Associate Director for B.B.R.I.

Position Title: Physical Sciences - Principal Research Scholar (Associate Director for B.B.R.I.)

FLSA Exempt; Permanent – Full Time; Tenure Track; No FTE 1 (40 hours/week, 12 months).

Salary: Competitive, determined based on educational background, relevant experience, qualifications, and demonstrated expertise.

Position Overview

The Associate Director will oversee operations at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis/Charlotte, NC, reporting to the JLC-BBRI Director. The role functions as principal administrator and scientific review director for NCCU’s Nutrition Research Facility, coordinating research activities that align with the mission of the JLC-BBRI.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties

• Provide scientific advice and input to the Director on planning, direction, and implementation of JLC-BBRI’s research enterprise.
• Lead investigators in developing a strategic approach to increase innovation and competitiveness of research.
• Serve as a reviewer for research grant applications, and protect the institute’s research portfolio.
• Participate in internal and external advisory committees to ensure timely recommendations are implemented.
• Lead and facilitate development of responses to RFA/RFP requiring multidisciplinary or multi-institution collaboration.
• Develop and implement mechanisms for evaluating research productivity and recommend strategies to address underperformance.
• Work with the Director to negotiate release time for faculty and secure reimbursement to academic departments.
• Develop short and long-term goals; direct and control administrative activities to achieve set goals.
• Determine operational, fiscal, research, business, and administrative objectives in collaboration with the Director.
• Negotiate space allocation, capital equipment, and personnel support for researchers.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations governing the area of work.
• Oversee fiscal and business matters, monitor spending on sponsored research projects.
• Execute final oversight for faculty and staff relations; resolve disputes or employee complaints.
• Provide leadership to staff to resolve problems and promote professional growth.
• Support a positive work environment for faculty, staff, and students.
• Perform quality monitoring and performance improvement activities.
• Approve financial transactions, including budget management, expenditures, purchases, personnel actions, and budget transfers.
• Supervise training programs for graduate students.
• Participate in collaboration meetings with partner institutions such as UNC‑CH, Duke, NC State, and others.
• Engage in community outreach across North Carolina counties and conduct site visits.
• Oversee operations at Durham and Kannapolis locations, with regular visits to Kannapolis.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Recognized leader in research with active portfolio of sponsored grants; consistent publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
• Effective leadership skills to initiate activities, support, and manage research teams.
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Financial and analytical skills, including budget development and grant management.
• Decisive and independent decision-making ability.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with political savvy and discretion.

Minimum Education and Experience

Earned doctoral degree in biological sciences or related discipline with at least three (3) years of experience administering biomedical and/or health disparities research.

Licenses or Certifications

None.

Equal Opportunity Employer

North Carolina Central University is a committed equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, or veteran status.

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