Director-Management

Michigan State is the nation’s premier land-grant university and one of the top research universities in the world. As a member of both the Association of American Universities (AAU) and the Big Ten Academic Alliance, MSU is nationally recognized for its academic excellence, impactful research, and global outreach. It is also known for its Spartan grit and resilience. MSU is stronger because of its community, which includes more than 51,000 students, 5,600 faculty and staff, and a network of over half a million living alumni who are extremely loyal supporters and cheerleaders for the university.

Ag Bio Research  traces its origins to the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, established in 1888, and remains central to MSU's commitment to innovation, discovery, and public impact. Reporting to the Associate Provost and Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Director of Ag Bio Research  oversees a major component of Michigan State University's land-grant mission, supporting more than 300 scientists across seven colleges and a significant portion of the $228 million in annual research expenditures.

The Director leads a complex statewide organization with an operating budget of more than $51 million, eight direct reports, approximately 25 staff, and a network of on- and off-campus research facilities. With responsibility for research administration, evaluation and analytics, infrastructure, and long-term planning, the Director helps ensure Ag Bio Research 's continued impact and success in Michigan and beyond.

Building on a strong foundation of scientific excellence, stakeholder trust, and statewide impact, the Director will guide Ag Bio Research  through a rapidly evolving funding and policy landscape while advancing solutions that strengthen agriculture, food systems, natural resources, environmental sustainability, and economic development. Significant opportunities lie ahead, including modernizing critical infrastructure, leveraging recent investments in greenhouse and dairy research facilities, and securing new sources of support to ensure the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of Michigan's agricultural and natural resource sectors.

The Director will serve as a highly visible advocate for agricultural and natural resources research, cultivating relationships with policymakers, industry leaders, commodity groups, funding agencies, donors, and community stakeholders while strengthening collaboration across MSU. Working closely with university and college leadership, faculty, and MSU Extension, the successful candidate will align research priorities with stakeholder needs and expand the impact of Ag Bio Research  across Michigan and beyond.

This role offers the opportunity to foster a people-centered culture, break down organizational silos, elevate MSU's global reputation, and position Ag Bio Research  at the forefront of innovation in areas ranging from climate resilience and advanced food systems to emerging technologies and interdisciplinary discovery, ensuring continued fulfillment of the university's land-grant mission for decades to come.

The Director of Ag Bio Research  must possess a demonstrated record of visionary leadership in a complex research-intensive environment and the ability to lead a broad, multidisciplinary enterprise that advances the land-grant mission through discovery, innovation, and impact. Candidates must have an earned doctorate and a distinguished record of scholarly achievement sufficient to merit appointment as a tenured professor within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University.

As an institution of higher learning, Michigan State University is committed to providing…