Developing Informatics, Cyberstructure,
Discovery, and Design infrastructure
– Recruited 1 junior faculty member
– Close to recruiting a senior faculty member to head
the program
– Near future – 1 additional informatics faculty
• Stage 2, Stage 3
– Recruit additional hires associated with the
Cyberstructure Discovery and Design Program
(including departmentally based hires)
Raising the Research Profile: Senior
Researchers
• 800K research expenditure colleagues
– Initiative approved by President’s Office
– OVPR recruiting plan – next 6 years
• First 3 year stage: 6 hires targeted
• Second 3 year stage: 6 hires targeted
• Individuals should have demonstrated track
record of external funding (past 3 years,
minimum) of 800K per year.
Start Up Expectations
• 1. Average start-up packages of $800,000.
• 2. Research lab space as needed from among existing
space.
• 3. Funds to move labs and people (primarily postdocs, research faculty, and equipment).
• 4. Expectation that many will come with tenure.
• 5. Funds for a post-doc or two.
• 6. New equipment as needed.
• 7. (Evaluation process to determine continuation as
“research-intensive” faculty designation.)
Primary Focal Areas for Recruitment
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Biology and Bio-Chemistry
SESES
Astronomy (PhD development)
Forestry
CHHS
Informatics and Computing
Program
Criminal Justice (FVI; Family
Violence Institute)
Applied Linguistics
Engineering
MGGen (Center for Microbial
Genetics and Genomics)
• MPCER (Merriam Powell Center
for Environmental Research)
• NACP (Center for Native
American Cancer Partnership)
• CAIR (Center for American Indian
Resilience)
• LCI (Landscape Conservation
Initiative)
• Ecoss (Center for Ecosystem
Science and Society)
• ISES (Institute for Sustainable
Energy Systems)
• CBI (Center for Bio-engineering
Innovation)
• ERI (Ecological Research
Institute)
Recruitment Process
• 1. Develop a simple position
announcement with:
– A. Open rank
– B. Record of prior yearly $800K
research expenditures
– C.Appropriate fit with strategic
program development
– D. Evidence that the $800K
Research Expenditures will
continue at NAU
• 2. Faculty identify interested
candidates.
• 3. Initial minimums review by
small administrative committee
(Bill Grabe, Bob Trotter, Lesley
Cephas, and Paul Jagodzinski).
• 4. Send positive review to
President for permission to
recruit.
• 5. After president approval,
contact candidate and initiate
discussion of interest and
possible recruiting package
needs. Offer to bring candidate
to NAU to begin recruiting.
• 6. If candidate is a good match
with NAU, negotiate a package.
Engage up to 4 or 5 candidates to
the negotiations stage at any
yearly cycle, and stop the yearly
cycle at 2 or 3 successful recruits.