Associate Vice President for Research Infrastructure and Capacity Building

Michigan State University (MSU) invites nominations and applications for an entrepreneurial, strategic leader to serve as the Associate Vice President for Research Infrastructure and Capacity Building (AVPR) within the Office of Research and Innovation.

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. In 2025, Michigan State had $992M in research expenditures and was ranked #1 nationally in Department of Energy expenditures. Multiple major capital projects are also underway – the Plant and Environmental Sciences Building, the Leinweber Center for Engineering and Digital Innovation, and the Health Sciences Research Center in Detroit – all of which will significantly expand MSU's research capabilities.

The Office of Research and Innovation (OR&I) advances MSU's research mission by supporting excellence across the full spectrum of scholarly, creative, and scientific activity. OR&I delivers comprehensive research support services; safeguards the safety, integrity, and ethical conduct of research; fosters technology transfer and strategic external partnerships; supports shared research resources and core facilities; and implements university policies that guide and strengthen research and creative activity.

The next AVPR serves as a senior leader and steadfast advocate for MSU's shared research infrastructure. Working in close collaboration with the Vice President for Research and Innovation (VPRI), academic colleges, research institutes and centers, core facilities, museums, libraries, external and industry partners and administrative partners, the AVPR helps shape and coordinate strategic investments in people, infrastructure, and shared resources that advance MSU's research enterprise forward. The AVPR provides executive oversight and strategic leadership for university's portfolio of shared research resources (SRRs), including direct administrative responsibility for the Research Technology Support Facility (RTSF), the MSU Bioeconomy Institute, and the St. Andrews Facility at the Midland site.

After an extensive two-year initiative involving over 180 community members, MSU has developed a comprehensive blueprint to transform their shared research resources (SRR) ecosystem. This collaborative effort establishes a clear vision for coordinated, sustainable, and world-class research infrastructure that will drive discovery and innovation for decades to come. Central to this work will be establishing a long-term, sustainable financial model, in partnership with the university's CFO and Contract and Grant Administration, for MSU's core facilities, expanding utilization and broadening the user base internally across the institution and externally through partnerships with industry and universities across the state.

The successful candidate will hold a terminal degree (Ph.D., M.D., D.O., D.V.M., or equivalent), be a tenured professor or possess equivalent senior academic standing, and a sustained record of federal research funding, with demonstrated experience working within or alongside shared research infrastructure environments. Candidates should bring prior experience in central research administration—such as service as a core facility director, center or institute leader, associate dean for research, department head/chair, or in a comparable administrative role—along with a demonstrated ability to oversee shared research facilities, including responsibility for financial sustainability, asset management, personnel management, and strategic planning. The successful candidate will also possess exceptional relationship-building and facilitation skills, with a proven capacity to lead through influence in complex, decentralized academic environments.

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the leadership profile.

WittKieffer is assisting Michigan State University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by September 1, 2026. Application materials, inquiries, and nominations should be submitted using WittKieffer's candidate portal. Nominations and inquiries can also be directed to: Jessica Herrington at jherrington@wittkieffer.com and Natalie Song at nsong@wittkieffer.com.

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.





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