Associate Dean Research Administration & Associate Director for Programs

Associate Dean for Research Administration and Associate Director for Sponsored Programs

Penn State College of Medicine invites applications for the position of Associate Dean for Research Administration and Associate Director for Sponsored Programs, which is a full-time non-tenured faculty position. The Associate Dean for Research Administration (ADRA) serves as a senior leader within the Penn State College of Medicine (PSCOM), providing strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for the institution's research enterprise. This role oversees research compliance, sponsored programs administration, operational excellence, and institutional alignment across PSCOM and the broader Penn State research ecosystem.

The ADRA acts as the Institutional Official (IO) for the Animal Care and Use Program, with oversight of the Institutional Biosafety program, and other regulated domains. The role partners closely with college and university leadership, department chairs, center directors, and external stakeholders to advance research growth, integrity, and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Research Compliance & Institutional Official Duties

• Serve as the research oversight leader, serving on various committees and regulatory bodies as required (e.g., IACUC).

• Provide assurance of compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations governing biomedical research.

• Oversee compliance operations, education, and monitoring programs supporting investigators and research staff.

• Liaise with federal agencies and accreditors regarding compliance status, reporting, and institutional communications.

• Sponsored Programs Leadership

• Lead and oversee sponsored programs administration functions, including pre-award grants administration, contracting, and post-award integrations with grant management accounting.

• Develop, refine, and implement procedures that support efficient proposal development, award negotiation, and research administration workflows.

• Strengthen infrastructure for grant support, compliance review, financial stewardship, and reporting.

• Partner with department and central offices to support research growth, improve faculty experience, and enhance service delivery.

• Strategic Leadership Across the College of Medicine

• Advise the Vice Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, Dean's Office, and other senior leaders on strategy, risks, opportunities, and operational improvements related to research administration and federal funding practices.

• Lead initiatives that advance PSCOM's research strategic plan, infrastructure growth, and institutional priorities.

• Collaborate with center and institute leadership to support complex research programs, strategic proposals, and interdisciplinary initiatives.

• Drive process improvement, technology adoption, and analytics that enhance transparency, quality, and decision-making in the research enterprise.

• Penn State Enterprise-Level Engagement

• Represent PSCOM within Penn State's broader research administration community, ensuring alignment of policy, compliance, systems, and strategic initiatives across campuses.

• Contribute to university-wide committees focused on compliance, research operations, sponsored programs, and strategic planning.

• Foster strong partnerships that enable systemwide collaboration, standardization, and shared service innovation.

• Operational Excellence & Team Leadership

• Provide leadership and mentorship to research administration directors, managers, and professional staff.

• Ensure organizational structures, staffing, and professional development resources support a high-performing research administrative ecosystem.

• Develop and manage budgets for research administration units, ensuring efficient stewardship of institutional resources.

• Work closely with other Associate Deans to advance a culture of service, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Required

• Terminal degree (PhD, MD, JD) in a related field (e.g., research administration, business, public health, biomedical sciences) or equivalent experience.

• 7 + years of leadership experience in research administration, compliance oversight, and/or sponsored programs at an academic medical center or research-intensive institution.

• Demonstrated knowledge of federal regulations governing human subjects, animal research, biosafety, and financial stewardship.

• Proven ability to lead complex teams, manage institutional risk, and drive strategic initiatives.

Preferred

• Advanced certification (e.g., CRA, CPRA, CIP).

• Experience serving as or supporting an Institutional Official.

• Deep familiarity with academic health center research environments and clinical research operations.

• Experience implementing enterprise-level administrative systems or research management technologies.

Background Checks/Clearances

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both…