Associate Director of dSAIC​/Director of Applied Research and Partnerships, UMKC Office

Hiring Department

Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

The University of Missouri-Kansas City is rated R1 by the Carnegie Research Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Our research supports advances in defense, health care, public safety, technology and more aimed at a brighter and more advanced future for all. We collaborate across campus, the UM System, the region and encourage our students to participate in our research.

The Next Gen Data Science and Analytics Innovation Center (dSAIC) is a University of Missouri System-wide initiative headquartered s Center exists to accelerate innovation, grow a data-savvy workforce, and deliver applied research and technical solutions across sectors such as health, agriculture, public policy, education, smart cities, and commerce. With access to state-of-the-art infrastructure, a multidisciplinary team of researchers and professionals, and strong ties to external stakeholders, dSAIC serves as a collaborative engine for economic and technological advancement in Missouri and beyond.

The Associate Director of dSAIC / Director of Applied Research and Partnerships is a senior leader with both strategic and technical acumen, responsible for identifying external challenges and leading the design of cross-sector, data-driven solutions that align with dSAIC’s research mission. Positioned at the intersection of academia, industry, and external engagement, this role cultivates high-impact partnerships, drives proposal development, and connects real-world needs with the Center’s expertise in data science, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.

Through collaboration, innovation, and resource generation, the Director plays a key role in positioning dSAIC as Missouri’s hub for applied research and workforce development.

We invite applications from visionary leaders for this position, which plays a central role in the success and long-term sustainability of the Center. Headquartered at UMKC and serving all four University of Missouri System campuses, dSAIC is building the state’s premier hub for cutting-edge research, talent development, and industry-driven solutions in data science, analytics, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.

This role is ideal for a forward-thinking academic leader or experienced industry innovator who excels in cultivating partnerships, leading applied research initiatives, and developing sustainable resource strategies. The successful candidate may also hold a tenure-track or tenured faculty appointment within the Division of Computing, Analytics, and Mathematics (CAM) in the School of Science and Engineering (SSE) at UMKC.

• Build and lead collaborative relationships with industry, nonprofit, and government partners to identify shared priorities and co-develop impactful applied research and innovation initiatives.
• Serve as a solutions architect, leveraging technical expertise and domain knowledge to align client and partner needs with dSAIC’s capabilities—proposing tailored, implementable solutions.
• Identify and pursue various revenue streams, including corporate sponsor ships, public‑private partnerships, grants, and philanthropic contributions.
• Represent dSAIC in high-level external engagements, conferences, and strategic forums—clearly communicating research strengths, technical capabilities, and partnership opportunities to a wide range of stakeholders.

• Lead and support the development of large-scale, competitive proposals, applying technical insight and strategic positioning to strengthen dSAIC’s funding profile—particularly in data-intensive, security, and AI-focused domains.
• Facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration by connecting faculty, students, and research teams with external partners and funding aligned to real-world challenges.
• Engage academic leadership, mentors, and faculty within the CAM and SSE, helping to guide the development of the next generation of data-driven professionals.

• Design and…