Professor and Associate Dean -Nursing Acute and Tertiary Care at University of Tennessee Health Science Center

• Provides leadership in facilitating and strengthening CON research, scholarship, funding success, and productivity.
• Mentor faculty in developing original and translational programs of federally or other externally funded research and supports faculty seeking training grants.
• Manages the daily operations of the CON Office of Research and Scholarship and supervises associated staff.
• Develops, enhances, and promotes policies and guidelines within the CON that support scholarship and scholarly recognition.
• Fosters and seeks extramural funding for CON research initiatives and promotes the CON internationally, nationally, and regionally, through attendance and engagement in scientific conferences and media.
• Develops and executes a plan to increase the CON research portfolio, including recruitment of nurse scientists and researchers that complement the CON and UTHSC research portfolio.
• Develops short and long-range strategic research plans that promote basic and translational research within the CON and between the CON and other colleges, departments, and institutions.
• Advises and counsels the Dean of the CON on matters related to research and scholarly activity.
• Maintains an active, externally funded research program as a principal investigator.
• Advises and mentors Ph.D. students.
• Contributes to the delivery of scholarly content and training through classroom instruction, seminars, and workshops to build scientific expertise in the CON.
• Aligns the mission and vision of the CON research programs with that of the broader institution. 
• Works collaboratively with colleagues across UTHSC while effectively advocating for CON research with UTHSC administration and clinical partners.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Dean.

EDUCATION: Doctoral Degree from an accredited institution.  

EXPERIENCE: Experience and knowledge in nursing research. A vision for the future of nursing and health sciences research and scholarship. A record of scholarship and an active, sustainable program of clinically relevant research. Current or previous NIH “R-level” funding. A history of working successfully with nursing colleagues including experience collaborating with nurses on funded research, pilot studies, training grants, and peer-reviewed publications. Success mentoring faculty and students in grant writing, research, and scholarship. A willingness to support the research and scholarship of others. An understanding of the numerous funding mechanisms available, ranging from federal (including NIH and HRSA) and state agencies, foundations, industry sponsors, and community partners. The ability to develop, strengthen, and streamline grant application processes across the CON to assist in the development of competitive proposals. Support for the role practice-focused that research plays in advancing nursing science and health care outcomes. An ability to foster collaborative research initiatives, in particular ones that leverage the strong foundation of CON’s D.N.P. program.

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, complete CV, and references) or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting UT Health Science Center. Interested candidates are asked to send materials electronically to Parker Executive Search (contact information below) and to submit materials through the University of Tennessee Health Science Center HR Employment site.

Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. It is preferred, however, that all nominations and applications be submitted prior to January 5, 2026.

Porsha Williams, Vice President

Jacob Anderson, Senior Principal

Parker Executive Search

Five Concourse Parkway

Suite 2875

Atlanta, GA 30328

[email protected] || [email protected] 

Phone: (770) 804-1996 x 111

For benefits information, please visit

https://www.uthsc.edu/hr/benefits/documents/benefits-preview-packet.pdf

THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER 

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is the flagship statewide, public, academic health institution in Tennessee. Founded in 1911, the mission of the University of Tennessee Health Science is to improve the health and well-being of Tennesseans and the global community by fostering collaborative education, research, scientific discovery, clinical care, and public service. Employing more than 4,600 people on its faculty, staff, and not-for-profit corporation faculty practice groups, and with more than 3,200 students across the state, UTHSC contributes $4 billion to the economy of Tennessee.

Part of the University of Tennessee System, the Health Science Center is headquartered in Memphis and includes all six of UT’s doctoral-degree-granting health science colleges -- Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Graduate Health Sciences, and Health Professions. UTHSC spans the state with its four major, regional clinical health science locations in Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville, as well as more than 100 clinical education sites across Tennessee. UTHSC is the largest educator of health care professionals in the state and operates the state’s largest residency and fellowship advanced training programs. 

Located in West Tennessee on the banks of the Mississippi River, Memphis is the second-largest city in the state and among the largest cities in the Southeast. The Greater Memphis metropolitan area has more than 1.3 million residents, and the city ranks among those with the lowest cost of living in the country. It is home to a vibrant restaurant scene, a revitalized Downtown, the Midtown Arts District, many scenic neighborhoods, an active medical district, and a burgeoning airport in the midst of a $214 million modernization. 

Memphis boasts attractions, including Elvis Presley’s Graceland, the Memphis Grizzlies, historic Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, the second-largest urban county park in the United States, and the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.