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Associate Director for Research

Employer
University of Kansas
Location
Lawrence, Kansas (US)
Salary
Commensurate with Experience
Closing date
Dec 6, 2019

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Associate Director for Research

Kansas Geological Survey

The Kansas Geological Survey at the University of Kansas is seeking an Associate Director for Research

 

The Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) seeks an Associate Director for Research (ADR) to provide strategic research leadership that supports the KGS mission. The ADR will report to the Director and work collectively with a team of senior- rank academic staff with the primary goal of promoting and advancing research efforts/programs consistent with the KGS mission. The ADR will be responsible for approximately 14 KGS Assistant- and Associate-rank academic and scientific research staff and their research programs. The ADR is expected to align the strengths of current KGS research programs and early career scientists with research trends and new innovative research opportunities. The ADR will convey research visions and opportunities through regular collaborative interactions with research staff both individually and in groups as appropriate. The ADR must promote individual research accomplishments consistent with University expectations of rank-equivalent faculty while nurturing a collaborative and supportive environment. It will be essential that the ADR work with all research staff to seek new and innovative funding opportunities. The ADR also will be expected to lead an externally funded, active research program in an area relevant to the KGS mission and Kansas. The KGS is a research and service division of the University of Kansas, and the successful candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with KU faculty and students in other departments and research groups.

                 

In a continuing effort to enrich its academic environment and provide equal educational and employment opportunities, the university actively encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups in higher education.

Kansas Geological Survey profile

A research and service division of the University of Kansas, the Kansas Geological Survey studies the geology of Kansas, develops new techniques for exploring and analyzing geologic data, and produces and disseminates maps, reports, and scientific papers. The KGS, created in 1889, has an annual state budget of approximately $6 million and employs more than 90 scientific researchers and technical support staff, and approximately 35 students, engaged in a variety of disciplines, including geophysics,energy resources, geohydrology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, petroleum geology, Quaternary geology, geoarchaeology, GIS and computer science, and public outreach. In addition to core and data repositories at its headquarters in Lawrence, the KGS operates a well-sample library in Wichita that is a repository for rock samples from oil and gas wells drilled in the state.

The KGS is organized into four research areas—energy research, geohydrology, geophysical exploration, and stratigraphic research—and several service sections. KGS researchers have available a variety of tools, equipment, and labs for the applied geosciences, including a state-of-the-art shallow seismic-reflection system, ground- penetrating radar, a direct-push unit, three drill rigs, well- logging unit, a distributed temperature sensing system, and electromagnetometers, as well as a core storage facility, the W. Lynn Watney Core Laboratory, a petrophysical core analysis lab, a soil and sediment laboratory, and an analytical chemistry lab. Technical support includes editing, publishing, and cartographic services and full-service support for a diverse array of computing platforms and software, GIS, and web applications. The KGS also houses and operates the Kansas Data Access and Support Center, an important source of state geospatial data. Further information about KGS resources and activities.

KGS scientists are internationally recognized for their work in the applied geosciences. The KGS has a long history of internationally recognized excellence in research, which continues to the present, with staff being honored with awards, distinguished lectures, society fellowships and leadership positions, and acclaimed publications.

 

                 

 

About the University

Founded in 1865, KU is a major public research and teaching institution of 28,500 students and 2,600 faculty on five campuses (Lawrence, Kansas City, Overland Park, Wichita, and Salina). It is a center for learning, scholarship and creative endeavor. Its diverse elements are united by their mission to educate leaders, build healthy communities, and make discoveries that change the world. Since 1909, KU is the only university in Kansas to hold membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), a select group of 62 public and private research universities that represent excellence in graduate and professional education and the highest achievements in research internationally. KU’s faculty and students are supported and strengthened by endowment assets of more than $1.44 billion. KU has more than 60 interdisciplinary research centers and institutes bringing faculty and students together to pursue research, teaching, and community outreach on a broad range of topics. The work they do is aligned with local, national, and global needs and provides direct benefit to individuals, groups, and the public good.

