Vice President Research, Creative Activity, and Economic Development

New Mexico State University (NMSU) invites nominations and applications for the role of Vice President for Research, Creativity and Economic Development (VPRCED). Reporting to the President, the Vice President for Research, Creativity, and Economic Development (VPRCED) serves as the University''s Chief Research Officer, guiding research efforts across a broad portfolio of research, including collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts at a significant scale (FY24 research expenditures of $143 million).

The next VPRCED will leverage and enhance NMSU''s 2025 R1 designation to grow the research enterprise and enhance national and global visibility while aligning its efforts to support ongoing student success, propelled by a focused investment in innovation within the context of the University''s land-grant and space-grant missions.

With a main campus location in Las Cruces, NM, the VPRCED serves as the University''s Chief Research Officer, guiding research efforts across a broad portfolio of research, including collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts at a significant scale (FY24 research expenditures of $143 million). The next VPRCED will leverage and enhance NMSU''s 2025 R1 designation to grow the research enterprise and enhance national and global visibility while aligning their efforts to support ongoing student success, propelled by a focused investment in innovation within the context of the University''s land-grant, and space-grant missions.

VPRCED works closely with the academic and community colleges to integrate and enhance research activities for university-wide strategic research growth. In addition, VPRCED provides leadership for acquiring research funding, planning and developing academic research space, research commercialization, incubating new companies, recruiting corporate research partners, and public outreach. VPRCED oversees a research enterprise where 58% of funding comes from federal agencies, making expertise in federal funding priorities and trends essential.

Additionally, NMSU''s VPRCED must understand how to expand industry-funded research initiatives. NMSU is strategically positioned for research opportunities with the Department of Energy and Department of War, with key partnerships at Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories, the Air Force Research Laboratory, White Sands Missile Range, Spaceport America, and the NASA White Sands Test Facility.

NMSU is the lead institution responsible for the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program in New Mexico. Through the statewide NM Space Grant Consortium, NMSU serves as a NASA resource for faculty and researchers across all affiliated institutions in the state.

As a land-grant institution, NMSU is also a leader in agricultural research, with critical support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the State of New Mexico, driving innovation in food security, sustainability, and rural development. External funding for arts, humanities, community-engaged research programs, and social sciences has seen a dramatic increase in recent years, and continued growth in these key areas is central to NMSU''s progress.

NMSU is recognized as a national leader in water-related research, including engineering systems, contaminant characterization and remediation, hydrology and aquifers, community impacts, and agricultural solutions. Other research areas of institutional excellence include cybersecurity (ranked 98th nationally, CSrankings.org), advanced manufacturing, biosciences, radionuclide research, mechanical and aerospace engineering, and agricultural research that spans multiple disciplines and leverages 12 agricultural science and research centers and 33 cooperative extension service offices across the state.

The most successful candidates will have extensive and demonstrated leadership experience, including responsibility for large research ecosystems at a major institution. Candidates should have a proven track record in driving technology commercialization, securing industry partnerships, and scaling university-based intellectual property portfolios. Experience scaling intellectual property and technology transfer efforts, growing industry-funded research initiatives, and leading commercialization strategies is highly desirable. They must possess an earned terminal degree with extensive scholarly, professional, and leadership achievements.