Associate Dean for Research

The Doisy College of Health Sciences (DCHS) at Saint Louis University (SLU) seeks a collaborative academic leader and funded investigator to serve as Associate Dean for Research (ADR). The oldest university west of the Mississippi River and the second-oldest Jesuit university in the nation, SLU is a private urban research university offering undergraduate and graduate programs to 13,000 students. Founded in 1818, SLU has seen growth in academic programs, research activity, campus life, donor support, and student outcomes. Steeped in a 500-year Jesuit tradition of spirituality, pedagogy, and intellectual inquiry, SLU values academic excellence, life-changing research, compassionate healthcare, and a strong commitment to faith and service.

One of 12 colleges and schools within SLU, DCHS offers high-quality, high-demand programs that prepare graduates to succeed in the competitive healthcare sector. The college’s 75 full-time faculty and 26 staff are housed in the Dean’s Office and five academic departments -- Clinical Health Sciences (CHS – including programs in health information management, health sciences, medical sciences, magnetic resonance imaging, medical laboratory science, nuclear medicine technology, physician assistant, and radiation therapy), Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS), Nutrition & Dietetics (ND), Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy (OSOT), and Physical Therapy & Athletic Training (PTAT). The college offers 12 undergraduate and six graduate degree programs as well as several post-baccalaureate certificate programs, and enrolls more than 1,200 undergraduate and more than 490 graduate students. DCHS maintains 11 professional accreditations for its academic programs. Growth in research has been a high priority, and the number of current grants has increased each year in the last four fiscal years. In FY23, extramural research awards total more than $1.5 million. DCHS is located in the heart of St. Louis in SLU's Medical Center on south campus, which is also home to SLU’s School of Medicine, College for Public Health and Social Justice, and Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing. In addition, faculty and students take advantage of relationships with SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and SSM St. Mary’s Hospital,  recognized as one of the top 100 IBM Watson Health Hospitals; SSM Cardinal Glennon Health Children’s Hospital, and the St. Louis VA.

This is an extraordinary opportunity to promote research growth, build partnerships, and harness the intellectual currency of an ambitious College led by a dynamic new dean within a university committed to becoming a preeminent Jesuit Carnegie R1 research institution. Reporting to the Dean, the ADR will be expected to build bridges and connections within SLU and across the healthcare ecosystem to promote a robust research agenda for the College. The ADR will drive strategic initiatives and tactical projects and programs to further the research function of DCHS. The ADR will partner closely with the SLU Vice President for Research (VPR) to enhance SLU’s research as gauged by extramural funding, quality of publications, and recruitment and retention of high-caliber investigators.

The ideal candidate for ADR would understand the intrinsic and network value of tenure track and on-tenure track faculty and be committed to supporting and celebrating their various research contributions. The ADR should demonstrate a successful track record of funding from federal agencies and creating thriving conditions for multi-investigator research teams. A strong candidate will demonstrate a plan for building DCHS’s research infrastructure and positioning DCHS to compete for extramural research, training and center grants. The ADR will have outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, demonstrated experience collaborating with others, and the ability to work effectively with a broad range of constituents. The ADR will have strong mentorship skills and a passion for enabling the success of faculty and students. In addition, the ADR must be an advocate for DCHS and demonstrate a deep resonance with SLU’s mission, values and commitment to service. An earned doctorate (Ph.D/Ed.D) from an accredited institution in a related field with credentials warranting tenure at the rank of Associate or Full Professor within one of the departments in DCHS is required.

Screening will begin in May and continue until an appointment is made. Applications (including CV, a cover letter addressing interest, leadership philosophy, and commitment to diversity; and the names of five references should be submitted using DSG’s candidate portal. Nominations and inquiries should be directed electronically to [email protected].

Kim M. Morrisson, Ph.D., Managing Director
Andrew Wheeler, Managing Director
Nancy Helfman, Vice President & Senior Associate
The Diversified Search Group
One Commerce Square, 2005 Market Street, Suite 3300, Philadelphia PA   19103

Saint Louis University is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer committed to providing fair treatment of all in the SLU community on the basis of merit.

For more information, visit www.slu.edu/doisy  

Compensation: The final salary will be competitive and based on the selected candidate’s experience and will include base faculty salary plus administrative stipend. The range will start at $210,000 for base salary. SLU provides a comprehensive Employee Benefits package, including Medical, Dental and Vision benefits, annuity and retirement plans, long-term disability, and Tuition Remission for employees, spouse and children.