Job Summary

The Office of Research is seeking an Associate Vice President (AVP) of Research to lead and advance the university’s research, scholarship, and creative activity (RSCA) enterprise. Reporting to the Vice President for Research and Innovation (VPRI), the AVP serves as the President’s designee for externally sponsored research, ensuring compliance, ethical oversight, and strategic growth of SJSU’s research programs.

The AVP of Research provides strategic direction for campus-wide RSCA initiatives, fosters faculty and student engagement in research, and strengthens partnerships with external organizations, funding agencies, and industry collaborators. This leadership role oversees the Office of Research, manages institutional funds for internal grant opportunities, and serves as the Vice President and Board member of the SJSU Research Foundation.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the university’s designee for all externally sponsored research, scholarship, and creative activity approvals and compliance processes
• Oversee proposal review and approval for grants and contracts, ensuring institutional capacity and compliance
• Provide leadership for university-wide RSCA policy development and implementation, including responsible conduct of research, conflict of interest, and ethical oversight
• Supervise and guide the Senior Director of Research Services, Director of Research Engagement, and other Office of Research personnel
• Lead the RSCA Advisory Council and collaborate with deans, associate deans, and the Center for Faculty Development to promote professional development and innovation
• Partner with federal, state, and industry stakeholders to expand research funding and engagement opportunities
• Oversee SJSU Research Foundation operations and ensure efficient, compliant management of externally sponsored projects
• Develop programs that promote student participation in RSCA and integrate research as a high-impact practice in the academic experience
• Support faculty and student research through intramural grant programs, proposal development, and training

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of the research life cycle and faculty needs in a university setting and commitment to building, advancing, and supporting a world-class research enterprise
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Sophisticated, strategic leadership skills to develop, implement, and measure the outcomes of strategies and programs
• Expert skills in organizational management, systems planning, project management, and change management
• Ability to lead and manage by goals and objectives in alignment with the institutional mission, and to motivate and influence others to achieve through effective performance metric mechanisms
• Ability to review proposals for compliance and ensure all levels of proposal review have occurred prior to proposal submission. Have an interdisciplinary approach to RSCA oversight
• Ability to manage and administer RSCA policies and procedures, and appropriate RSCA training dealing with ethical and responsible conduct of research
• Skilled in bringing awareness for the need for the highest ethical perspectives and actions that are just and fair to all, and a capability to communicate effectively these principles to the campus community
• Ability to work effectively with the Research and Innovation Division Leadership Team and the Academic Affairs Leadership Team to provide effective programming to support RSCA activity at SJSU
• Knowledgeable about RSCA best practices and student engagement in RSCA as a high-impact practice
• Ability to effectively manage an office and budget
• Excellent leadership skills in supervising staff, delivering service to researchers, and leading teams through business process improvement and organizational change initiatives
• Ability to communicate effective and ethical RSCA practices to faculty, students, staff and administrators
• Strong service orientation and diplomacy skills to represent research functions and work effectively with a variety of stakeholders across the institution in all areas and levels, including investigators, researchers, administrators, and campus leadership

Required Qualifications

• Earned doctorate from an accredited institution
• 10 years of combined active research experience as principal investigator and/or oversight of research operations at a large academic/research institution
• Extensive administrative experience overseeing research operations at a university or research organization
• Experience in compliance management, requirements, norms and current issues relating to research
• Experience supporting faculty and student researchers across a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds

Preferred Qualifications

• Fiver (5) years of experience in the oversight and leadership of research operations in a large public university setting
• Experience in leadership building and strong interpersonal skills including conflict resolution
• Experience in innovation, entrepreneurship, and trends as it relates to research administration and compliance

Compensation

Classification: Administrator IV
Anticipated Hiring Range: $16,667/month - $18,465/month
CSU Salary Range: $10,106/month - $32,441/month

The final hiring salary will be commensurate with experience.

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: October 6, 2025 through October 20, 2025. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personnel
jobs@sjsu.edu
408-924-2252

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment, and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third-party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification: 

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.