Associate Director for Doctoral Research

Overview

Abilene Christian University is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. This position requires the employee to be a professing Christian and to be willing to support the Christian mission of ACU.

Core Responsibilities:

• Strategically develop student and faculty research in coordination with the Center for Doctoral Research and other key stakeholders.
• Facilitate the development of quality doctoral student research.
• Facilitate the development of quality Institutional Review Board (IRB) submissions
• Support quality faculty research.

Professional Development Requirements

• ACU Dallas’ Faculty Handbook outlines requirements for promotion in rank, which include scholarship, teaching, and service.
• This position includes an expectation of scholarly productivity which may include any of Boyer’s Model of scholarship

Qualifications:

A. Academic: Core Competencies

• Earned doctorate from an accredited university.
• Preferred academic training in the Social Sciences with 18 or more hours of doctoral coursework in research methods.
• Minimum of three years of experience teaching research courses at the graduate level. Preferred teaching experience at a research institution.
• Prior experience in directing completed dissertations or doctoral projects.
• Rank: Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor

B. Professional: Core Competencies

• Leadership and Mentoring Skills
  • Successful record of sustained leadership experience.
  • Proven experience of coaching doctoral research students.
  • Leadership style that engenders a positive collaborative culture, sustaining high performing and effective teams that engage with colleagues across the university.
• Strategic Leadership and Agility
  • Experience leading and successfully initiating and implementing change.
  • Significant experience at a senior level in an academic context.
  • Experience of financial planning and resource allocation within a complex and evolving organization.
  • Experienced at encouraging and supporting entrepreneurial activity.
  • Well-developed understanding of the priorities, operation, and strategy of relevant funding bodies as evidenced by a robust track record of funded research.
• Quantitative Methodological Research Expertise
  • Significant demonstrated knowledge, experience, and expertise regarding a wide range of quantitative research methodologies.
  • Demonstrated familiarity with qualitative, mixed, and other non-quantitative research methods in Social Sciences.
  • Maintains an active research agenda.
  • Evidence of quality research completed in the last ten years [e.g. publications in peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, program evaluation reports, etc.]
• Online Education Experience
  • Record of successful online instructional experience and working in a virtual team environment.
  • Computer literate in software and internet-based applications.

C. Personal:  Core Competencies

• Excellent communication skills
  • Written communication is clear and precise, demonstrating strong editing skills.  Proficient in APA style.
  • Exhibits strong presentation skills.
• Interpersonal communication is respectful, timely, and consistent with the university’s mission.
  • Demonstrates sound judgment in interactions with students and colleagues.
• Skill in priority setting and problem-solving
  • Ability to engage stakeholders to collaborate in identifying problems and appropriate solutions,
  • Willingness to seek help and/or additional training, as needed.
• Strong networking and collaborative skills
  • Experience working successfully with diverse learners and colleagues.
  • Collaborative nature, with the ability to build consensus.
• Strong organizational skills
  • Highly motivated and able to self-direct and manage work.
  • Ability to construct realistic timelines and consistently meet published deadlines.

ACU does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, disability, genetic information, national or ethnic origin in employment opportunities, in keeping with applicable state and federal law.

ACU is committed to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment and protecting the university’s financial and physical assets.  Therefore, Abilene Christian University conducts background checks on all candidates for employment in security sensitive positions.