Associate Dean, Engineering Research and Industry Engagement College of Engineering
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
The College of Engineering at Cal Poly Pomona invites applications for the full-time management position of Associate Dean, Engineering Research and Industry Engagement (MPP III).
The Position The Associate Dean for Research and Industry Engagement (AD/RIE) works closely with the Dean to provide vision, leadership, and strategic direction to advance the College's research agenda and cultivate productive partnerships with industry, government, and academic collaborators. The Associate Dean supports faculty recruitment, development, and research advancement; oversees research-related facilities and technical staff; and represents the College in internal and external forums.
The Associate Dean reports directly to the Dean of the College of Engineering and collaborates with College leadership, department chairs, faculty, staff, Academic Affairs, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, and other internal and external stakeholders to achieve the College's strategic goals.
Key Responsibilities Research Leadership
- Partner with faculty to shape, strengthen, and submit competitive research proposals that advance scholarly impact and external funding success.
- Serve as a strategic liaison between the College and key research partners, including the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, the Cal Poly Pomona Foundation, and the Office of Undergraduate Research.
- Cultivate collaborative, interdisciplinary grant activity within the College and across campus to expand undergraduate and graduate research opportunities.
- Proactively identify and promote internal and external funding opportunities aligned with faculty expertise, emerging research areas, and College priorities.
- Design and launch a Dean's Research Seminar Series that showcases faculty scholarship, fosters connection, and elevates the College's research profile.
- Collaborate closely with the College senior budget analyst to support responsible stewardship of grant funds and sustainable research growth.
Industry and Government Engagement
- Build strong, forward-looking partnerships with government organizations, industry partners, and alumni, to deepen engagement.
- Collaborate closely with the Dean, department chairs, college development officers, and career services to cultivate strategic partnerships that advance research, workforce development, and student success
- Expand sponsored research, cross-sector collaboration, and experiential learning opportunities in partnership with industry and government stakeholders.
Technical Staff Supervision
- Serve as manager for approximately nine equipment technicians who support teaching and research laboratories.
- Maintain position descriptions; hire and evaluate technical staff; manage professional development; oversee absence management; and liaise with Human Resources on personnel matters.
- Ensure the safe operation, maintenance, and modernization of laboratory equipment and research infrastructure.
Technology, Facilities and Space Planning
- Collaborate with Facilities, Information Technology, and campus partners to oversee the renovation, repurposing, and modernization of instructional and research spaces, including technology-enabled environments and high-performance computing infrastructure.
- Provide strategic direction on the allocation of physical and technology-supported space resources to departments, faculty researchers, and student groups.
- Work with department chairs and stakeholders to assess needs and recommend adjustments to ensure effective and equitable space utilization.
Internal and External Relations
- Participate in the Dean's Leadership Team, Dean's Council, and other campus and college committees.
- Represent the College in systemwide and external engineering research leadership groups.
- Engage regularly with Academic Affairs and Faculty Affairs leadership regarding research and faculty advancement initiatives.
The incumbent may drive on university business approximately once per month to attend conferences and off-campus events.
Required Qualifications - Earned Ph.D. in Engineering or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
- Must have achieved tenure or have a record to support tenure based on effective teaching, scholarship, and service that merits appointment at the full professor level in the College of Engineering.
- Minimum of two years of leadership experience (e.g., department chair, associate chair, center director, interim leadership positions, or major committee chair).
- Knowledge of government and industrial funding sources and a successful record of research funding.
- Demonstrated ability to lead strategic initiatives, build collaborative teams, and respond effectively to deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications - Knowledge of and experience in fiscal management and compliance with federal regulations and oversight of grants and contracts.
- Knowledge and experience in managing intellectual property rights and entrepreneurial opportunities, including a record of entrepreneurial attainment.
- Experience in planning, implementing, and sustaining comprehensive research centers or programs.
- Research funding from major federal agencies such as NSF, DOE, and DOD.
- Experience in partnering with industry and business.
- Experience with faculty professional development and mentoring.
- A demonstrated commitment to the recruitment and retention of a culturally diverse and talented faculty and student body.
- Experience working with students from varied educational backgrounds, including first-generation college students.
Applications The Search Committee will begin reviewing candidates immediately and continue until the position is filled. Priority consideration will be given to materials received by August 7, 2026.
To apply, a candidate should submit:
A letter of intent addressing how the candidate's experiences match the position requirements and outlining a vision for advancing research and industry engagement in the College; andA current curriculum vitae References will not be contacted without the prior knowledge and approval of the candidate, and at a later stage in the search.
The salary range for this position is $173,520-$185,004 annually. More information about benefits is available through the California State University system.
This is a full-time, on-site MPP III position in the College of Engineering.
