Director, Research Operations and Training

Director, Research Operations and Training (DROT), as a member of the leadership team for the Office of Research and Innovation, plays a pivotal role in the university’s mission by building and managing research infrastructure and enhancing faculty and professional development in research and innovation. In collaboration with the Vice President for Research (VPR), the DROT will provide oversight and administration of research infrastructure including research/innovation space allocation, management and assessment and operational oversight of research and innovation core facilities. The DROT will work closely with faculty and professional staff to provide professional development opportunities and to promote extramural funding productivity at the University. The DROT, in collaboration with the VPR and Provost, will integrate and expand workforce and professional development opportunities in research and innovation across the university. About the Office of Research and Innovation The University of New England Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) plays a vital role in promoting scholarly activities across all of UNE’s colleges, programs, and centers. Through strategic planning, investment, and a comprehensive portfolio of research support services, ORI fosters collaborations both within the University and with external partners to expand the scope and impact of UNE’s research programs while fostering an inclusive scholarly environment. As a Carnegie-classified R2 high research activity institution, UNE demonstrates remarkable strength in the biomedical sciences, including neuroscience, immunology, pharmacology, and biochemistry. The University engages medical, health professional, graduate, and undergraduate students in meaningful scholarly pursuits that enhance their educational experience while advancing our understanding of human health and disease. Faculty-led student research is a cornerstone of the UNE student experience, with 41% of UNE seniors working with faculty on research projects — almost twice the national average. ORI provides support for student experiential learning, including fellowships, travel awards, and opportunities to present and publish work. As a part of a strategic commitment to advance biomedical research, UNE has prioritized key biomedical research areas for future investment and faculty recruitment, established strategic external partnerships, and fostered student participation in research through workforce development initiatives. Ranked No. 1 in NIH funding among colleges and universities in Maine, UNE is the only higher education institution in the state with two NIH-funded Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE), including the recently established Center for Cell Signaling Research in 2024. UNE boasts 10 centers for research, scholarship, and interprofessional collaboration, as well as the recently established Portland Laboratory for Biotechnology and Health Sciences. The ORI, led by the VPR, oversees the Office of Sponsored Programs, the Office of Research Integrity, the Office of Research Animal Care and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. These units provide administrative support services to faculty, professional staff and students to enable pursuit of extramural funding, provide intellectual property and technology transfer expertise, and to ensure the highest ethical standards and regulatory compliance in UNE’s research, scholarship and innovation activities. About the University of New England UNE is Maine’s largest private university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study-abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible online offerings. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to positively impact a world full of challenges. We are the state’s top provider of health professionals and home to Maine’s only medical and dental colleges, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care programs, and nationally recognized programs in the marine sciences, the natural and social sciences, business, the humanities, and the arts. Benefits Overview Multiple health and dental plan options, plus vision coverage. Up to 8% retirement plan match. Generous leave time, including vacation, sick, and personal time, and 12+ holidays per year. Educational benefits: UNE tuition waiver for employees, spouses, and domestic partners. UNE tuition waiver for dependents of employees with 1 year of full-time service. 50% tuition reduction if less than 1 year of full-time service. For more information about our outstanding benefits, please visit: UNE Benefits Overview. Responsibilities Research Operations and Infrastructure Provide administrative oversight of research space to ensure space is well utilized and appropriately assigned to meet university’s research mission and its obligations to external funders. . Help resolve, mediate, and prevent operational problems to promote the efficient operation of all research and innovation infrastructure at UNE. Review, monitor and approve research space allocation in collaboration with the VPR. Manage, track and evaluate use of research spaces at the University to maximize resource utilization. Provide NSF mandated reporting for research space allocation and coordinate with UNE post-award team relating to NSF mandated HERD survey reporting. Provide training for faculty and professional staff on the University Space Allocation policies as part of professional development for administrators, faculty and professional staff. Maintain and update all relevant policies to meet university and external requirements. Serve as ORI liaison between various departments housed within research intensive buildings and with the Department of Facilities Management relating to research related matters. Ensure that University policies are being carried out fairly and consistently. Provide oversight and mentoring to research/innovation core and laboratory facility leaders and staff in matters relating to core operations, research and safety compliance and management. This includes the Portland Laboratory for Biotechnology and Health Sciences, COBRE associated cores and other research/innovation intensive spaces at the University. In collaboration with Director of Research Integrity and Compliance, ensure that all faculty and professional staff engaged in research/innovation activities are utilizing best operational practices and receive ongoing professional development. May assist in research compliance committee operations as needed. Help ensure and model a culture of research compliance at UNE. In collaboration with ORI Director for Budget/Operations, will serve as liaison to UNE security and HR relating to access to secured research spaces in research intensive buildings for faculty, professional staff and students (e.g. Pickus, PLBHS). This team will coordinate with HR to ensure compliance with university policies relating to access to research spaces and to track compliance with UNE training requirements. In collaboration with VPR, ORI Director for Budget/Operations, and ORI staff, provide ongoing oversight to research e-management system implementation, integration and operation including business process optimization and harmonization with Banner systems. Research Training In collaboration with ORI staff and partners, deliver faculty/staff onboarding and off-boarding assistance (research) across the university. This includes laboratory/research space intensive operations in collaboration with EHS, HR and other partners. In collaboration with ORI staff and academic Deans, support new faculty in engaging research operations at the University. Create and lead specialized support programs and training to increase engagement in research, scholarship and creative activity, regardless of discipline. Contribute to the development and delivery of RCR curriculum in relevant content areas. Help develop programming and institutional resources to support faculty grant writing and opportunities to increase scholarly output across the broad spectrum of scholarly activity at UNE. Develop and lead an early career faculty mentoring program to increase faculty productivity as measured broadly in numbers of publications and applications for financial support by an increasing percentage of targeted faculty. Elicit input, feedback, and support from UNE colleges/centers in these activities. Conduct periodic evaluations of program effectiveness. Other duties as assigned. Qualifications Master’s or Ph.D. degree in a related field and at least ten years of related research and training experience with increasing responsibility Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills demonstrated through professional presentations, reports, and stakeholder engagement. Proven ability to manage complex projects with high attention to detail and strong organizational accuracy. Minimum of 3 years’ experience developing and monitoring program budgets. Track record of effectively leading and collaborating with diverse professional teams. Demonstrated ability to assess and resolve emergency or high-pressure situations promptly and effectively. Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed to support program operations. Occasional regional, national, and international travel is also required. Demonstrated adaptability, creativity, and proactive problem-solving approach. EEO Statement Summary Consistent with federal and state law and University policy, the University of New England is committed to the fundamental concept of equal opportunity for all of the members of the University community. The University prohibits, and will not tolerate, discrimination in employment, the provision of academic services or in any other area of University life based on race, color, sex, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, ethnicity, genetic information, HIV status, or status as a veteran. Prohibited bias factors should not motivate decisions regarding students, employees, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, contractors, volunteers or participants in and/or users of institutional programs, services, and activities. COVID Vaccination Statement (PLEASE NOTE) Employees in clinical settings must meet the State of Maine’s immunization requirements for clinical activity. Additional Note This position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship.