ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR RESEARCH
Open-Rank Open-Rank
Faculty Position Faculty Position
THE DEAN
“We understand that working in academe, particularly in a faculty role, can be isolating and ambiguous. Thus, we are intentional about creating a structure that honors and supports the whole employee – personally, professionally, and otherwise.”
GREETINGS!
Thank you for your interest in joining the College of Social Work (CoSW) at the University of Kentucky!
For over 85 years, CoSW has been a leader in higher education. Our mission is clear: Through rigorous research, excellence in instruction, and steadfast service, the CoSW works to improve the human condition. Always, in all ways.
Make no mistake, people are central to actualizing our mission. As such, CoSW strives to foster an employment culture predicated on consistent faculty/staff development, intentional investment in supportive infrastructure, and rigorous assessment of employment-related initiatives. This overarching aim and associated principles of creativity, consistency, and collegiality influence every decision we make about our College.
We also recognize the need for life-balance. We understand that working in academe, particularly in a faculty role, can be isolating and ambiguous. Thus, we are intentional about creating a structure that honors and supports the whole employee – personally, professionally, and otherwise. Our Faculty and Staff Self-Care Initiative is but one example of that intentionality.
I, as Dean, recognize employment searches can provoke anxiety and stress. Current societal contexts can exacerbate those feelings. If you have any questions about employment in CoSW, I would be happy to connect with you. Please feel free to email me at Justin.Miller1@uky.edu (with copy to Xana. Plum@uky.edu).
Be well, J. Jay Miller
Dean and Dorothy A. Miller
Research Professor in Social Work Education College of Social Work, University of Kentucky
POSITION OVERVIEW
THE ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR RESEARCH is the primary leader for the development and conduct of research within the College of Social Work (CoSW). They will conceptualize and lead the implementation of the college’s strategic research vision, which includes fostering a robust culture of research predicated on consistent faculty and student development, intentional investment in research infrastructure, mutual support, and rigorous evaluation.
Position Overview
Reporting directly to the Dean, the Associate Dean for Research (ADR) will be a vital and recognized part of the CoSW leadership team.
The Associate Dean oversees the Office of the Associate Dean for Research and will have direct reports and supports, including the opportunity to conceptualize and search for an Assistant Dean for Research.
The Associate Dean works in collaboration with the Dean, the Office of the Vice President for Research (VPR), Assistant Dean for Research, Director of Centers and Labs, College Project Manager Senior, faculty, staff, and students, among others, to carry out the college’s mission and goals.
As well as serving as a member of the CoSW Leadership Team, the ADR serves as an ex officio member of the college’s Research Committee. Other assignments may be outlined in the Distribution of Effort, or DOE (e.g., research, teaching, and service as assigned by the Dean).
The ADR will be located at the University’s main campus in Lexington.
Appointment Term
In general, associate dean appointments are three years, with options to renew in three-year cycles. The Office of the Dean will lead an annual review of Associate Dean service. The role of ADR is an at-will administrative appointment. The DOE for the ADR varies and is set each year, in partnership with the Office of the Dean.
If the annual review concludes that the ADR has not adroitly balanced the administrative commitment with other responsibilities, the Office of the Dean will seek another candidate for the position.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ADR INCLUDE:
Advances an impactful vision for the CoSW research enterprise.
• Develops, communicates, and assesses the creative vision for CoSW’s research enterprise
• Articulates clear strategies for advancing CoSW research endeavors
• Coordinates with the Executive Director of Centers and Labs to deploy integrated strategies for expanding CoSW’s Centers and Labs apparatus
• Establishes and reports on key performance indicators (KPIs) for CoSW researchers
• Collaborates with the Office of the Dean to develop research financial projections for management and planning purposes
Engages in strategic outreach that yields fruitful research collaborations.
• Facilitates collaborative relationships and initiatives among CoSW investigators and other UK units, as well as other national/international scholars and community stakeholders
• Acts as the liaison between CoSW, VPR, Institutional Review Board (IRB), and other entities involved in research activities
• Partners with CoSW and UK Marketing/Communication teams to disseminate information about research activities, awards, and accomplishments
• Expands interdisciplinary and translational research activity in a way consistent with the Office of the Provost’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)
Promotes research competency among CoSW stakeholders.
• Supports mentorship structures to promote the development of new and established investigators
• Conducts periodic assessment of developmental needs of investigators to provide appropriate guidance and support
• Works with Office of Sponsored Projects Administration (OSPA), Office of Corporate Philanthropy, and others to identify potential funding sources for CoSW investigators
• Provides insight and participates in ongoing faculty/staff reviews, evaluations, and distributions of research effort
Fosters a supportive, collaborative research culture in CoSW.
• Procures and manages resources – financial and otherwise – to promote research capacity (including incentive programs, etc.)
• Fosters an infrastructure consistent with developing strong research networks between CoSW researchers and external partners
• Establishes policies, practices, and protocols consistent with research excellence
• Cultivates an expansive environment consistent with CoSW’s Forward, Together Plan, and tenets outlined in accreditation standards (e.g., SACS, CSWE EPAS, etc.).
