Assistant Dean Research and Innovation

Muscat University

Purpose of the Role

The Assistant College Dean Research and Innovation supports the Dean in the coordination, implementation, and monitoring of the University s research and innovation agenda.

The role focuses on operational academic leadership, ensuring effective execution of approved research strategies, quality standards, and governance processes, while maintaining compliance with institutional regulations, ethical standards, and accreditation requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Research Strategy Implementation

• Support implementation of the approved research and innovation strategy.
• Coordinate research initiatives across colleges, centres, and units in line with institutional priorities.
• Support interdisciplinary research activities and collaborative initiatives.

Research Governance & Compliance

• Support implementation of approved research policies, regulations, and ethical standards.
• Coordinate research governance processes, committees, and reviews as assigned.
• Monitor compliance with research ethics, quality standards, and institutional requirements.

Research Development & External Engagement

• Support coordination of research development initiatives and funding opportunities.
• Facilitate engagement with national and international research bodies and partners as directed.
• Support researchers in navigating institutional research processes and requirements.

Quality Assurance & Performance Monitoring

• Support monitoring of research performance indicators, outputs, and impact metrics.
• Assist in preparing consolidated research performance reports and summaries.
• Monitor follow-up on research quality improvement actions.

Innovation & Impact Support

• Support initiatives related to innovation, intellectual property, and knowledge transfer.
• Coordinate activities that enhance research impact and industry collaboration.
• Support dissemination and visibility of research outputs.

Research Capacity Building

• Support initiatives to strengthen research capacity, supervision quality, and skills development.
• Assist in coordinating research training, workshops, and mentoring activities.
• Promote best practices in research supervision and development.

Coordination & Reporting

• Act as a coordination point between research centres, colleges, and Academic Affairs.
• Prepare academic summaries, reports, and documentation for the Dean s review.
• Follow up on action items arising from research committees and reviews.

Authority & Decision-Making (Delegated)

• Acts under delegated authority from the Dean of Research and Innovation.
• May coordinate and implement approved research initiatives and processes.
• Has no authority to approve research policies, financial commitments, or grant expenditures.
• Recommends improvements, actions, and initiatives for the Dean s approval.
• Escalates research risks, compliance issues, or delays promptly.
• Financial authority strictly as defined in the Delegation of Authorities Matrix and approved Financial Policies.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Effectiveness of implementation of research strategy and Operational Plan of R&I.
• Compliance with research governance, ethics, and quality standards.
• Timeliness and quality of research performance reports.
• Progress in research capacity-building Operational Plan of R&I.
• Effective coordination and collaboration with research centres and academic units.
• Development and implementation of strategies to engage students in research at all levels, including undergraduate research opportunities, postgraduate supervision, and entrepreneurship projects.
• Oversight of the implementation and monitoring of the R&I Operational Plan.
• Management of day-to-day financial administration related to research and innovation activities.

Key Competencies

• Strong understanding of research governance and academic quality assurance.
• Experience in coordinating research initiatives and academic processes.
• High attention to compliance, documentation, and reporting.
• Effective coordination and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to support strategic initiatives through structured execution.