Position Title Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship Description THE OPPORTUNITY The primary role of the Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship (ADRS ) is to provide strategic leadership, direction, and support for scholarly and research programs, activities and experiences in the College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM ). In collaboration with the Dean of COM and the Associate Provost for Research and Scholarship (APRS ), the ADRS will develop and implement strategies to promote a vibrant scholarly culture across all four years of the student curriculum; partner with our clerkship campuses to expand research opportunities for students and residents; and advance excellence in biomedical, clinical, and translational research. The ADRS will work closely with the Office of Research and Scholarship (ORS ), including the Offices of Research Integrity and Sponsored Programs to support the faculty, professional staff, and students gain experience and support in the ethical conduct of research and scholarship, assistance with extramural grant sourcing and submission, the recruitment, hiring and onboarding of research-active faculty and the oversight of research space allocation. The ADRS will strive to make students and faculty within COM aware of research and scholarly activities within other colleges and centers at UNE to promote scholarship and research collaboration. The ADRS will work with affiliate hospitals and training sites to increase collaboration, communication, and opportunities for research and scholarship involving students and faculty. The ADRS will support and advance research and scholarly collaboration within the COM , across the University, and with external affiliates and organizations.
ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE COM ) is dedicated to preparing students for successful careers as skilled and caring osteopathic physicians. As Maine’s sole medical school, UNE COM confers the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (D.O.) and consistently achieves top scores in national licensing exams. UNE COM has recently established the Master of Science in Clinical Anatomy degree to address the need for more anatomy specialists and foster future health care professionals, educators, and researchers. Our integrated curriculum, guided by the principles of osteopathic medicine, offers diverse learning experiences to develop the knowledge and clinical skills necessary for competent medical practice. UNE COM has been recognized among the top ten medical schools in the U.S. for graduates obtaining the residency of their choice.
UNE COM graduates are leaders in health care at the local, state, and national levels throughout the U.S., and within all branches of the military. Over 70% of UNE COM graduates practice in underserved areas, caring for our most vulnerable populations. While two-thirds of graduates practice in primary care, the remainder choose careers in specialty and subspecialty medicine. Research plays a pivotal role at UNE COM , with opportunities for student participation in all educational, clinical, and biomedical science areas. Undergraduate, graduate, and medical students work with faculty, professional staff, and peers to conduct exciting and innovative research in fields such as cancer and metabolic disease, immunology and infectious disease, anatomy, interventional pain management, neuroscience, and pain research.
Our commitment to Interprofessional Education and Practice is evident through collaborations with programs in dental medicine, pharmacy, nursing, physician assistant, occupational and physical therapy, and social work. UNE COM facilitates collaborative initiatives with our health profession colleagues including rural immersion experiences, scholars’ programs, research opportunities, and shared clinical training assignments.
The UNE COM Department of Continuing Medical Education (CME ) maintains dual accreditation with the American Osteopathic Association and the Maine Medical Association; authorizing UNE COM’s sponsorship of collaborative CME activities for both osteopathic (D.O.) and allopathic (M.D.) physicians. UNE COM is one of a handful of providers in the country that holds this distinction.
ABOUT THE OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP The University of New England Office of Research and Scholarship (ORS ) plays a vital role in promoting scholarly activities across all of UNE’s colleges, programs, and centers. Through strategic planning, investment, and a comprehensive portfolio of research support services, ORS fosters collaborations both within the University and with external partners to expand the scope and impact of UNE’s research programs while fostering an inclusive scholarly environment.
As a Carnegie-classified R2 high research activity institution, UNE demonstrates remarkable strength in the biomedical sciences, including neuroscience, immunology, pharmacology, and biochemistry. The University engages medical, health professional, graduate, and undergraduate students in meaningful scholarly pursuits that enhance their educational experience while advancing our understanding of human health and disease. Faculty-led student research is a cornerstone of the UNE student experience, with 41% of UNE seniors working with faculty on research projects — almost twice the national average. ORS provides support for student experiential learning, including fellowships, travel awards, and opportunities to present and publish work.
As a part of a strategic commitment to advance biomedical research, UNE has prioritized key biomedical research areas for future investment and faculty recruitment, established strategic external partnerships, and fostered student participation in research through workforce development initiatives. Ranked No. 1 in NIH funding among colleges and universities in Maine, UNE is the only higher education institution in the state with two NIH -funded Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE ), including the recently established Center for Cell Signaling Research in 2024. UNE boasts 10 centers for research, scholarship, and interprofessional collaboration, as well as the recently established Portland Laboratory for Biotechnology and Health Sciences.
The ORS oversees the Office of Sponsored Programs, the Office of Research Integrity and the Office of Animal Care. These offices provide administrative support services to faculty, professional staff and students in order to enable pursuit of extramural funding, provide intellectual property and technology transfer expertise, and to ensure the highest ethical standards and regulatory compliance in UNE’s research and scholarship activities.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION About the University of New England UNE is Maine’s largest private university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study-abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible online offerings. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to positively impact a world full of challenges. We are the state’s top provider of health professionals and home to Maine’s only medical and dental colleges, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care programs, and nationally recognized programs in the marine sciences, the natural and social sciences, business, the humanities, and the arts. For more information about these and other accolades, visit www.une.edu/about/glance.
UNE offers a generous comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The package includes varied health and dental plans; a retirement plan that includes up to an eight percent match; extensive paid leave including holidays, vacation, sick, and personal time; and educational benefits. Please visit the Human Resources Benefits site for addi