Wisconsin RISE-THRIVE scholarly collaboration lead position description

About RISE-THRIVE

The Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Initiative is designed to help address significant, complex challenges of particular importance to Wisconsin and the world, through accelerated and strategic faculty hiring, research infrastructure enhancement, interdisciplinary collaboration and increased student and educational opportunities.

RISE-THRIVE will focus on strengthening UW–Madison’s investments and leadership in two distinct yet complementary areas: the science of immunology and the study of the healthspan, or the number of years a person is not only alive but healthy.

About the position

The RISE-THRIVE scholarly collaboration lead will join the RISE Core team (led by the senior vice provost for academic affairs) and will work with colleagues across campus to advance the goals of RISE-THRIVE by promoting, coordinating and supporting collaboration in research, education and outreach.

The RISE-THRIVE scholarly collaboration lead is a compensated campus service role, open to tenured or tenure-track faculty. Compensation will include a 10% temporary base adjustment for 12-month basis faculty or 1 month of summer salary for 9-month basis faculty. A teaching reduction will also be considered. Onboarding will begin during the summer 2025 term, with a start date in early June. This is a two-year appointment, ending at the conclusion of the 2026-2027 academic year, with the potential for renewal.

This position will have an annual budget to support programming and seed grants, and basic staff support.

General responsibilities

  • Work with the vice chancellor for research, provost, and RISE Core Team (led by the senior vice provost for academic affairs) to shape and implement strategies for enhancing scholarly collaboration in research, graduate and undergraduate education, and outreach related to RISE-THRIVE.
  • Convene and lead the RISE-THRIVE Thought Leaders group, which includes designees from deans and from the vice chancellor for research.
  • Work with colleagues across campus to build connections among the RISE-THRIVE community, which includes both new RISE-THRIVE hires and current faculty and staff colleagues.
  • Identify opportunities for collaboration among campus and community partners, including but not limited to those likely to attract significant external funding. Work with cross-disciplinary colleagues to facilitate the formation of collaborative teams to take advantage of these opportunities.
  • Work with the RISE Joint Operations Team to facilitate the sharing of information about school/college hiring plans and progress and facilitate collaborative hiring should opportunities emerge.
  • Participate in review processes for RISE-THRIVE collaboration seed grants and other RISE-related funding initiatives from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research.

Specific tasks

  • Meet weekly with the RISE Core Team
  • Meet monthly with the RISE-THRIVE Thought Leaders group.
  • Meet with all new RISE faculty hires to support their onboarding and entry into the RISE community
  • Each semester, organize and facilitate at least one campuswide convening focused on creating connections among their RISE scholarly community (four over two years)
  • Each year, organize and facilitate at least one convening focused on creating connections with external partners, such as industry and community organizations
  • Support 5 cross-campus research teams with seed grants to facilitate academic publications and/or external grant applications
  • Produce an annual report on RISE THRIVE-related activities (hiring, programs, publications, curricular changes, etc.)

Desired qualifications

  • Tenured UW–Madison faculty member
  • Established scholarly expertise and record in areas related to RISE-THRIVE
  • Record of collaboration in research, teaching, and/or outreach
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and facilitate group discussion and drive collaboration across disciplines

How to apply

Please send an email by May 9, 2025 to rise@provost.wisc.edu with subject line “RISE-THRIVE Scholarly Collaboration Lead” and the following materials:

  • Letter of Interest
  • Shortened CV and/or biosketch
  • Names of three on-campus references

For more information, email rise@provost.wisc.edu.