The Office of the Vice President for Research and Partnerships is pleased to announce the following openings.
Director of the Data Institute for Societal Challenges (DISC)
The University of Oklahoma seeks an innovative and collaborative scholar to serve as Director of the Data Institute for Societal Challenges (DISC). The Director will provide intellectual and strategic leadership for an institute that advances data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data-enabled research to address complex societal challenges.
Originally established with a Norman campus focus, DISC is positioned to evolve into a true cross-campus enterprise that deploys resources across disciplines and all OU campuses to convene interdisciplinary teams, secure diverse funding streams, and create pathways that move knowledge, technology, and innovation out of the university and into real-world application. The next Director will shepherd this evolution, expanding DISC’s reach to include the Health Sciences Center and the Tulsa campus while supporting the University’s highest-priority impact areas and maintaining the flexibility to grow into new areas as opportunities emerge.
Reporting to the Vice President for Research and Partnerships, the Director will build on DISC’s growing role as the University’s hub for data science and AI-enabled research while expanding interdisciplinary collaborations, external partnerships, and the institute’s externally funded research portfolio. The Director works in close partnership with the VPRP and leverages shared, centralized OVPRP resources to maximize institutional impact.
Learn more and apply at https://apply.interfolio.com/184659.
For best consideration, interested candidates should apply by 5 p.m. CT, April 27, 2026.
Director of the Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis
The University of Oklahoma seeks an innovative and collaborative scholar to serve as Director of the Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (IPPRA). The Director will provide intellectual and strategic leadership for an institute that integrates interdisciplinary policy analysis with scientific and technical research to address complex societal challenges.
Originally established with a Norman campus focus, IPPRA is positioned to evolve into a multi-campus enterprise that brings public policy scholarship to bear on the University’s highest-priority impact areas while creating pathways that move knowledge and insight out of the university and into real-world application. The next Director will position and plan for this evolution, developing a clear pathway to expand IPPRA’s reach and partnerships across the Health Sciences Center and the Tulsa campus while maintaining the flexibility to grow into new areas as opportunities emerge.
Reporting to the Vice President for Research and Partnerships, the Director will build on the institute’s national reputation in data-driven policy research while expanding interdisciplinary collaborations, external partnerships, and the institute’s externally funded research portfolio. The Director works in close partnership with the VPRP and leverages shared, centralized OVPRP resources to maximize institutional impact.
Learn more and apply at https://apply.interfolio.com/184663.
For best consideration, interested candidates should apply by 5 p.m. CT, April 27, 2026.
