Former UND presidential candidate Phyllis Johnson, who recently didn't move on to final consideration at the state level, has announced that she will consider running for the position of vice president for research.
The former Assistant Vice President for Research Gary Johnson currently holds the interim position. Johnson took over the position one year ago.
The position requires being the chief architect of strategies to secure external funding for all the research and creative activity.
The vice president is also in charge of maintenance of a fully accredited animal care program and the compliance associated with human subjects. Waste disposal and compliance with ethical and legal guidelines is also emphasized.
"It's the administration of the research enterprise at UND," Johnson said.
The requirements for the position include experience in administration, a substantial record of research and a PhD or equivalent degree with credentials qualifying a tenured position at UND.
Job consideration
Johnson, a UND alumna currently living in Beltsville, Md., holds the position of Area Director of the USDA Agricultural Resource Service. She was one of the five contestants nominated for the replacement of current University President Charles Kupchella, who will retire this summer.
It was anticipated that the committee would select three contestants to send before the State Board of Higher Education. Instead they chose just one, University of Wyoming Health Sciences Dean Robert O. Kelley.
It was decided that because Johnson had no experience as a college dean or another high-ranking post, her knowledge of how to run a college campus would be too far behind the curve. Douglas Munski, a geology professor, originally suggested that the university recruit Johnson for the vice president for research position.
"It's the kind of job that would suit my experience," Johnson said. "I'm considering it, but I'm exploring some other options." Her two children both live in the area.
Gary Johnson has plans to retire and will not apply for the permanent position.
Economic impact
The field of research, beyond the obvious benefits, has an impressive economic impact on both Grand Forks County and the state of North Dakota. UND had approximately $85.98 million in research dollars in the 2007 fiscal year.
The research program raised over $174 million last year, with 1,649 jobs supplied and over $32.9 million in tax revenue generated. More than $39.43 million was generated in Grand Forks, with $10.3 million in other counties.
The research department provides many jobs for students working in the field of physical science as well.
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