QUALIFICATIONS PROCEDURE FOR CANDIDACY
WE ARE LOOKING FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WITH THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:
An attitude and ethic consistent with providing support and consultation to CoSW researchers
An earned doctorate
An outstanding research record commensurate with a senior Associate Professor or full Professor
Two (2) years of administration or management experience OR a history of progressively responsible administrative/leadership positions
Experience as a principal investigator for competitive research grants and/or demonstrated success in attracting support for research from the private sector
A commitment to ensuring diverse representation of people, processes, methodologies, and content areas
All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of intent addressing the themes in this profile.
WittKieffer is assisting the College of Social Work in this search. Applications are being considered on an on-going basis and the search will remain open until an appointment is made.
Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to: Rob Springall and Ethan Robles KentuckyCoSWADR@wittkieffer.com
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, social or economic status or whether the person is a smoker or nonsmoker, as long as the person complies with University regulation concerning smoking.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
The University of Kentucky (UK), located in Lexington, is a public land-grant research university that was founded in 1865. It is one of the state’s two land-grant universities and is the largest higher education institution in the state. The institution comprises 16 colleges, a graduate school, and more than 200 academic degree programs. It is classified among R1: Doctoral Universities – very high research activity and spent $504 million on research and development in fiscal year 2022-23.
As of Fall 2025, the university had an enrollment of over 36,000 students. This represents a significant increase from the enrollment of 23,852 students in 2000. The campus spans 784 acres. It has seven libraries on campus, with the largest being the William T. Young Library, a federal depository that hosts subjects related to social sciences, humanities, and life sciences collections. UK is one of only eight institutions in the U.S. with the full complement of liberal arts, engineering, professional, agricultural, and medical college and disciplines on one contiguous campus.
UK has been recognized as one of America’s best large employers, the top university employer in Kentucky, and has received multiple designations as a “Great College to Work For” by Modern Think.
ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORK
OVERVIEW
FOR OVER 85 YEARS, the College of Social Work (CoSW) has been a leader in higher education. Our mission is clear: Through rigorous research, excellence in instruction, and steadfast service, the CoSW works to improve the human condition. Always, in all ways.
As the state’s flagship university, our mission is actualized through our deeds. Our faculty are renowned academicians dedicated to fostering the development of high-quality practitioners, educators, and researchers.
As a college, we promote community and individual well-being through translational research and scholarship, exemplary teaching, and vital community engagement. We are committed to the people and social institutions throughout Kentucky, the nation, and the world. Our college, like the university, is an organization that cultivates a diverse academic community characterized by interpersonal fairness and justice.
CoSW is comprised of more than 350 full- and part-time faculty and staff, and more than 3,000 students in social work and criminal justice degree programs. In addition to the main campus in Lexington, CoSW has a satellite campus at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, which offers the distinctive Army-University of Kentucky MSW program
CoSW is home to several unique centers and labs. These dynamic environments, which are housed at the Coldstream Research Campus in Lexington, permit researchers, practitioners, academicians, and students the opportunity to conceptualize and conduct cutting-edge research, programming, and consultation aimed at assuaging and addressing contemporary challenges facing individuals, communities, families, and systems. The organizational apparatus framing CoSW centers and labs fosters a multidisciplinary, collaborative effort consistent with advancing its mission.
COLLEGE STRATEGIC Plan Plan
In 2019, CoSW announced an ambitious strategic framework – referred to as the Forward, Together Plan. This plan included a bold slate of actionable ideas that explored new ways to address long-standing challenges and pursue expansive possibilities. The plan was updated in 2022 and includes goals, objectives and strategies in four key areas:
LEARNING CENTERED ENVIRONMENTS
Aspiring to have a learningcentered environment consistent with meeting the needs of a contemporary and ever-changing practice landscape.
PEOPLE FIRST, PEOPLE ALWAYS
Aspiring to be an ideal unit in which to be employed, educated, and engaged.
INSPIRING IMPACTFUL INGENUITY THROUGH RESEARCH
Aspiring to be a regional/ national/global leader in research related to the social sciences, in general, and social work and criminal justice, specifically.
ENGAGE DIFFERENCE, DIFFERENTLY
Aspiring to create an expansive college community in which difference--in all forms--is inherently included.
Outcomes stemming from the implementation of the Forward, Together Plan have been remarkable. CoSW is ranked #1 at the University of Kentucky on institutional performance metrics. Here are but a few other seminal outcomes:
378% 360% 97%
The Forward, Together Plan is being updated to reflect the college’s priorities and plans between now and 2030.
Research
The University of Kentucky (UK) supports and empowers innovative research in all forms practiced across our diverse campus, varied disciplines and more than 75 centers and institutes. UK faculty, staff and student researchers create, discover and apply new knowledge, and explore the most complex problems facing Kentucky, the nation and the world. Our collaborative, cross-disciplinary research environment provides a rich training ground for the next generation of thinkers, creators and leaders.
