Target of Opportunity

The recruitment of exceptional faculty with established records of excellence serves to further the goals expressed in the university’s academic plan. The Target of Opportunity program has been developed to allow the university to expedite the hiring process to serve such mission critical strategic initiatives.

Target of opportunity hires are typically not identified through a conventional search process, but rather through the direct recruitment of truly exceptional candidates who might not even be on the job market. 

Potential target of opportunity recruitment should be reviewed and approved by the dean of the unit and by the Office of the Provost prior to contacting potential faculty about their interest or a campus visit.

Proposal Process

Deans will use the online UO TTF Direct Hire Proposal process to propose potential hires to the provost, explaining how making offers to specific individual candidates will meet intended goals. Successful proposals are expected to carry strong potential for making contributions in one or more of the university goal areas:

  • Enhancing academic quality: Increasing research activity, publications (articles in refereed journals, books, and chapters published in top academic presses), creative scholarship or activity, and national awards
  • Promoting interdisciplinary excellence
  • Addressing initiatives outlined in the Division of Equity and Inclusion’s IDEAL Framework, which points out how diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the University of Oregon’s educational mission and its desire to serve all communities
  • Increasing external support: Potential for sponsored research activity and new grants (within four years)

Proposals are accepted on an on-going basis via the online UO TTF Direct Hire Proposal process. Please note, the online process is hosted via forms.uoregon.edu (in the “Office of the Provost” section) and requires a Shibboleth login.

Notification of the provost’s decision will come through the online process. Upon approval, hiring units may explore the possibility of a hire. Following a faculty vote, preparation of an offer will follow normal approval processes (department, dean, Office of the Provost), after which the final agreement will be documented. 

For questions, please contact OtP@uoregon.edu or TTFOffers@uoregon.edu.