Associate Vice President for Research
- 504016
- Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
- Staff
- Staff Full-time
- Closing at: Sep 8 2026 - 23:55 MDT
Department Contact: Gabriela Mora. gabbie76@nmsu.edu (575)646-3771
Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants
Advertising Summary: The Associate Vice President for Research (AVPR) is a senior leadership position within the
Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) at New Mexico State University (NMSU), an
Rl land-grant institution. Reporting to the Vice President for Research and serving as a key
member of the VPR leadership team, the AVPR provides strategic direction, operational
oversight, and institutional leadership to advance NMSU's research, innovation, and
economic development mission.
The AVPR plays a central role in strengthening research centers and institutes, expanding
high-impact partnerships, enhancing research infrastructure, and fostering
interdisciplinary and convergent research. The position is critical to positioning NMSU for
success in large, complex, multi-institutional research initiatives and in strengthening
engagement with national laboratories, academic institutions, and industry partners.
Position Details
Position Title: Associate Vice President for Research
College/Division: Research, Creativity and ED
Department: 470001-RESEARCH, CREATIVITY AND ED
Location: Las Cruces
Offsite Location (if applicable):
Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate with qualifications.
Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0
FLSA Status: Exempt
Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable
Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)
If Not a Standard Work Schedule:
Job Duties and Responsibilities: As a member of the Research, Creativity and Economic Development (RCED) leadership team, the AVPR serves as a trusted strategic partner to the Vice President for Research and collaborates closely with the AVP for Research Administration and other university leaders to advance a cohesive, high-performing research enterprise. The AVPR provides leadership and oversight for assigned research centers, institutes, consortia, and strategic initiatives; fosters partnerships among faculty, staff, national laboratories, industry, and academic institutions; and supports efforts that strengthen research capacity, infrastructure, innovation, and external funding success. The AVPR is expected to work effectively across diverse disciplines, personalities, and areas of expertise, recognizing and supporting research excellence at all funding scales. Through collaborative leadership and strategic engagement, the AVPR helps elevate NMSU's research enterprise, expand opportunities for researchers at all career stages, leverage and enhance research facilities and capabilities, and position NMSU as a premier R1 land-grant university recognized for research excellence, innovation, economic impact, and service.
Qualifications
Required Education and Experience:
Earned doctorate or terminal degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited institution and 6 years of relevant experience
Equivalent Qualifications:
Related education and experience may be substituted for assessing minimum qualifications
Preferred Qualifications:
Ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience in multidisciplinary research, research innovation, technology commercialization, economic development, or a related field.
Demonstrated success leading large, complex, multidisciplinary research initiatives and managing research programs, centers, institutes, or comparable organizational units.
Proven ability to serve as a trusted and collaborative member of a research leadership team, with strong communication, relationship-building, and consensus-building skills.
Demonstrated success developing and sustaining strategic partnerships among universities, national laboratories, federal agencies, industry, tribal nations, and community stakeholders.
Experience navigating complex organizational environments and aligning diverse interests to advance shared research, workforce development, and economic impact goals.
Demonstrated ability to build high-performing teams and advance institutional priorities through collaboration, transparency, and shared decision-making.
Experience leading, supporting, or overseeing externally funded research programs and sponsored research portfolios.
Experience working in an R1 university, national laboratory, federal research agency, or other research-intensive organization.
Experience working with DOE, NSF, NASA, DOD, USDA, or other major federal research sponsors.
Demonstrated success identifying and advancing strategic opportunities that strengthen research capacity through partnerships, sponsored programs, and multi-institutional collaborations.
Experience advancing technology commercialization, innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurship, or economic development initiatives.
Demonstrated experience leveraging institutional strengths to develop impactful collaborations involving academic, government, laboratory, and industry partners.
Demonstrated commitment to advancing the land-grant mission through research, workforce development, outreach, community engagement, and economic impact.
Special Certification/Licensure:
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.
Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.
Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
Recruitment Summary
We are New Mexico’s land-grant institution and a comprehensive research university dedicated to teaching, research public service and outreach at all levels. NMSU is a welcoming community of talented faculty, staff and students who are working together to make a difference. We are a NASA Space Grant College, a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), a minority-serving institution (MSI) and home to the first Honors College in New Mexico. We offer an accessible education that shapes bright futures.
NMSU provides learning opportunities to a diverse population of students and community members at four campuses, Cooperative Extension offices located in each of New Mexico’s 33 counties, 12 research and science centers, and through distance education.
NMSU Global Campus
Since 1888, NMSU has proudly embodied this tradition, building relationships that last a lifetime while serving students who want to earn their degree and grow in their field. Today, NMSU Global Campus provides flexible, career-focused online education that helps our students transform their lives – and the lives of the people they love – through over 70 degree and certificate programs, skill-building microlearning courses, and career and talent development.
NMSU Main Campus
Located in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University's 900-acre main campus is located at the crossroads of I-10 and I-25 in the Southwestern United States. As a thriving center of higher education, deeply rooted in the regional tradition, its role as a comprehensive university is recognized throughout the state.
Doña Ana Community College
Founded in 1973 in collaboration with local school districts to support occupational education, DACC is now a leading community college that provides transformative educational opportunities that meet the workforce needs of Doña Ana County. With a focus on access, innovation and excellence, DACC offers over ninety degrees and certificates, adult education, specialized workforce training, and small business assistance.
Alamogordo Campus
Established in 1958 to serve the needs of the airmen and families stationed at Holloman Air Force Base located only 10 miles west of Alamogordo, NMSUA is a community college with a long history of excellence that is supported by a caring community of hard-working students and dedicated faculty and staff. The campus is situated “on the hill” above Alamogordo and provides inspiring views of the city and the Tularosa Basin, offering the perfect venue for creative and motivated learning.
Grants Campus
NMSU Grants was established as a branch of New Mexico State University in 1968 through the cooperative efforts of New Mexico State University and Grants Municipal Schools. As a two-year branch community college, NMSU Grants serves the local communities in Cibola and McKinley counties, including the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni, as well as Tohajiilee, San Mateo, San Rafael, Cubero, the City of Grants, and the Village of Milan.
Special Instructions to Applicants
The electronic application is the *official* document that will be used to qualify applicants. Paper/email documents will not be accepted. Required documents must be attached to this application.
EEO Statement
New Mexico State University does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or other non-merit factor.
Requesting an Accommodation
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and New Mexico State University policy, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply, interview, or complete onboarding for a position with New Mexico State University, or if you cannot use the online application system, please visit our Accessibility & Accommodations page to initiate an accommodation request
