Executive Director

The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) invites nominations and applications for the position of Executive Director (ED) of the University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute (UTARI). The University seeks a dynamic, visionary leader who will advance the institute’s innovative research mission, and leading-edge capabilities in fabrication, robotics, machine learning, biomedical technologies, and manufacturing technologies. UTA is one of the fastest growing doctoral institutions in the nation, and this is an opportunity for the next Executive Director to advance and promote applied research and collaboration within the institution and to support industry and technology-based economic development in the Dallas-Fort Worth region and nation-wide. 

The University of Texas at Arlington is a Texas Tier One research institution focused on meeting the needs of Texans today, tomorrow, and into the future with bold solutions and global impact. As a comprehensive teaching, research, and public service institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through scholarship and creative work, the University is committed to creating a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization of discoveries by a community of scholars. UTARI reflects this commitment by bridging the gap between academic research and product development in the engineering space, transforming ideas into realities through unbounded research and innovative developments that sustain business and industry, advance humankind, and benefit our global society. UTARI is located in Fort Worth, and as part of the commitment by the university to expand to the west of Arlington, including the creation of a new campus, UTA West, UTARI will continue to serve as a strategic partner to faculty, students, and academic leaders across the university to foster interdisciplinary research and innovation. 

Reporting to the Vice President for Research and Innovation, the ED will help position UTARI as a respected leader in engineering research and development by increasing the institute’s visibility in the community, strengthening partnerships, and identifying opportunities for greater research funding with a focus on applied research. The ED will develop, implement, and effectively communicate a vision that encourages productive collaborations across the university and with external partners. In doing so, the ED will oversee initiatives dedicated to catalyzing engineering research and development in UTARI’s current portfolio – establishing critical partnerships with other academic institutions, government agencies, major corporations, and local industry – while exploring new relevant opportunities to increase UTARI’s impact. As an advocate for UTARI and applied research activity, the ED will broadcast the institute’s compelling story to further generate financial support for the institute’s growth and expansion. Successful candidates will possess a Ph.D. or terminal degree, a record of nationally recognized research and scholarship, and be eligible for tenure. They will also have a proven track record in building collaborations with diverse stakeholders and securing external research funding through grants and partnerships to support research missions.

Pam Pezzoli is leading this search with Courtney Cabansag, Kristin Benoit, Melissa Barravecchio.

University of Texas, Arlington is an equal employment and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status, or protected veteran status.