Associate Dean of Research, College of Design, Architecture, Art, & Planning at InsideHigherEd

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Next Lives at the University of Cincinnati

Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the nation’s best urban public research universities. Home to more than 53,000 students, 12,000 faculty and staff, and over 350,000 living alumni, UC, a Carnegie 1 institution, combines research prowess with a physical setting The New York Times has called “the most ambitious campus design program in the country." UC's momentum has never been stronger as the anchor of the Cincinnati Innovation District, the oldest cooperative education (co-op) program in the country with students earning $88.8 million annually through paid experiences, an academic health system, and as a member of the Big 12 Conference. The university contributes $10.6 billion in economic impact to the city and $22.7 billion to the state of Ohio. At UC, next is all of us. Learn more at uc.edu.

UC is a mission-driven organization where we are committed to student success and positively transforming the community through scholarship and service. We thrive on innovation, making an impact, and fostering an environment where staff and faculty are key contributors to UC’s success.

About the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning

The University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) invites applications for the position of Associate Dean of Research and Creative Activity at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor with tenure. This is a pivotal leadership role designed to advance the college’s mission of fostering innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and impactful scholarship across the fields of design, architecture, art, planning, and related disciplines.

The College of DAAP is internationally recognized as a leader in creative and interdisciplinary education. DAAP is home to a vibrant community of designers, artists, architects, and planners who are shaping the future of our built and visual environments.

Located in a dynamic urban setting, DAAP offers cutting-edge programs that blend rigorous academics with hands-on experience, including one of the nation’s top-ranked cooperative education (co-op) programs. Our faculty and students engage in innovative research, community partnerships, and global collaborations that push the boundaries of creativity and impact.

Job Overview

The Associate Dean will serve as the chief strategist and advocate for research and creative activity within DAAP, leading efforts to build on our dynamic culture of inquiry, experimentation, and scholarly excellence. This includes developing and implementing a strategic vision for research and creative work that aligns with the college’s academic priorities and the broader goals of the university. This is a 12-month faculty position.

Essential Functions

Teaching & Scholarship

• Teaching at least 2 graduate and/or undergraduate courses related to the candidate’s area of expertise
• Engages in research and/or scholarship and/or creative work in their area of expertise.

Strategic Vision & Leadership

Build upon and expand existing DAAP research initiatives, as well as the structure and activities of our Collaborative for DAAP Research and Innovation (CDRI). Develop and implement new initiatives that expand the reach of the DAAP Research Office to include more faculty engaged in creative activity and independent scholarship.

Conceptualize and lead a strategic vision for research and creative activity that aligns with DAAP’s mission and the University of Cincinnati’s priorities.

Maintain policies, practices, and protocols that promote research excellence and creative innovation.

Research & Funding

Provide leadership and actively promote external research opportunities for faculty, supporting the continued advancement of individual and collective research agendas within the college.

Continue and expand the DAAP grant accelerator program instituted, while developing new supports for creative and non-traditional work that may not fit traditionally funded research grant models.

Collaborate with the Office of Sponsored Research and other units to identify funding sources and support proposal development.

Faculty Development & Mentorship

Provide individualized mentoring to tenure-track faculty, with a focus on early career development in research and creative activity.

Design and implement strategies to support associate professors in preparing for promotion to full professor, including milestone planning and mentoring.

Offer tailored support for artists and creative practitioners in identifying and applying for fellowships, residencies, and grants.

Awards & Recognition

Create and sustain prestigious award pipelines by identifying faculty with potential for national and international recognition (e.g., Guggenheim, Loeb, Getty, FAIA, Fulbright, career awards) and supporting their application development.

Partner with campus units to offer professional development workshops on topics such as book proposals, grant writing, CV development, and career advancement.

Collaboration & Outreach

Facilitate interdisciplinary and inter-institutional research partnerships, including collaborations with other UC colleges, national/international scholars, and community stakeholders.

Engage in strategic outreach to foster research networks and collaborative initiatives.

Evaluation & Reporting

Establish, track, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) for research and creative activity across DAAP.

Develop mechanisms to monitor research productivity and benchmark performance against peer institutions.

Visibility & Impact

• Partner with the DAAP Communications and Marketing team to translate research and creative accomplishments into marketing and PR efforts.
• Work with DAAP and UC Marketing/Communications teams to disseminate information about research activities, awards, and scholarly impact.

Minimum Requirements

Terminal degree in a discipline represented in the College such as communications design, industrial design, fashion design, architecture, interior architecture, urban planning, community planning, landscape architecture, fine arts, art history, architectural history, or related field.Minimum 5 years in higher education. Tenured professors are especially encouraged to apply.Minimum 2 years administrative experience in higher education as program director, department chair, assistant dean, associate director or chair, collaborative research team leader, or similar role.Strong record of research, scholarship, and/or creative activity with external funding demonstrated in the CV.

Application Process:

Interested candidates should submit the following materials:

A cover letter detailing interest in the position, relevant leadership experience, while highlighting key accomplishments in research, creative activity, mentorship, and strategic initiatives.Curriculum vitaeContact information for three references

Review of applications will begin on January 15, 2026 and the search will remain open until an appointment is made. The position is intended to commence on August 15, 2026.

Compensation and Benefits

UC offers an exceptional benefits package designed to support your well-being, financial security, and work-life balance. Eligibility varies by position and FTE. Highlights include:

Comprehensive Tuition Remission

UC provides tuition remission for you and your eligible dependents, covering tuition costs for nearly all undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the university.

Robust Retirement Plans

As a UC employee, you won’t contribute to Social Security (except Medicare). Instead, you’ll choose between state pension plans (OPERS, STRS) or an Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP), with UC contributing 14–18% of your salary based on position.

Real Work-Life Balance

UC prioritizes work-life balance with a generous time-off policy, including:

Vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays and additional end-of-year paid time off (Winter Season Days)

6 weeks of paid parental leave for new parents

Additional Benefits Include:

Competitive salary based on experienceComprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription)Flexible spending accounts & wellness programsProfessional development & mentorship opportunities

FOR ALL FACULTY HIRES OFFICIAL ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS WILL BE REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF HIRE

For questions about the UC recruiting process or to request accommodations with the application, please contact Human Resources at [email protected].

Equal Opportunity Employer. Building a workplace where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, including Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans.

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