Dean Research and Innovation

Muscat University

Position
Title

Dean
Research and Innovation

Reports
to

Deputy
Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Research and Innovation

Supervises

Assistant Deans, Directors/Managers of Research
Centres & Units

Purpose of the Role

The Dean of Research
and Innovation provides strategic academic leadership and governance for the
University s research, innovation, and knowledge-transfer agenda.

The role leads the development and oversight of research strategy, policies,
quality standards, and impact; ensures alignment with national research
priorities and Oman Vision 2040; and maintains compliance with institutional
regulations, ethical standards, and accreditation requirements, including
OAAAQA.

Key
Responsibilities

Research Strategy
& Leadership

• Lead the development, review, and oversight of
  the University s research and innovation strategy.
• Ensure alignment of research priorities with
  national agendas, Oman Vision 2040, and institutional strategic
  objectives.
• Promote interdisciplinary research and a
  sustainable research culture across colleges and centres.

Research Governance
& Policy

• Oversee implementation of approved research
  policies, regulations, and ethical standards.
• Contribute to and support research governance
  committees as assigned.
• Ensure integrity, transparency, and consistency
  in research decision-making and approvals within governance frameworks.

Research Quality
& Compliance

• Ensure research activities comply with
  institutional quality standards and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee ethical review frameworks and research
  compliance mechanisms.
• Support internal and external research audits,
  reviews, and accreditation requirements.

Research Development
& External Engagement

• Provide academic leadership and institutional
  representation in engagement with national and international research
  bodies, funding agencies, and strategic partners.
• Promote competitive research funding and
  collaborative partnerships.
• Review consolidated reports on research
  development and funding outcomes.

Innovation,
Commercialisation & Impact

• Promote innovation, knowledge transfer,
  intellectual property development, and industry collaboration.
• Support initiatives that enhance the societal,
  economic, and academic impact of research outputs.
• Encourage responsible commercialisation and
  impact pathways consistent with institutional policy.

Research Performance
Monitoring

• Oversee monitoring of research performance
  indicators, outputs, and impact metrics.
• Review consolidated performance reports submitted
  by research centres and units.
• Report research performance, risks, and
  achievements to Academic Affairs leadership.

Leadership &
Capacity Building

• Provide academic leadership and mentorship to
  research leaders and staff.
• Support institutional initiatives to strengthen
  research capacity, supervision quality, and innovation capability among
  academic staff and postgraduate researchers.
• Encourage best practices in postgraduate research
  supervision and research development.

Authority &
Decision-Making (Delegated)

• Acts under delegated authority from the Deputy
  Vice-Chancellor Academic Affairs.
• Has authority to approve research initiatives,
  policies, and frameworks within approved academic governance structures.
• Recommends major research strategies,
  partnerships, and initiatives for formal approval.
• Does not approve financial commitments, manage
  funds, or administer expenditures.
• Escalates research risks, ethical issues, and
  compliance gaps promptly.
• Financial authority strictly as defined in the
  Delegation of Authorities Matrix and approved Financial Policies.

Key Performance
Indicators (KPIs)

• Quality, volume, and impact of research outputs
  and publications.
• Success in securing competitive research funding
  and strategic partnerships (outcomes, not administration).
• Compliance with research governance, ethics, and
  quality standards.
• Research capacity development and postgraduate
  supervision quality.
• Contribution of research and innovation to
  institutional strategy and national priorities.
• Oversight of research funding strategy, budgets,
  proposal assessment, grant distribution, and grant management.
• Governing consultancy activities and integrating
  research into teaching and learning ensuring research informs curriculum
  development.
• Overseeing student involvement in research and
  entrepreneurship projects and Management of intellectual property.
• Explicit responsibility for developing research
  performance indicators and targets and oversight and management of MoHERI
  Scholarship Indicators.
• Oversight of the implementation of R&I
  Operational Plan.

Key Competencies

• Strategic research leadership and innovation
  management.
• Strong understanding of research governance,
  ethics, and compliance.
• Proven research track record and impact
  orientation.
• Ability to lead interdisciplinary initiatives and
  external engagement at a strategic level.
• High governance, judgment, and institutional
  awareness.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant academic discipline with a
  minimum academic rank of Associate Professor (Full Professor preferred).
• Strong academic standing in teaching, research,
  and service.
• Leadership training is desirable.

Experience

• Minimum of 15 years of academic experience in
  higher education.
• Including at least 7 years in an academic
  leadership role at a recognised university or college.
• Proven experience in academic planning, research
  development, and faculty management.