Job Posting Title:

Defense Research Development Director, Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors

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Hiring Department:

Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

AUSTIN, TX

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Job Details:

General Notes

The mission of the Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors (OVPR) is to foster the expansion of the scale, quality, and impact of scholarly endeavors at UT Austin. We are committed to building capacity, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and lowering the barriers and burden involved in scientific and creative inquiry through the development of an investigator-focused infrastructure that supports the needs of UT Austin's research enterprise.

UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:  

100% employer-paid basic medical coverage  

Retirement contributions

Paid vacation and sick time

Paid holidays

Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered.

Purpose

To serve as an inward and outward facing point of leadership engagement to develop and align strategic and operational coordination of Department of Defense (DOD) research efforts across multiple UT Austin colleges and schools, with a heavy emphasis on basic research (6.1). 

Responsibilities

Strategic DOD Research Development and Planning: Develop a campus-level strategy for U.S. Department of Defense-sponsored basic research (6.1) with a thorough understanding of national security needs and gaps, including how they map to UT college/school faculty and researchers. Communicate regularly with all stakeholders in the strategic planning process including colleges/schools and DOD. Remain current and knowledgeable about UT’s research capabilities, facilities and DOD engagement opportunities by regularly interfacing with principal investigators (PIs) and organizing DOD development symposia. Incorporate researchers’ feedback into high-level development strategies to ensure that their needs are met. Design and deliver content to help PIs build their skills in securing DOD-specific funding including YIP/YFA, DURIP and MURI funding. Maintain relationships with key DOD organizations including Army Futures Command, US Space Force, and others so that high-ranking visits can be coordinated across the UT campus. 

Communication and Event Planning: Work with OVPR and University Communications teams to establish a DOD research identity, including content creation for OVPR Defense RD web presence and media. Host DOD related events (including senior leadership) and work with event managers on campus so that correct parties are notified and all stakeholders are involved. Assist DOD to ensure correct protocols are followed.  Focus on research development opportunities such as program manager or DOD researcher visits. Organize periodic Texas Defense Research Workshops in Washington, DC, with support from OVPR Research Development Engagements team.

Strategic Partnerships: Establish professional relationships with DOD and partner leadership to align strategic missions and ultimately build opportunities for UT PIs to connect and perform 6.1 research for DOD. Liaise and manage partnerships with DOD Primes, local and statewide industry, FFRDCs, national laboratories and others to develop collaborative research that will benefit the mission of the university.  Work with Government Relations teams (internal and external) to develop potential strategies for DOD-related research funding, including Congressional requests. Connect researchers and help them build key relationships across the DOD ecosystem. Establish professional relationships with University-wide shared-user facilities, ARL:UT, education/outreach, tech transfer and innovation teams.

Contribute to the overall success of the OVPR Research Development team by performing other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

U.S. Citizenship is required for this role. 

PhD or equivalent research experience in a technical field with at least 5 years of relevant experience in research and development-oriented organizations, academic institutions, etc. or 5 or more years of organizational/program/project management positions

Experience developing and managing research projects for the DOD including proposals, budgets, spend plans, quad charts and related documents.

Fluent in differences between DOD and academic culture. Ability to prioritize academic requirements and capabilities. 

Experience working with Sponsored Projects Offices or equivalent on pre and post award management. 

Demonstrated ability to manage and execute numerous parallel activities in a fast-paced, dynamic team environment

Knowledge of the culture of research universities through PhD study, research, or administrative work at a US R1 institution; greater than 10 years of combined administrative leadership experience at a university, DOD, and in industry.

Self-motivated to learn and share knowledge.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated evidence of understanding and working with faculty to help navigate the DOD ecosystem’s unique challenges and requirements. Experience with funding agencies other than DOD to assist with differences between sponsor expectations.

Experience with NIST 800-171 (CUI), ITAR, DFARS compliance frameworks and/or related controls with the ability to guide researchers on challenges with work that is not considered fundamental.  Familiar with CHIPS and Science act restrictions and NSPM-33.

DURIP, MURI, YIP/YFA experience

Salary Range

$155,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

May work around standard office conditions

Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

Use of manual dexterity

Required Materials

Please mark "yes" on the application for required materials. Failure to attach all additional materials listed may affect candidates being considered for the position.

Resume/CV

3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

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.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.