East Carolina University, home to one of the fastest-growing research enterprises in the United States, seeks a dynamic innovator to serve as its Chief Research Officer (CRO). Reporting directly to the Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, this key position is part of the Chancellor’s executive council and responsible for leading research administration, compliance, planning and development, policy and strategy for the university. The CRO will ensure continued expansion of ECU’s research portfolio by sustaining and fostering an environment that encourages boundary-spanning discovery by faculty, staff and student researchers. The CRO works collaboratively with campus leaders and faculty to drive ECU’s broad research vision.
Founded in 1907, East Carolina University is a high research activity doctoral university and the only public university in North Carolina with a dental school, a medical school, and a college of engineering and technology at the same institution. An ideal place to teach, work and learn, ECU offers more than 80 bachelor’s, 68 master’s and 13 doctoral degrees to almost 27,000 students; attracts over $85 million in extramural research dollars (FY23); and is No. 1 in North Carolina and No. 9 in the nation in online learning.
The university’s refreshed strategic plan — Future focused. Innovation driven. — reaffirms ECU’s commitment to being a national model for student success, public service and regional transformation with a commitment to advancing opportunity for all. The achievements of ECU students and its more than 5,800 faculty and staff are a testament to the importance of this mission for our campus community.In addition to its Greenville, North Carolina, campuses, ECU has an Outer Banks Campus focused on integrated coastal studies; provides dental care and additional services through community service learning centers located statewide from the mountains to the coast; and is a recognized leader in comprehensive internationalization, including a year-round study abroad program at our campus in Tuscany, Italy. ECU’sathletics programs compete in NCAA Division I.
ECU’s Chief Research Officer leads research strategy and operations for the university. In this capacity, the CRO oversees and supports an established research infrastructure in the Office of Research. The research enterprise at ECU is growing significantly, and the potential exists for a remarkable expansion of research and impact in the next decade. The Chief Research Officer is responsible for research policy and integrity, researchadministration, and contract negotiations across the University.
The Chief Research Officer provides the strategic vision for ECU’s research and creative works enterprise; has overall responsibility for research administration and policy, research integrity and compliance; is responsible for empowering innovative research and creative works by supporting ECU’s faculty, staff and students in grants and contracts development, submission and implementation; and is responsible for highlighting research achievements. The CRO also plays a central role in facilitating research opportunities with partners in industry, external institutions and federal and state government agencies. The CRO will oversee a leadership team of five individuals and a total of 48 employees across the research enterprise.
This is a full-time position that will be performed on-site in North Carolina. The salary is commensurate with experience, and there is a generous benefits package.
For best consideration, please send all nominations and applications (cover letter and resume) to:
Jim Sirianni, Managing Director
Amanda Bennett, Senior Associate
Storbeck Search
[email protected]
Additionally, applicants should visit https://ecu.peopleadmin.com/postings/71045 to complete a brief candidate profile in East Carolina University’s talent management system.