Research Initiatives

1. Research Initiatives William P. Grabe Vice President for Research 3/24/24

2. Developing Research Capacity at NAU • ABOR has directed NAU to increase RESEARCH EXPENDATURES to 43.6 million (2020). • Current Research Expenditures = 28-30 million (flat for past 5 years). • Our current designation (Carnegie Foundation) is HIGH RESEARCH UNIVERSITY: Formerly Doctoral 1 University.

3. Raising the Research Profile through Informatics • Developing Informatics, Cyberstructure, Discovery, and Design infrastructure • Recruited 1 junior faculty member • Close to recruiting a senior faculty member to head the program • Near future – 1 additional informatics faculty • Stage 2, Stage 3 • Recruit additional hires associated with the Cyberstructure Discovery and Design Program (including departmentally based hires)

4. Raising the Research Profile: Senior Researchers • 800K research expenditure colleagues • Initiative approved by President’s Office • OVPR recruiting plan – next 6 years • First 3 year stage: 6 hires targeted • Second 3 year stage: 6 hires targeted • Individuals should have demonstrated track record of external funding (past 3 years, minimum) of 800K per year.

5. Start Up Expectations • 1. Average start-up packages of $800,000. • 2. Research lab space as needed from among existing space. • 3. Funds to move labs and people (primarily post-docs, research faculty, and equipment). • 4. Expectation that many will come with tenure. • 5. Funds for a post-doc or two. • 6. New equipment as needed. • 7. (Evaluation process to determine continuation as “research-intensive” faculty designation.)

6. Primary Focal Areas for Recruitment • Biology and Bio-Chemistry • SESES • Astronomy (PhD development) • Forestry • CHHS • Informatics and Computing Program • Criminal Justice (FVI; Family Violence Institute) • Applied Linguistics • Engineering • MGGen (Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics) • MPCER (Merriam Powell Center for Environmental Research) • NACP (Center for Native American Cancer Partnership) • CAIR (Center for American Indian Resilience) • LCI (Landscape Conservation Initiative) • Ecoss (Center for Ecosystem Science and Society) • ISES (Institute for Sustainable Energy Systems) • CBI (Center for Bio-engineering Innovation) • ERI (Ecological Research Institute)

7. Recruitment Process • 1. Develop a simple position announcement with: • A. Open rank • B. Record of prior yearly $800K research expenditures • C. Appropriate fit with strategic program development • D. Evidence that the $800K Research Expenditures will continue at NAU • 2. Faculty identify interested candidates. • 3. Initial minimums review by small administrative committee (Bill Grabe, Bob Trotter, Lesley Cephas, and Paul Jagodzinski). • 4. Send positive review to President for permission to recruit. • 5. After president approval, contact candidate and initiate discussion of interest and possible recruiting package needs. Offer to bring candidate to NAU to begin recruiting. • 6. If candidate is a good match with NAU, negotiate a package. Engage up to 4 or 5 candidates to the negotiations stage at any yearly cycle, and stop the yearly cycle at 2 or 3 successful recruits.