Vice President for Research & Innovation (VPRI)

Texas Tech University VPRI Ad Copy

The Leadership Opportunity :

At a moment of unprecedented opportunity in its already impressive trajectory, Texas Tech University (TTU) seeks a Vice President for Research & Innovation (VPRI) to advance impact and excellence across the breadth of the university’s research enterprise. The VPRI will harness Texas Tech’s recent momentum to foster a culture of innovation that serves and effectively engages faculty, researchers, students, and staff in pursuit of the university’s significant aspirations.

As Texas Tech’s principal research officer, the VPRI reports directly to the President and serves as a member of the President’s cabinet. Working collaboratively across the research enterprise, the VPRI is responsible for developing a dynamic strategic plan to advance the university’s top tier research status; fostering collaboration across the university and System to enhance cooperative, interdisciplinary research programs and opportunities; developing new and nurturing existing external partnerships that maximize Texas Tech’s research resources; promoting and supporting a culture that values compliance with all regulatory bodies; developing strategies for the investment of institutional resources in research; fostering a culture of safety; and managing all resources associated with the Office of Research & Innovation . The VPRI is responsible for the administration, management, and planning of the university’s policies, programs, and services within the assigned area(s). All activities are performed under the administration of the President.

The Candidate Profile :

Texas Tech University seeks an innovative, strategic, and organizationally savvy leader with substantial experience managing an operationally complex institution through change. The next Vice President for Research & Innovation will be responsible for developing a compelling vision to amplify Texas Tech’s culture of research excellence and competitive innovation. Leading through influence and collaboration, the VPRI will champion ambition and excellence, foster interdisciplinary initiatives, and generate excitement, enthusiasm, and buy-in to advance the educational and research missions of Texas Tech University.

Ideal candidates will have demonstrated experience in many of the following areas :

• A terminal degree, along with relevant leadership experience advancing research at a research-intensive university or institute, with a record of distinguished scholarship and funded research .
• Proven track record of supporting technology transfer, commercialization, and industry partnerships .
• A history of promoting research interests and collaborations across an institution or System and with external partners.
• Keen understanding of federal funding processes , advocacy, and compliance.
• A leadership style characterized by the highest personal integrity and ethics, transparency, accessibility, and openness to a team-centered environment .
• An enthusiasm for collaborating with other departments and infrastructure development with multiple siloed constituencies; demonstrated capacity to create cross-campus partnerships.
• A demonstrated ability to mentor and support staff and provide successful development of people; a track record for inspiring a diverse staff with energy and dedication to their professional advancement, as well as commitment to clarity and accountability.
• A track record of effective oversight of budgets, infrastructure, and space of commensurate complexity and scope.
• A commitment to service coupled with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Outstanding communication skills , demonstrated by the ability to interact comfortably with a wide range of diverse people.
• The ability to obtain Personnel Industrial Security Clearance by the Department of Defense is required.

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation :

The Office of Research & Innovation (OR&I) supports a culture of creativity, discovery, innovation, and collaboration, empowering Texas Tech University to become an elite national research university. According to its mission statement :

" The Office of Research & Innovation facilitates excellent research, scholarship, and creative activities for all and promotes an academic environment embracing curiosity, innovation, debate, diversity, ethics, and integrity. The Office supports responsible and safe conduct of research, faculty development and recognition, interdisciplinary collaborations, externally sponsored research, partnerships with industry and community, and translation of research discoveries for the benefit of society. "

The OR&I comprises of the Office of Research Commercialization, Office of Research Development & Communications, Strategic Research Intelligence, Office of Research Services, the Innovation Hub at Research Park, Research Facilities, Responsible Conduct of Research, Environmental Health & Safety, and Export Control & Security.

Texas Tech is home to over 70 research centers and institutes . The OR&I supports these entities by fostering meaningful partnerships and collaborations, connecting researchers with core facilities, disseminating research through various scholarly magazines and journals, and ensuring that researchers are using best safety practices and remain in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The Office supports both Centers and Institutes and individual faculty scholars in identifying external funding sources and preparing competitive proposals through its Office of Research Intelligence and Office of Research Development. The Office of Research Services assists researchers in completing externally sponsored project proposals and contracts, and is the unit responsible for submitting all proposals on behalf of Texas Tech. The Office of Research Communication coordinates the public dissemination of institutional research accomplishments, such as being named to the Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted Utility Patents List , in collaboration with Texas Tech’s Vice President for Marketing & Communications.

Texas Tech Today :

Texas Tech University unites over a century of tradition with bold ambition for the future. As a comprehensive research institution with global reach, Texas Tech is building momentum toward membership in the Association of American Universities (AAU), reflecting its commitment to advancing discovery, innovation, and societal impact. Located in Lubbock, Texas (pop. 272,086), the university is home to more than 42,000 students enrolled in over 150 undergraduate, 100 graduate, and 50 doctoral programs. Texas Tech’s distinguished faculty are recognized nationally and internationally for their teaching, research, and creative activity.

Research growth is at the heart of Texas Tech’s trajectory. The university has achieved record levels of research awards and expenditures, supported by targeted investments in interdisciplinary initiatives, strategic research themes, and advanced facilities. Texas Tech fosters collaboration across disciplines, cultivating solutions to global challenges while maintaining strong ties to its West Texas roots.

Texas Tech’s culture of access and excellence extends beyond research. More than 75 percent of students come from beyond a 300-mile radius, and the number of first-generation students has doubled in the past decade. With $230 million offered annually in scholarships and grants, along with innovative affordability programs, Texas Tech opens doors for students to pursue knowledge and discovery.

As Texas Tech accelerates its research enterprise and builds on a strong foundation of teaching and service, the university is positioned to achieve its AAU aspirations and further solidify its place among the nation’s premier research institutions.

The Search Process :

Spencer Stuart, a global executive search and leadership advisory firm, has been retained by Texas Tech to help identify and recruit the new Vice President for Research & Innovation. For confidential nominations and expressions of interest, please contact Spencer Stuart at TTUVPRI@spencerstuart.com .