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Openings

Current Openings in the Office of Research and Innovation

Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research

About the Office of Undergraduate Research

The OUR supports student engagement in research outside the classroom and creative activities across all fields of study at UMass Dartmouth. The office's mission is to promote and strengthen undergraduate research, facilitate opportunities for students, and help students showcase their work. Ultimately, OUR aims to have at least half of all UMassD students engaged in some form of hands-on research, scholarly work, or creative activity during their undergraduate careers.

Led by a research-active faculty member serving as Director, and supported by an Associate Director, the OUR reports to the Chief Research Officer and works closely with the Provost's and Deans' offices to offer grants, information sessions, and guidance. The office hosts the annual UMassD Undergraduate Research Symposium, collaborates with faculty interested in mentoring undergraduate researchers, and supports campus partners with related events.

Responsibilities of the OUR Director

Strategic Leadership & Campus Partnerships

  • Convene and regularly engage the Undergraduate Faculty Research Council to promote and increase the visibility of undergraduate research.
  • Partner closely with the Senate Research Committee to develop plans that increase student engagement.
  • Collaborate with academic departments and the Honors College to organize and spearhead annual undergraduate research and creative work symposia (including 3-Minute Thesis competitions).
  • Lead the development of programming to raise awareness of research activities and opportunities across all disciplines.

Student Programs & Mentorship

  • Manage, refine, and expand academic year and summer research programs, including research and conference travel grants.
  • Facilitate meaningful research experiences and celebrate the achievements of both student researchers and their faculty mentors.
  • Develop targeted initiatives to connect underrepresented undergraduate groups with opportunities to acquire hands-on research experience.
  • Organize workshops and information sessions for early-career students to increase awareness of research and funding opportunities.
  • Bring greater awareness to prestigious student awards (e.g., Goldwater, Marshall, Truman, and Rhodes scholarships) with the goal of increasing application and award rates.

Funding & Grant Development

  • Identify and develop internal and external funding sources to diversify and broaden participation in undergraduate inquiry.
  • Seek, apply for, and secure national grants to support the university's undergraduate research and creative activities.

Communications & Administration

  • Publish the biannual OUR newsletter highlighting the accomplishments of students and mentors.
  • Produce an annual report detailing OUR activities and accomplishments.
  • Develop and maintain an electronic archive of student projects on the OUR online venues.
  • Manage and expand the OUR social media platforms to increase the visibility of UMassD's undergraduate research efforts.
  • Keep the OUR website current and relevant.
  • Archive all office activities in a shared folder.

Compensation & Terms

  • Stipend/Release: $15,000 annual stipend or two-course releases (one per semester). The stipend and course releases may be split.
  • Teaching Load: The Director is expected to carry a minimum teaching load of one lecture course per semester.
  • Appointment: The appointment is for three years (9/1/2026 - 8/31/2029) and will be reviewed annually.