Vice President for Research and Innovation

Working/Functional Title

Vice President for Research and Innovation

Position Summary

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 (OR&I) oversees approximately 500 employees, 33 of whom work directly within OR&I, 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 of research opportunities and successes internally will be important, as the VPRI plays an important role in translating the importance and impact of MSU research on the lives of Michiganders, families, and communities. The next VPRI will be a creative problem solver—who is willing to take risks—with unassailable personal and academic integrity.

MSU pairs a vigorous opportunity agenda with formidable status as a Big Ten, AAU, and R1 research university. The university reaches into all 83 Michigan counties, conducts life-changing research on the most pressing societal challenges, and is essential to the Michigan economy with a nearly $7 billion statewide impact. According to the 2025 U.S. News and World Report rankings, MSU ranks 30th among U.S. public universities, with 32 programs and concentrations ranked in the top 25 nationally, including nine ranked #1.

The full Position Specification can be found at https://bit.ly/41YoVda.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate

Minimum Requirements

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.

The Vice President for Research & Innovation 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 of research opportunities and successes internally will be important. The next VPRI will be a creative problem solver—who is willing to take risks— with unassailable personal and academic integrity.

The successful candidate will bring a combination of the following qualifications and characteristics: 

Required 

• Doctorate (PhD, MD, DO, DVM, ScD, or equivalent) and eligibility for appointment at the rank of Professor.

• Progressive research and administrative leadership at a research-intensive organization.

• Distinguished record of scholarship and research leadership with national recognition.

• Demonstrated experience managing personnel, budgets, and facilities.

• Experience with federal research funding, compliance requirements, and risk management.

• Demonstrated ability to build inclusive, collaborative, and innovative research cultures. 

Desired Qualifications

Preferred

• Prior experience as a senior research administrator (associate/vice provost, associate/vice president, or equivalent).

• Successful track record of securing major funding and leading large-scale interdisciplinary initiatives.

• Experience with industry partnerships, technology transfer, and commercialization.

• Evidence of effective leadership in advancing access to research in alignment with MSU’s land-grant mission. 

Required Application Materials

Inquiries, nominations and applications are invited. Interested candidates should submit confidentially, in electronic form (Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF files preferred), a curriculum vitae and letter of interest to:

Dr. Jett Pihakis

MSU.VPRI@russellreynolds.com

(202) 654-7800

For fullest consideration, materials should be received as soon as possible and preferably by October 20, 2025.

Special Instructions

As an institution of higher learning, Michigan State University is committed to providing a safe environment for its students, faculty, and staff in support of its educational mission. With this commitment, the University will conduct a professional misconduct review of all individuals seeking employment in executive management and academic management positions (e.g., President, Provost, Vice President, Vice Provost, Deans, etc.)

A professional misconduct review is a prerequisite for all individuals to be selected for this position. Finalists will be asked to disclose whether they are subject to any pending investigation, findings or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Professional misconduct includes misconduct related to a person’s employment, including, but not limited to, theft, embezzlement, research integrity, discrimination, or harassment under civil rights laws and policies, including protected identity harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct (sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, etc.), and retaliation. At the finalist interview stage, candidates will also be asked to sign an authorization and release, which authorizes the University to contact the candidate’s current and former employers, for a period of 7 years prior to the date of application, related to any pending investigations, findings of responsibility and/or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Although the declaration and authorization will be signed at the interview stage, the University will not reach out to the current and former employers until a formal offer of employment is made by the University.

The existence of professional misconduct history does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment. The University will assess the information, including any information provided by the candidate, in determining whether the professional misconduct history is compatible with the position. The University may decline to hire a candidate based on the professional misconduct review. All records obtained from external employers will be kept in a secure location, separate from personnel files. If an applicant fails to sign the authorization and release, the application will be deemed incomplete and will be considered withdrawn.

Review of Applications Begins On

10/20/2025

Website

https://research.msu.edu/

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.