Vice Provost for Research

  • Full-time
  • Job Type: Administrative-academic staff

Company Description

Reports to: Provost

Direct Reports: Director of Research Administration; Core Facilities Department; Executive Assistant.

The Vice Provost for Research is responsible for the implementation of the university’s research strategy, consistent with the Kazakhstan 2050 strategy and Nazarbayev University Strategy 2030. These strategy documents are available on request.

The Vice Provost for Research fosters a collaborative, interdisciplinary academic environment, supportive of the University mission and vision, with a focus on research integrity and international standards as per the European Code for Research Integrity (ALLEA Code).

The Vice Provost for Research (VPR) will be eligible to hold the rank of Full Professor in his or her discipline.

He or she will have a distinguished scholarly record and demonstrate national and international experience of academic leadership within a research-intensive environment. The VPR will demonstrate teamwork and collaborative leadership skills and will accelerate the development of internationally-benchmarked, high impact research with regional relevance. He or she will also prioritise the process of building research capacity in students and early career researchers.

Job Description

a. the VPR role reports to the Provost

b. Workload distribution (approximate):

  • - 60% implementing the university’s research strategy.
  • - 20% research in the VPR’s field of expertise, including graduate student supervision, as agreed with the Provost. 
  • - 20% overseeing research training for students, postdoctoral scholars and early career researchers.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The VPR liaises with national and international funding bodies on behalf of the University, with a particular emphasis on the Horizon Europe initiatives.

He or she will lead the quality assurance of research, consistent with the University’s research strategy.

Duties include:

  • ·         Promoting The European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (developed by ALLEA: ALL European Academies) and other relevant international research standards;
  • ·         Promoting cross-disciplinary and cross-institutional research via NU Research Institutes;
  • ·         Recognising and promoting international research outcomes;
  • ·         Developing grantsmanship;
  • ·         Mentoring postdoctoral scholars and early career researchers.

Administration includes:

  • ·        Collaborating with Vice Provosts for Academic Affairs and Industry Engagement and Associate Provost Graduate Studies;
  • ·        Leading the Research Administration Department, including appraising and developing direct reports;
  • ·        Chairing university level committees; and
  • ·        Contributing to the program for “Sharing the NU Experience” with Kazakh and regional Universities.

VPR’s own research activities are agreed with the Provost, and may include:

  • ·         Conducting research in field of expertise;
  • ·         Graduate student supervision;
  • ·         Publishing research outcomes;
  • ·         Applying for research grants and obtaining funding appropriate to field of research;
  • ·         Keeping up with current research activities in area of expertise;
  • ·         Attending conferences, applying for grants and fellowships, engaging in editorial and grant reviews and nurturing scholarly contacts.

Any other tasks or assignments as instructed by the Provost.

Additional Information

Diversity and inclusion are important to Nazarbayev University. All employees serve as role models for NU values.