Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors

University of Texas at Austin | Austin, Texas

The University of Texas at Austin (UT) seeks a transformative leader to serve as its next Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors (VPR). Ranked among the world’s most ambitious and expansive research enterprises, UT offers an extraordinary platform for advancing discovery and innovation. This is a defining moment for the institution, and the VPR will serve as the chief advocate for UT’s research mission, guiding its aspirations to become the highest-impact public research university in the world.

UT comprises a large and vibrant intellectual community. Many of its academic programs are ranked in the top 10 nationally, and it is proud to be one of the world's leading research universities, where students and faculty members are supported in their efforts to explore and discover in the arts, humanities and sciences — and across disciplinary boundaries. The University boasts world-class research facilities, including the fastest academic supercomputer in the United States, one of 15 Department of Defense-sponsored University Affiliated Research Centers and one of the newest fully accredited and innovative medical schools at a top-tier U.S. research university. This past year, the University's research expenditures surpassed $1 billion for the first time — a 25% increase from the previous year. This milestone underscores UT’s rapid ascent to one of the world’s leading research universities. In addition to advancing research, UT is a catalyst for economic transformation, leveraging campus programs and resources that help faculty and students launch startups and commercialize technologies that change the world.

The next VPR will inherit a thriving research enterprise and will be tasked with addressing key opportunities to accelerate the University’s momentum in research and impact. This includes reinforcing the infrastructure and systems that underpin UT’s growth in research expenditures, strengthening the University’s competitiveness for federal and state funding opportunities, expanding biomedical research capabilities in partnership with the Dell Medical School and the University’s expanding academic medical center, and leveraging the unique opportunities presented by UT’s location in one of the fastest-growing and most entrepreneurial regions in the country. The VPR’s management scope is significant, with leadership responsibilities encompassing more than 1,300 researchers and staff across both research support units and major research centers, including the Applied Research Laboratories, Energy Institute, IC² Institute, Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, and Texas Advanced Computing Center.

The VPR reports directly to the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost (EVPP) and works closely with its leadership to maximize the impact of research as part of the University's academic mission. The VPR will provide key counsel to the President and Provost on developing and supporting a world-class research culture through faculty development, recruiting, and retention, as well as the allocation of resources to support the research mission. The successful candidate will bring a distinguished record of research excellence, a deep understanding of the complexities of a major research institution, and a strong commitment to fostering a collaborative and innovative academic environment. This person will possess a strategic mindset, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the ability to inspire faculty, staff and students to achieve ambitious goals.

Confidential applications, inquiries and nominations should be submitted electronically at: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-texas-austin/vice-president-research

Andrew Lee and Vijay Saraswat are leading this search with Raul Bernal and Madeline Fitzpatrick.

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.