Vice President, Research
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Vice President, Research: Position Profile
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) seeks a dynamic and strategic leader to serve as its next Vice President of Research. As a world-class research university and academic health system committed to understanding and improving the human experience, UAB enriches society and improves health and well-being through transformational educational experiences, groundbreaking research, innovation and entrepreneurship, community engagement, and world-class patient care.
UAB’s research enterprise is strengthened by its commitment to nurturing excellent research, scholarship, and creative activity by faculty, staff, and students. With FY25 NIH expenditures totaling $349 million and all six health‑related schools ranked among the top 20 public institutions in NIH awards, UAB stands among the nation’s most competitive research universities. The University’s clinical trial expenditures have tripled over the past decade, reaching $139 million in FY25, reflecting robust growth in translational and patient‑centered research. UAB is home to more than 1,270 funded principal investigators and ranks in the top 4 percent of all public U.S. universities for NIH awards and in the top 5 percent for federal R&D expenditures. This depth and breadth of activity position UAB as a national leader in discovery and innovation, supported by a comprehensive research infrastructure and a culture that promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and real‑world impact.
The next Vice President of Research will shape and execute a bold vision for UAB’s research future — empowering research excellence, impact, scholarship, and innovation that drive knowledge and job creation, while developing and sustaining opportunities that enhance its contribution to new knowledge and the national standing of UAB. As a key member of the President’s Cabinet, the Vice President will provide counsel on matters related to the research enterprise and collaborate with leadership across the institution to develop pipelines for research growth. This role offers the opportunity to guide a thriving research enterprise and expand UAB’s capability to continually discover and share knowledge that benefits society.
KornFerry is partnering with The University of Alabama at Birmingham in this national search. Confidential review of applications, nominations and expressions of interest will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. To be ensured full consideration, please email a letter of interest and CV to:
Vickie Antolini, Senior Client Partner
215-656-5313, vickie.antolini@kornferry.com
Ken Kring, Senior Client Partner
215-620-9872, ken.kring@kornferry.com
Anna Flagg, Senior Associate
832-236-2600, anna.flagg@kornferry.com
Libby Kiggins, Project Coordinator
480-236-5220, libby.kiggins@kornferry.com
UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability and veteran’s status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB’s Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix.
UAB also encourages applications from individuals with disabilities and veterans. A pre-employment background check is performed on candidates selected for employment. In addition, physicians and other clinical faculty candidates who will be employed by the University of Alabama Health Services Foundation (UAHSF) or other UAB Medicine entities must successfully complete a pre-employment drug and nicotine screen to be hired.