Vice President Research and Innovation

Working/Functional Title

Vice President for Research and Innovation

Michigan State University (MSU), a leading global research university and the first land‑grant institution in the U.S., invites nominations and applications for the position of Vice President for Research and Innovation (VPRI). The VPRI serves as MSU’s chief research officer, providing visionary leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for a research enterprise with more than $932 million in annual expenditures, closing in on the MSU 2030 Strategic Plan’s goal of $1 billion in annual expenditures.

Research expenditures from federal sources totaled $474 million in FY2024, an increase of $39 million or 9%. Top federal funding agencies include, in rank order, the Department of Energy, Department of Health and Human Services, National Science Foundation, Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Agency for International Development, and the Department of Defense.

The MSU Innovation Center serves as MSU’s hub for translating the scholarship and innovation of faculty and students into products and services that will have a tangible impact on Michiganders and the Michigan economy. In FY2025, it recorded 198 invention disclosures and 152 new U.S. patent applications, along with 63 U.S. issued patents. Productivity resulted in $22 million in corporate support for research projects.

Additionally, $3.75 million in gross income was generated from licenses.

As a key member of the university’s executive leadership team, the VPRI is charged with shaping and executing a bold, inclusive, and forward‑looking research agenda that advances MSU’s global reputation for excellence. The successful candidate will foster interdisciplinary collaboration, drive innovation and commercialization, expand external partnerships, and support faculty and students across the research continuum—from discovery to application.

Reporting directly to the President and working closely with the Provost, deans, and university leadership, the VPRI provides strategic and operational oversight for MSU’s research, innovation, and creative activity. The portfolio spans research infrastructure and administration, faculty and student research development, regulatory compliance, industry and community partnerships, and economic development initiatives. The VPRI is responsible for aligning the research enterprise with institutional priorities, enhancing operational efficiency, cultivating strategic partnerships (including with government and industry), and elevating MSU’s national and international visibility as a land‑grant research university.

The Office of Research & Innovation (ORI) oversees approximately 500 employees, 33 of whom work directly within ORI, and a budget of $36 million.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate passion for research‑driven innovation and knowledge discovery, appreciate the importance of different types of research across many different disciplines, and demonstrate experience building inclusive and diverse partnerships both within and across organizations. Candidates should be intellectually curious and have a strong reputation for creative research with real‑life applications and impact. The successful candidate will have a proven record in securing funding from external organizations, such as government agencies, industry, and/or foundations.

An earned doctorate (PhD, MD, DO, DVM, ScD, or equivalent) is required, and the VPRI must be eligible for appointment at the rank of Professor.

The VPRI must be a strategic, visionary, and collaborative leader. The successful candidate will have had prior administrative and leadership experience at a research organization, whether university, industry, or agency. The VPRI will have a demonstrated record of building strong, high‑quality teams and effectively delegating. While the ability to establish vision and lead effectively is critical, the VPRI must also be able to get things done.

The successful candidate will be a strong communicator and negotiator who displays both transparency and political savvy. Enhancing MSU’s external visibility and reputation while increasing awareness…