The University of Arkansas seeks an accomplished practitioner-leader to serve as Professor of Practice / Executive Director for Lithium and Critical Minerals Research Initiative, with a full-time, 12-month, non-tenure-track appointment as an open-rank Professor of Practice. The Executive Director reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Strategy in the Division of Research and Innovation and is based in Fayetteville, Arkansas with substantial statewide travel and regular presence in South Arkansas.
The initiative advances Lithium and Critical Minerals, one of five priority research growth areas in the 150 Forward Reaching Higher strategic plan. Candidates whose qualifications derive primarily from leadership in industry, government, a national laboratory, economic development, or a research consortium are encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate will be committed to the University’s land-grant mission and to partnerships that create durable benefits for Arkansas communities.
The Executive Director will integrate research, education, workforce development, industry and government engagement, commercialization, and regional economic opportunity. The leader will build faculty teams, partnerships, and fundable concepts across lithium extraction and processing, battery and advanced materials, water and environmental systems, supply chains, policy, and workforce development.
Specific duties include:
Strategy and initiative leadership (20%): Develop and implement a university-wide strategy, governance, and operating plan.
Research development and funding (30%): Build interdisciplinary faculty teams and a pipeline of major proposals and agency engagement.
External, statewide, and workforce partnerships (30%): Serve as the front door for industry, government, and national laboratories, and build partnerships in South Arkansas.
Administration, budget, and coordination (20%): Manage budget and operations, and coordinate with University offices.
Candidates whose qualifications derive primarily from leadership in industry, government, a national laboratory, economic development, or a research consortium are encouraged to apply. Consistent with APS 1405.11, the Professor of Practice title is intended for practitioners with long-term, extensive professional experience rather than solely scholarly credentials. The ideal candidate will be committed to the University’s land-grant mission and to partnerships that create durable benefits for Arkansas communities.
Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.
