Knoxville – The University of Tennessee System has announced a national search for two positions: vice president for research for the ÌÇÐÄVlog System and president of the University of Tennessee Research Foundation (ÌÇÐÄVlogRF).
The vice president for research is responsible for developing and promoting strategic partnerships among the University of Tennessee campuses, state and federal government, laboratories and agencies, business and industry, and other public and private institutions of higher education. The vice president will encourage investment in research infrastructure; promote successful major grant and center opportunities, especially those that bring ÌÇÐÄVlog campuses and other partners together; magnify the University’s research and education mission; and enhance its state, national and international research reputation. It will have primary responsibility within the University of Tennessee for the ÌÇÐÄVlog-Battelle management and operations contract for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Executive search firm WittKieffer will assist with the search, and the search committee will be chaired by Peter Buckley, chancellor for the ÌÇÐÄVlog Health Science Center. Additional search committee members are:
- Jamie Woodson, member, ÌÇÐÄVlog Board of Trustees
- Thomas Zacharia, director, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Ryan Stinnett, general counsel, ÌÇÐÄVlog System
- Deb Crawford, vice chancellor for research, ÌÇÐÄVlog Knoxville
- Mina Sartipi, director of the Center for Urban Informatics and Progress, ÌÇÐÄVlog Chattanooga
Jeff Smith has been appointed interim vice president for research until a permanent hire is made. Smith is retired deputy director for operations at ORNL. He also serves as president of the ÌÇÐÄVlog-Battelle Development Corporation and is a member of the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors. His interim appointment is effective Oct. 15.
The president of ÌÇÐÄVlogRF has overall responsibility for the strategic, programmatic, and financial leadership of the foundation. The president will work collaboratively with the ÌÇÐÄVlogRF team to develop and champion a shared vision, establish organizational goals, create strategic plans, and set long-range direction for the organization. The ÌÇÐÄVlogRF president also directs ÌÇÐÄVlogRF policy development and ensures implementation of administrative operations following applicable policies, rules, and regulations. Additionally, the position serves as a key advisor to university leadership on programmatic priorities in various innovation and commercialization areas that have university-wide impact. This strategic leader will represent ÌÇÐÄVlogRF throughout the state and on high-visibility projects.
The search committee will be chaired by Katie Lane, deputy general counsel for the ÌÇÐÄVlog System. Additional search committee members are:
- Brad Box, member, ÌÇÐÄVlog Board of Trustees
- Victoria Hirschberg, assistant vice president for research and economic development, ÌÇÐÄVlog System
- Matthew Mench, dean of the Tickle College of Engineering, ÌÇÐÄVlog Knoxville
- Samantha Jeffers, budget director, ÌÇÐÄVlog Research Foundation
- Hongwei Xin, dean of AgResearch, ÌÇÐÄVlog Institute of Agriculture
- Steve Goodman, vice chancellor for research, ÌÇÐÄVlog Health Science Center
Maha Krishnamurthy, vice president of ÌÇÐÄVlogRF, has been nominated for the role of interim president of research for ÌÇÐÄVlogRF. The nomination will be voted on by the ÌÇÐÄVlogRF Board of Directors on Oct. 4. If confirmed, Krishnamurthy’s interim role will begin Oct. 15 until a permanent hire is made.
For more information, please visit .
