ISER Director

The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) is seeking a new Director who will provide visionary leadership to the institute and manage a multi- disciplinary team consisting of 30 people, including faculty, research staff, and student researchers. The Director reports to the UAA Vice Chancellor for Research. The successful candidate must bring experience that extends or complements ISER’s focal research areas. The institute expects the Director to be recognized on and off campus as the Institute's voice, promoting its achievements and advocating for future opportunities and their financial support. Most importantly, the Director will guide and support institute researchers and staff, harnessing their expertise to shape ISER’s future research agenda in ways that respond nimbly to Alaska’s complex and evolving policy landscape.

For 65 years, ISER has studied the social and economic systems that affect the health and well-being of Alaskans, and this work has resulted in a more informed public and enabled enhanced decision-making. The institute has a strong, multi-disciplinary group of faculty and research professionals, and is regularly called upon by local, state, and federal policymakers to examine high impact issues. In Alaska and around the circumpolar North, ISER is known for producing quality, policy-oriented research in economic development, natural resource management, health, education, and fiscal policy. ISER researchers are also engaged in research on environmental, energy, and rural sustainable development policy in the Arctic.

As a part of the University of Alaska system, UAA is Alaska’s dual-mission university with over 11,000 students pursuing graduate, baccalaureate, and associate degrees as well as numerous occupational endorsement certifications through its campus in Anchorage and community campuses throughout Southcentral Alaska. Anchorage is a thriving, modern city of nearly 300,000 residents where over 100 languages are spoken. The community offers outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities and excellent social and cultural amenities.

As the ISER Director, you will provide strategic leadership by developing and executing a unit-level strategic plan aligned with UAA priorities, monitoring key performance indicators, and adapting strategies to achieve institutional goals. You will serve as ISER’s principal representative and knowledge broker, elevating the institute’s visibility and influence while communicating research findings to build awareness, foster collaborations, and advance strategic opportunities. The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of Alaska’s economy, its culturally diverse society, and the current policy environment, along with familiarity with research developments and opportunities in Alaska and comparable regions, and experience in policy-oriented and applied research supported by a record of publications aligned with ISER’s priorities.

You will cultivate a high-performing research environment by recruiting, mentoring, and supporting faculty and staff, maintaining a balanced portfolio of research and public service, and leading initiatives that address grand societal challenges. You will help to generate externally funded research opportunities in support of ISER’s mission, apply excellent communication and organizational skills, and build broad support for and awareness of ISER across the University of Alaska and among external agencies and stakeholders. You will also promote the integration of ISER’s work into UAA curricula and related educational and public-facing activities.

You will ensure operational excellence and fiscal sustainability by navigating shared governance, effective personnel management, transparent and data-informed decision-making, and responsible stewardship of the ISER budget, aligning organizational capacity and resources with strategic objectives.

To thrive in this role, the candidate should possess or have the ability to possess a deep knowledge of Alaska’s economy, culturally diverse society, and policy environment, coupled with experience generating high-quality, policy-oriented, and applied research. They should demonstrate experience securing and managing externally funded projects, translating research into actionable insights, and building collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Exceptional leadership, mentorship, and organizational skills are essential, along with a commitment to shared governance, transparency, and strategic decision-making.

Minimum Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:
PhD or terminal degree in a discipline that is relevant to ISER’s mission. Experience with and contributions to policy-oriented, applied research. Record of high-quality research and publications relevant to ISER’s focal research areas. Demonstrated success in generating funded opportunities from traditional and/or philanthropic institutions.

Preferred qualifications include:
Understanding of Alaska’s economy, culturally diverse society, and current policy environment. Familiarity with research developments and opportunities in Alaska, the Arctic, or similar regions. Demonstrated success in securing federal funding from diverse sources. Experience with shared governance. Strong organizational experience. Ability to grow ISER’s public reputation. Demonstrated leadership and mentoring skills. Demonstrated high-quality written and oral communication skills.

*Applicants must submit a two page cover letter stating their interest and qualifications for the position, a current curriculum vita or resume with length appropriate to describe their relevant experience, and the names, titles, and contact information for three references.

Position Details:

This position is located on the University of Alaska Anchorage Campus. This is a term-funded, full-time, senior administrator position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. Salary is commensurate, based on education and experience. 

First Review of application materials will begin February 10, 2026. For full consideration, please apply by February 09, 2026 before 11:55pm. Search and selection procedures will be closed when a sufficient and viable number of qualified candidates have been identified.

This position will be initiated fully internally funded and will be encouraged to partially offset salary through engagement in institute level activities within 24 months after hire.

The University of Alaska (UA) reserves the right to require employees to work on-site at the UA facilities. Hybrid and remote work may be approved for employees based in Alaska at the University's discretion. Remote work for employees based outside the State of Alaska may be approved only in exceptional circumstances or when required by the position's job duties.

An unrestricted Alaska driver's license and clean driving record in compliance with UA Safe Driving criteria is required.

📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Kelsie Kingston at kakingston@alaska.edu.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

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This position is a term-funded position and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.