Associate Dean Research and Engagement

Position: Associate Dean for Research and Engagement
Position Function:

The Associate Dean for Research and Engagement in the Bagley College of Engineering is responsible for providing leadership and managing the administrative aspects of the research and engagement activities in the College. This position reports to the Dean of Engineering and is a twelve-month full-time appointment.

Salary Grade: UC

For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

For more than 100 years, the Bagley College of Engineering at Mississippi State University has been at the forefront of education, research, and service while providing an environment for personal growth and development. One of approximately 40 named engineering colleges in the nation, the Bagley College currently comprises eight academic departments offering degree programs consistently ranked in the top 100 nationwide by U.S. News and World Report.

Graduate students in 15 M.S. and 12 Ph.D. programs, as well as many undergraduate students and professional research staff, work with nearly 150 faculty members to drive cutting-edge research funded by our government and industry partners. The Bagley College was recently ranked 51st among all engineering colleges nationally in research and development expenditures by the National Science Foundation, and spending exceeded $66 million in FY24.

Another notable feature of research in the Bagley College of Engineering is the robust relationship with interdisciplinary Research Centers at Mississippi State University, including the Marvin

B. Dow Advanced Composites Institute, the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, the High Performance Computing Collaboratory, the Institute for Clean Energy Technology, and the Raspet Flight Research Laboratory. The expert professional staff and large-scale equipment at these centers provide Bagley College faculty and students a unique opportunity to engage in translational research with government and industry partners.

Anticipated Appointment Date:

January 1, 2026

Tenure Track Status:

Tenured

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The absence of specific statements of duties does not exclude those tasks from this position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

1. Provide vision and leadership for the research and the extension and engagement activities in the College.

2. Foster interest in research among the faculty, aid them in planning and implementing research programs, and coordinate research efforts among the various research groups within and external to the College.

3. Provide guidance and administrative support in preparing proposals soliciting research funding and developing contractual agreements for research projects with external sponsors.

4. Lead proposals for financial support for College research programs from external and university sources, when appropriate.

5. Grow the College's portfolio of industry partnerships and industry-sponsored research.

6. Promote and support the development of intellectual property and licensing.

7. Serve as the lead for coordinating responses for the College for economic development projects.

8. Serve as an advocate, liaison, or representative of the College to other research units at the university, as appropriate. Examples include, but are not limited to, the Office of Research and Economic Development (ORED), Associate Deans for Research Council, Research Directors Council, and the Research Centers and their Extensions.

9. Serve as the Health and Safety Coordinator for the College.

10. Coordinate the utilization of space and equipment within the College, especially related to the research programs.

11. Collaborate with the Associate Dean for Academics to enhance the research and engagement components of undergraduate and graduate education, and to develop professional development opportunities for faculty and graduate students.

12. Supervise college professional staff who support the research and engagement mission and duties above, as designated by the Dean.

13. Other duties as assigned by the Dean.

Minimum Qualifications:

Candidate should hold, or be qualified to hold, a tenured full professor faculty position in the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering and must have a strong record of sponsored research and outstanding scholarship.

Preferred Qualifications:

* Research portfolio demonstrating the applicant's ability to attract and maintain research funding from both public and private sources.

* Experience with funding sources like private foundations, state agencies, and local industries, as well as the federal government.

* Demonstrated commitment to supporting student research.

* Evidence of collaboration and collegiality.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment. No or very limited exposure to physical risk. Limited physical effort required.…