The Office of the Vice President for Research (VPR) provides programs and services to support UK faculty, staff and students in grant development and submission, compliance and regulatory affairs, development of intellectual property and in highlighting their research achievements. This includes oversight and guidance of 12 multidisciplinary research centers and 7 core facilities.
COLLEGE OF
Social Work
Research Social Work
Research That Matters
Our research is community-based and multidisciplinary, identifying social problems and finding solutions that promote individual and community well-being. We advance research that impacts child welfare, substance use, gerontology, inequality and social justice, poverty, well-being and health disparities, violence, and suicide. CoSW research spans basic and applied sciences and promotes translational and evidenced-based clinical, group, and community practice modalities.
1Source: UK Research Data Portal, FY23 - FY25 2Source: UK Research Data Portal, FY24 - FY25
LEADING THE COMMONWEALTH AND BEYOND
THE COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORK (COSW) is home to several unique centers and labs. These dynamic environments, which are housed at the Coldstream Research Campus, permit researchers, practitioners, academicians, and students the opportunity to conceptualize and conduct cutting-edge research, programming, and consultation aimed at assuaging and addressing contemporary challenges facing individuals, communities, and families. The organizational apparatus framing CoSW centers and labs fosters a multidisciplinary, collaborative effort consistent with advancing the mission of the College.
TRAINING RESOURCE CENTER
INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH CENTER ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
SELF-CARE LAB
SUICIDE PREVENTION AND EXPOSURE LAB
MILITARY BEHAVIOR HEALTH LAB
KENTUCKY KINSHIP RESOURCE CENTER
INSTITUTE FOR FACILITATION INNOVATION
CHILD WELLBEING RESEARCH INSTITUTE
SPORT SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH LAB
RESOURCES FOR RESEARCHERS
@UKC o SW
Like the University, CoSW is committed to supporting researchers in innovative and creative ways. Be it seed funding, finding extramural opportunities, or post-award supports, we offer an array of services and initiatives that help researchers conduct impactful, cutting-edge research. Below you will find but a few examples of the resources availed to our researchers.
The Office of the VPR provides resources for all researchers on campus, including mechanisms for:
Finding internal and external funding
Identifying collaborators
Building and submitting proposals
Managing awards
Complying with regulations
Protecting and commercializing inventions
Internal Research Support Programs
The VPR hosts a series of workshops on various topics designed to help faculty accelerate their research activities. As well, there are an array of Faculty Support Grant Programs:
University Research Professors
CURATE Research Support Program
Multidisciplinary Value Program (MVP)
Igniting Research Collaborations (IRC)
Conference & Workshop Grants
Complex Research Grants
Equipment Maintenance Program
John P. Wyatt, M.D., Traveling Fellowship
UKinSPIRE (Seeding Partnerships for International Research Engagement)
Additional VPR programs include:
Emerging Themes for Research Programs
The Emerging Themes for Research Program supports multidisciplinary teams engaged in emerging research that creates, grows, and sustains a healthier, wealthier, and wiser Kentucky.
Research Scholars Program (RSP)
RSP is an investment in the research success of junior faculty and their mentors that seeks to provide professional development curricula; provide mentorship, sponsorship, and coaching to embed the cohort in research environments committed to inclusive excellence, collegiality and productivity; and establish a networking structure.
Postdoctoral Fellowship Programs
These fellowship programs, the Lyman T. Johnson Postdoctoral Fellowship and the University Research Postdoctoral Fellowship, have a primary goal of creating a pipeline of qualified candidates with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences and plans for research that will extend the reach of the ideals of community and belonging in their field of study.
Equipment Competition
Equipment Competitions are offered periodically to fund purchases that enhance multidiscplinary research and expand the research infrastructure at UK.
C o SW INCENTIVE PROGRAMS
To align with VPR priorities, CoSW offers faculty a host of incentive-based programs associated with research activities. Here are but a few:
RESEARCH INCENTIVE PROPOSAL POOL (RIPP) is an initiative designed to recognize the effort that goes into writing a research proposal for extramural funding. To that end, each FY, the Office of the Dean allocates a funding award pool for PIs who submit extramural research proposals. These funding awards are distributed at the end of each fiscal year.
THE COSW WETHINGTON AWARD PROGRAM incentivizes activities linked to CoSW’s efforts to advance meaningful research. This program provides up to $50,000 to researchers for an array of research activities, including proposal submissions, generated salary savings, completion of commercialization processes (e.g., patents, licensing, etc.), publications, and other research-related activities.
PROPOSAL SUPPORT ACCELERATOR PROGRAM provides faculty with expert support in research development and grant writing. Faculty receive customized proposal review, revision, and production support, while also receiving feedback to help align strategic priorities to funding trends and opportunities across the grants landscape.
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORK
619 Patterson Office Tower
Lexington, KY 40506-0027
859-257-6650
socialwork.uky.edu
