The Office of the Vice Provost of Research (OVPR) supports and seeks to grow Tufts’ research enterprise. The Office provides the key services necessary to deliver exceptional results in research. The OVPR works in collaboration with leadership, faculty, staff and students to commence strategic initiatives to advance the research and scholarship enterprise at Tufts, all the while protecting the University’s interests and ensuring Tufts is in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.

The Director of Research Infrastructure Support reports to the Senior Associate Vice Provost for Research, Strategy & Operations, and serves as a centralized lead for research infrastructure planning and strategic support, working across campus to maximize scientific output and operational efficiencies within Tufts research infrastructure and core facilities. This position provides leadership and guidance on the enhancement of strategic, administrative, operational, and marketing activities of Tufts core facilities and broader research infrastructure.

Responsibilities include:

• Leads strategic planning for Tufts research infrastructure with regards to core facility and broad use instrumentation capabilities, focused on maximizing usage capacity, forecasting equipment maintenance and technology refresh needs
• Coordinates with core facility management to establish and operationalize the appropriate and necessary research infrastructure to advance the institutions research mission and to facilitate productive and sustainable research activities and external engagement
• Oversees and directs the day-to-day provision of operational and user support of centralized core facilities, ensuring optimal customer satisfaction, adherence to relevant funding agency provisions, and compliance with all relevant regulations, guidelines, policies, and standards
• Oversees installation of new equipment and maintenance/vendor relations for equipment service, negotiate service contracts, and troubleshoot/repair equipment not under service contract. Identify and decommission out of date equipment and technology
• Develops and implements policies and procedures for identifying, processing, and administering user proposals; develops comprehensive systems for capturing appropriate tracking data
• Provides guidance and useful tools for core facility short-term goals and objectives, long-range strategic plans, policies, and operating procedures; allowing leaders across Tufts to monitor and evaluate programmatic and operational effectiveness, and to facilitate changes required for improvement
• Manages core facility communications, including website, social media, client feedback and print media. Conduct tours, demonstrations, and instructional workshops
• Designs, establishes, and maintains an organizational structure and staffing to effectively accomplish the organization's goals and objectives; oversees recruitment, training, supervision, and evaluation of unit staff
• Leads and/or assists in preparation and writing of grant and budget proposals. Prepare written and oral reports to other units, and support agencies. Collaborate on relevant grant opportunities for core operating support, infrastructure expansion/sustainment and scientific instrument purchases
• Presents core services and research findings at seminars and conferences

Basic Requirements:

• Knowledge and experience as typically acquired through completion of a Doctoral degree from an accredited institution
• 5+ years of progressively responsible related research experience
• Advanced experience developing budgets that are compliant with Federal Cost Accounting principles
• Experience in business strategy and operations and in developing business models/marketing services to both internal and external customers
• Demonstrated track record of developing and maintaining collaborative working relationships among stakeholders in university, industry, government and/or the non-profit sector
• Excellent technical and interpersonal communication skills and comfortable with public speaking
• Outstanding leadership skills and the ability to build transdisciplinary teams
• Strong documentation skills to assist in writing proposals, comprehensive reports for clients and collaboration for scientific projects

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experienced technical writer
• Knowledge of website development and marketing opportunities
• Knowledge of and experience with financial auditing for research related operations/programs
• Understanding of scholarly output including maximizing funded research
• Experience working with information systems and programs
• Experienced working within a technology focused environment

Special Work Schedule Requirements:

• Expectation to work onsite is typically 2-3 days a week, with some flexibility
• Ability to travel between campuses including Boston (Health Sciences), Medford and Grafton

About Tufts University

This is Tufts. Tufts is a student-centered research university with a constellation of world-class schools encompassing undergraduate, graduate, professional, and lifelong learning programs. Across the university, students satisfy their intellectual curiosity, jump-start rewarding careers, and unlock bright, promising futures. Through rigorous academics, groundbreaking research, and a commitment to civic engagement and leadership, our community of students, faculty, and staff collaborate across four Massachusetts campuses to build a brighter world (Medford/Somerville, Grafton, Boston-Chinatown, and Boston-Fenway). Our employees light the way. Tufts develops innovative solutions for the most complex global challenges of our time through teaching, research, and an unparalleled investment in civic engagement. In administration and operations, in dining centers and in labs, every employee plays a role in our mission for a better, brighter world. At Tufts, the work you do matters. So do you. Enjoy flexible and remote opportunities, innovative benefits, and an inclusive, welcoming, collaborative culture that supports you. Develop your skills. Take classes. Advance your career. ...Do work that makes you proud in a community you love. All while taking great care of yourself and the people who matter most. We’re all in on creating an anti-racist culture of belonging. Across Tufts, we’ve deepened our commitment to making the university a truly inclusive place. Where every member of our community contributes and feels like they belong. Where diverse perspectives are seen as our strength, and great ideas are always heard. In offices, labs, classrooms, and beyond, we’re doing this work together, knowing it is the foundation of our mission to create a brighter world. An innovative university needs resourceful people who make things happen. Here, collaboration isn’t just a buzzword, colleagues actually care, and community means everything. Sound appealing? Come join us. Choose a campus and find the role that fits you. Tufts University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our faculty and staff and fostering their success when hired. Members of underrepresented groups are welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. See the University’s Non-Discrimination statement and policy here https://oeo.tufts.edu/policies-procedures/non-discrimination/. If you are an applicant with a disability who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, please contact us by calling the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) at 617-627-3298 or at oeo@tufts.edu. Applicants can learn more about requesting reasonable accommodations at https://oeo.tufts.edu/

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