For additional information about the wide-ranging research portfolio at KU, See Office of Research. Additionally, the KU Medical Center is home to a National Cancer Institute-designated KU Cancer Center. There are only 70 such Cancer Centers, distributed over 36 states.

About Lawrence

A city of approximately 95,000, Lawrence is located on a rolling landscape 35 miles west of the major metropolitan area of Kansas City and 20 miles east of Topeka, the state capital. Home to Haskell Indian Nations University as well as KU, Lawrence offers the cultural and athletic events of a university setting. For more information about Lawrence, visit Unmistakably Lawrence, and Lawrence Public Schools.

Responsibilities

70% Mentoring, Research Planning, and Service

  • Mentor early-career KGS academic and researchstaff.
  • Identify research trends and new innovative research opportunities that align with KGS strengths and needs forKansas.
  • Work with research staff to seek external opportunities and developproposals.
  • Conduct annual performance reviews of Assistant-and Associate-rank KGS academic and research staff as designated by theDirector.
  • Advise the Director on research-related matters research directions for theKGS.
  • Review all project proposals authored/developed by those who report directly to the ADR beforecirculation outsideKGS.
  • Oversee internal technical review of manuscripts authored by KGS researchers in advance ofsubmission.
  • Represent the KGS as assigned by theDirector.
  • Active engagement with professionalscientific organizations as judged appropriate by theDirector

30% Research

  • Conduct and publish the results of fundamental and applied research of national and international stature with relevance to Kansas ingeohydrology, geophysics, petroleum geology, Quaternary geology, sedimentology, or stratigraphy.
  • Communicate the results of research inpeer-reviewed scientific publications and in presentations to both scientific and the generalpublic.
  • Develop successful research proposals forsecuring external funding.

Qualifications will be evaluated by the content and quality of the written application materials and relevant experience. Oral communication skills will be evaluated by interviews and by reference checks.

Required Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in geosciences or closely relatedfield.
  • Demonstrated management and supervisory experience in scientific programs ororganizations.
  • Demonstrated success in geoscience research supported by a strong record of refereedpublications.
  • Demonstrated record of success in obtaining external funding through competitive and/or merit-based processes.
  • Demonstrated research experience/interests in subjects relevant toKansas.
  • Demonstrated excellence in oral and communication.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Three or more years of supervisory/management experience in scientific programs or organizations with multiple scientific staff direct reports possessinga range of technicalexpertise.
  • Experience in a research university setting,including management/supervisory experience.
  • Experience working in a public policy setting, including work with legislators, state and local government officials, industry representatives, and generalpublic.
  • Knowledge of natural resource issues related toKansas geology.
  • Demonstrated ability to explain technical topics tonon- technical audiences, particularly in a publicsetting.
  • Success in securing external funding from a diverse of sponsors.

Rank

Position rank will be Associate or Senior Scientist (Faculty- Equivalent Academic Staff), depending on experience and qualifications. Rank will be determined by research and management experience. Additional information can be found here.

Application Deadline

Review of applications will begin December 16, 2019 and remain open until filled.

Starting Date

Anticipated start date is March 2, 2020; exact starting date negotiable.

Salary, Employment Status, and Fringe Benefits Starting salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. This is a full-time, permanent position with 12-month appointment to an Academic Staff position (Faculty-equivalent at the University of Kansas, subject to annual review. The Associate Director for Research (ADR) reports to the Director of the Kansas Geological Survey at the University of Kansas. Benefits include university staff privileges; sabbatical eligibility; 22 days of vacation leave, 12 days of sick leave, and 9 holidays annually; group medical, life insurance, and retirement program options.

Application Instructions

Apply online. Complete the online faculty (academic staff) data form, and upload the following documents:

  1. Cover letter addressing the required andpreferred qualifications. Curriculum vitae (with publicationrecord). Names, addresses, telephone numbers, and emailsof three professionalreferences.

A complete application will consist of all the material in the application instructions.

Further Information

For further information about the position, or to recommend qualified candidates, contact Rolfe Mandel or 785-864-2171.

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