Deputy Chief Research Officer

Deputy Chief Research Officer – San Diego, California, USA

San Diego State University (SDSU) seeks an experienced and visionary Deputy Chief Research Officer to provide strategic leadership in advancing the university’s rapidly expanding research enterprise. Reporting directly to the Vice President for Research & Innovation, the Deputy Chief Research Officer serves as the VP’s primary designee overseeing core research operations, supporting faculty and student research success, and guiding high‑impact initiatives that elevate SDSU’s national research reputation.

As a newly designated Carnegie R1 university, SDSU is experiencing unprecedented growth in research, scholarship, creative activities (RSCA), and industry partnerships. The Deputy Chief Research Officer will play a central role in sustaining this momentum, strengthening infrastructure, improving processes, developing innovative support programs, and fostering collaboration across campus and beyond.

This position is highly collaborative and cross‑functional, engaging senior administrators, deans, faculty, research staff, students, and regional partners. The incumbent must be an exceptional communicator and strategic thinker with a deep understanding of the university research ecosystem.

• Support and advance the strategic vision of SDSU’s research enterprise.
• Provide oversight of research operations, research support services, and research administration.
• Lead and evaluate faculty research support programs, including time‑based seed funding, rapid‑response initiatives, postdoctoral scholar programs, and bridge funding.
• Develop new programs, initiatives, and resources to enhance faculty and student RSCA.
• Leverage institutional data to identify RSCA infrastructure needs and propose solutions.
• Support and co‑lead strategic planning efforts to grow campus‑wide research capacity.
• Serve as a key liaison across Academic Affairs, IT, Student Affairs, Campus Diversity, Business & Financial Affairs, and other divisions.
• Co‑lead monthly meetings of the University Research Council and Deans Research Council.
• Represent DRI on major university committees related to research strategic plan implementation, space allocation, budget, IT governance, and faculty development.
• Partner with Undergraduate Research to plan and deliver the annual Student Research Scholarship and Creative Activities (RSCA) Showcase.
• Oversee administrative processes for proposing, reviewing, and reporting on SDSU Centers and Institutes.
• Create and implement plans for expanding and overseeing core research facilities.
• Identify new areas for external funding and support teams in developing competitive proposals.
• Manage independent projects, teams, and division‑level initiatives.
• Represent DRI and the Vice President at regional events, board meetings, committees, and professional gatherings.
• Build strong relationships with regional partners to advance SDSU’s research goals.

• Ph.D. or related doctoral degree.
• Associate Professor or higher with tenure.
• Minimum of 5 years of academic leadership experience, preferably in research administration.
• Academic background in a STEM discipline is preferred.

• Strong understanding of university research operations, including compliance requirements, sponsored programs, processes, and the administrative structures that support faculty and student research.
• Experience facilitating or supporting large multi‑disciplinary or multi‑institutional research projects, with the ability to coordinate across diverse teams, priorities, and academic areas.
• Knowledge of research infrastructure such as research development services, research‑focused IT systems (e.g., secure computing, data management, HPC), or core research facilities that support shared instrumentation and specialized research needs.

• Full‑time, at‑will role offering comprehensive benefits.
• Exempt under FLSA; not eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard SDSU work hours:
  Monday‑Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (may vary by operational needs).
• Work location:
  
  SDSU campus, San Diego, California.

Competitive salary…