Position DescriptionPerforms executive, administrative duties concerning various aspects of operational management in support of the Service Plus philosophy and mission of Texas Tech.
Major/Essential FunctionsThe Assistant Vice President for Emerging Technologies provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the university's information technology initiatives in advanced and transformative technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and related fields. This role is responsible for building and sustaining cutting-edge research technology infrastructure, enabling faculty and students to leverage emerging technologies in teaching and discovery, and fostering partnerships with industry, government, and community organizations.
The Assistant Vice President will serve as a key institutional leader, driving innovation, supporting interdisciplinary collaboration, and enabling the university remains at the forefront of technological advancement, workforce development, and community impact.
- Strategic Leadership - Formulate and execute a university-wide strategy for emerging technologies, with a focus on AI, quantum technologies, and future computational paradigms.
- Strategic Leadership - Establish governance frameworks for ethical, secure, and responsible use of emerging technologies. Develop the Emerging Technology organization.
- Technology Enablement - Lead the design, deployment, and operation of advanced computing infrastructure (e.g., HPC clusters, GPU farms, quantum access platforms, hybrid cloud environments).
- Technology Enablement - Ensure scalable, secure, and high-performance environments for research and experimentation. Partner with research offices to support grant development, large-scale initiatives, and interdisciplinary programs.
- Faculty and Academic Support - Enable faculty to integrate emerging technologies into curriculum and pedagogy. Support development of new academic programs, certificates, and experiential learning opportunities in AI and quantum-related fields. Provide technical guidance and resources for faculty-led research and student engagement.
- Partnerships and External Engagement - Build and maintain strategic partnerships with industry, government agencies, national labs, and startups. Drive collaborative research, workforce development programs, and technology transfer initiatives. Represent the university in regional, national, and global technology dialogs.
- Workforce Development and Community Impact - Advance programs, in partnership with academic organizations, that prepare students and professionals for careers in emerging technology fields. Promote access to advanced technologies across diverse communities. Support initiatives that apply emerging technologies to address business and societal challenges.
Preferred Qualifications- PhD in computer science, engineering, physics, or a closely related field.
- Experience with high-performance computing (HPC), distributed systems, cloud computing (AWS, Azure, GCP), and data infrastructure.
- Experience leading AI or quantum technology initiatives at a research-intensive institution or major organization.
- Record of scholarly publications, patents, or significant contributions to emerging technology fields.
- Experience with technology commercialization, startups, or tech transfer.
- Familiarity with national or international technology consortia and public-private partnerships.
- Experience in workforce development, continuing education, or community engagement programs.
- Knowledge of regulatory and ethical frameworks related to AI and advanced technologies.
Required QualificationsMaster's degree in computer science, engineering, physics, or a closely related field. Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in academia, industry, or government in a technology-focused role. Demonstrated experience managing advanced research infrastructure or large-scale technical programs. Proven record of collaboration across disciplines and with external partners. Strong understanding of the research funding landscape and experience supporting or leading grant-funded initiatives.
This position is designated as involving access to critical infrastructure systems and/or research, as defined by Texas Executive Order GA-48. As such, candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive background check prior to employment. Employees are required to comply with all applicable state and federal regulations related to the protection of critical infrastructure. Ongoing employment is dependent upon maintaining eligibility for access and successfully passing periodic security and compliance reviews.
Safety InformationAdherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.
Pay StatementCompensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities- Deep knowledge of artificial intelligence, including machine learning, deep learning, and generative AI systems.
- Familiarity with quantum computing concepts, such as quantum algorithms, quantum hardware platforms, and hybrid quantum-classical workflows.
- Proficiency in programming and data ecosystems (e.g., Python, C++, TensorFlow, PyTorch, CUDA, data engineering pipelines).
- Understanding of cybersecurity, data governance, and privacy in advanced computing environments.
