Associate Dean for Research

Associate Dean For Research

The College of Social Work and Criminal Justice (CSWCJ) at Florida Atlantic University is seeking an established educator, scholar, and leader to join our faculty and administrative team. The Associate Dean for Research (ADR) shall be appointed by the Dean of the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice with consultation from the faculty of the college. The Associate Dean fosters academic and research excellence within the college, which encompasses two large schools, multiple programs, centers, institutes, and delivery formats. The position is a full-time, 12-month appointment that begins July 1, 2026 (with opportunity to negotiate earlier start).

The ADR works to advance the quality and integrity of the CSWCJ research agenda by providing strategic vision and developing processes and procedures to support grant procurement, awards, management and compliance processes. The ADR creates an environment that fosters interdisciplinary research and scholarship productivity and provides consultation and technical assistance to faculty, staff, students, and partners in the development of research proposals to advance the college's mission. The ADR is responsible for providing overall leadership and oversight for matters related to academic excellence, performance metrics, learning assessment, and research innovation, compliance, and advancement.

Primary duties and responsibilities will be focused on, but are not limited to, the following areas :

• Enhances college-wide research strategies aligned with FAU's R1 status and goals and the strategic priorities of the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice.
• Cultivates an environment that supports high-impact, interdisciplinary, and translational research.
• Expands faculty's external funding through federal, state, foundation, and private sources.
• Provides training and professional development opportunities for faculty, staff, post docs, and graduate students in research methods, grant writing, and project management.
• Leads initiatives to recruit and retain research-active faculty.
• Oversees the collection and analysis of research and academic performance metrics to inform planning and demonstrate impact.
• Leads the development of annual research reports and contributes to accreditation and program review processes.
• Maintains and builds a wide network of professional contacts within the research community locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally to foster collaboration and participation in inter- and intra-disciplinary activities.
• Oversees research operations and works closely with college and university personnel including the Assistant Dean for Finance, Research Grant Coordinator, and Division of Research.
• Mentors tenure track faculty and tenured faculty in developing and funding sustainable programs of research.
• Coordinates college annual research symposium as well as faculty workshops and development related to research and scholarship skills.
• Facilitates new and existing academic-clinical research partnerships.
• Fosters collaborative interdisciplinary research associations.
• Oversees consultation on research design, methods, and statistics in the development of research projects and on data management and analyses for funded projects and non-funded research in collaboration with Center for Research Excellence.
• Offers recommendations to the Dean and college Executive Leadership team to advance the research enterprise of the college.
• Collaborates with school directors and program coordinators to identify, develop and implement research opportunities and support for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.
• Represents the CSWCJ on University committees, task forces, and work groups as well as to other institutions, associations, and interests.

Guided by the CSWCJ strategic plan, additional areas of leadership desired include cultivating a culture of transparency, belonging, and care; strengthening our robust focus on students' academic success (recruitment, retention, and recognition of excellence) and job readiness; and elevating our community engagement and philanthropy portfolios. We are seeking a colleague with strong leadership skills integrated with the ability to work collaboratively, create positive change through a dynamic team-building approach, and contribute to a prosperous faculty, staff, and student environment.

Florida Atlantic University serves more than 32,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses located along the southeast Florida coast. In recent years, the University has doubled its research expenditures and outpaced its peers in student achievement rates. FAU is designated an R1 : Very High Research Spending and Doctoral Production university by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

In the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice, we inspire and prepare criminal justice and social work leaders, scholars, practitioners, clinicians, and policymakers to enact positive change. Our distinguished faculty integrate theory with community-centered, evidence-based practice. In doing so, they collaborate with our staff to help develop ethical and innovative professionals who analyze, implement, and evaluate criminal justice and social welfare policies, practices, and technologies; provide direct services to populations in need; and promote wellness and well-being for individuals, families, and communities in South Florida and beyond.

Minimum qualifications for the position include a doctoral degree in Social Work, Criminology, Criminal Justice, or a related field / discipline; a distinguished record of externally funded research and scholarly achievement commensurate with the rank of Associate or Full Professor; deep understanding of research infrastructure, compliance, and funding agency requirements; experience in academic administration and / or leadership in higher education; and demonstrated experience and commitment to community-engaged research and working in and fostering a cohesive and productive faculty, staff, and student environment. Preferred qualifications include prior experience developing research centers and institutes; experience with academic assessments, students' academic outcomes, and professional program development; proven success in mentoring junior faculty and supporting multidisciplinary research teams; and knowledge of performance metrics and strategies to meet academic KPI targets. Applicants should be prepared to explain how their leadership skills, teaching and research align with FAU's strategic plan and bolster CSWCJ's Strategic Plan.