Associate Vice President Research

Title:

Associate Vice President for Research

Division Name:
Academic Affairs

Department:
Vice President & Provost

Campus

Location:

Normal, IL

Illinois State University, a nationally ranked public R2 university committed to teaching, scholarship, civic engagement, and inclusive excellence, invites applications and nominations for the position of associate vice president for Research (AVPR). The University recognizes that our commitment to the inclusion of all students, faculty, and staff enriches the educational and cultural experiences of the entire campus and greater community. To that end, we invite applications from individuals who share these values and will work to advance the University’s continued commitment to equity, diversity, access, and belonging for all.

Reporting directly to the vice president for Academic Affairs and provost, the AVPR provides strategic leadership for the University’s research enterprise, cultivating an environment where scholarly inquiry and creative scholarship thrive and where discovery enhances the public good. The next associate vice president for Research will join Illinois State University at a pivotal time—when research, innovation, and creativity are increasingly central to defining the institution’s future.

Guided by the University’s strategic plan, Excellence by Design, the AVPR will help shape a research enterprise that is collaborative in spirit, bold in ambition, and deeply connected to the people and communities it serves. This is an opportunity to lead within a university that values both excellence and belonging, where faculty and students alike are empowered to pursue discovery in ways that transform lives and strengthen society.

The ideal candidate for this role should be prepared for potential changes in their portfolio as the institution undergoes a time of transformation. The successful candidate will be a team player who is adaptable and can manage competing priorities effectively while demonstrating flexibility and a collaborative spirit. The next AVPR should be an individual who exhibits the collegiality, competence, and professionalism of a senior administrator in the Division of Academic Affairs.

This individual should understand and be prepared to navigate the rapidly changing landscape of higher education, while contributing to the institution’s evolution and long-term success.

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$195,000 – 215,000 annual salary

• A terminal degree from an accredited institution in a discipline related to the University’s curricula.
• A record of outstanding scholarship and teaching, meriting appointment as professor with tenure within a department or school at Illinois State University.
• A record of full-time administrative leadership experience in dynamic organizations, demonstrated through roles such as dean, associate dean, department chair, school director, or leadership positions within federal research agencies.
• Knowledge of federal reporting requirements and policies that govern research accountability and guide the fiduciary requirements of grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts.
• Demonstrated experience in securing funding or administering grant programs and skill in building relationships with funding agencies, corporations, foundations, and community partners to enhance the reach and relevance of Illinois State’s research enterprise.
• A record of aligning fiscal resources with strategic priorities and demonstrated innovative fiscal management accomplishments in prior administrative roles.
• A demonstrated ability and willingness to work well with others and to promote a community of inclusive excellence in a decentralized shared governance environment.

• A capacity to bring people together across disciplines and divisions, cultivating shared ownership of institutional goals related to research and creative scholarship.
• The ability to align investments, policies, and initiatives with both near‑term opportunities and long‑range institutional aspirations.
• A leadership style grounded in openness,…