Internal Recruitment for Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation

Dear Colleagues:

As previously announced, the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) seeks an accomplished and visionary leader to serve as our next Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation (SAVC-RI), replacing Professor Miroslav Krstic who is stepping down after 14 years of valuable service. Nominations and applications received by January 16 will receive full consideration.

Within ORI, the SAVC-RI provides strategic direction, leadership, and support to advance UC San Diego's research and innovation activities; helps to ensure operational excellence across research administration; and, represents ORI internally and externally. The SAVC-RI will partner with campus leaders, faculty, and external partners to advance interdisciplinary research, support faculty, and oversee Organized Research Units (ORUs).

The search is internal to UC San Diego. Eligible candidates must hold a tenured faculty appointment. The SAVC-RI will be appointed to serve at a negotiable part-time effort for a five-year term, renewable following appropriate review.

If you would like to nominate someone, including yourself, please send your nomination to vcresearch@ucsd.edu. You need not contact the nominee to ascertain their willingness to be considered. All nominees will be contacted in confidence to discuss their interest.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation (SAVC-RI)
Part time, 5-year term (renewable)

Key responsibilities of the position include strategic leadership, faculty and researcher support, research development, research administration, and external partnerships. The successful candidate will have a strong track record of research productivity, demonstrated success in fostering interdisciplinary research, and strong communication, collaboration, and management skills. Some supervisory and administrative experience is preferred.

Responsibilities of this position include:

Strategic Partnership: Contribute to the strategy to optimize ORI services to the campus, including prioritizing activities, allocating resources, connecting units, improving operational efficiency, and supporting the growth of research and innovation across campus.
Faculty Fellows and Ambassadors: Working with the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation (VCRI), the SAVC-RI will partner with and supervise Faculty Fellows and Faculty Ambassadors. Partnership with these individuals will enable them to fulfill their responsibilities with regard to National Labs and facilitate efforts around the Strategic Research Themes.
Oversight of Organized Research Units (ORUs): Acting as ORI's academic liaison with ORU and MRU Directors, the SAVC-RI will partner with the VCRI and ORU Directors to promote operational excellence and research productivity. The SAVC-RI will work with ORU and MRU Directors on issues including space, budget, ORU reviews, and other matters. The SAVC-RI will oversee the coordination of scheduled reviews of ORUs and will interact with the Office of the President to facilitate the review of campus MRUs.
Academic Research Personnel: As the "Dean" equivalent for ORUs, the SAVC-RI will review Academic Personnel files for Research and Project Scientists appointed to ORUs
Contributing to Research Development and Research Growth activities: The SAVC-RI will partner with Research Development and Research Growth teams to promote and grow UC San Diego's research portfolio. Specific areas of input will include faculty development and training and interdisciplinary research initiatives.
Internal and External Representative: The SAVC-RI will represent the VCRI in internal and external meetings, events, and other activities. The SAVC-RI will act as liaison for the VCRI with committees, such as the Academic Senate, and will work with relevant campus bodies on general approaches to research administration policies and processes as appropriate.

Skills and/or experience necessary to perform this position:

Hold a tenured faculty appointment in one of UC San Diego's academic departments.
Evidence of commitment to promoting excellence in research.
Distinguished record of research, teaching, and professional service.
Demonstrated ability to work in an environment of participatory governance.
Demonstrated leadership skills and proven ability to work collaboratively and effectively with campus senior leadership, faculty, staff, students, and the public.

Applicants should submit the following:

Curriculum Vitae
Two-page statement outlining their vision for their work as SAVC-RI and describing their experience in working toward strategic goals, leadership experience, and cross-campus, interdisciplinary experience.
Applications and nominations should be emailed to vcresearch@ucsd.edu by January 16, 2026. This is also the contact to receive further information on the position.

Interviews with candidates will be conducted in early 2026 and references will be requested at that time. The newly appointed Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation is expected to begin partnering with the VCRI and the current SAVC-RI for a transitional period in Spring 2026.

Regards,

Corinne Peek-Asa
Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation

University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093