Materials should be sent electronically via e-mail to the university's consultant, Dr. Jonathan Fortescue of Park Square Executive Search, at umichvpri@parksquare.com. Documents that must be mailed may be sent to Jonathan Fortescue, Ph.D., Managing Partner, or Clarice Helfand, Senior Associate, Park Square Executive Search, LLC, 225 Franklin Street, 17th Floor, Boston, MA 02110. Phone: 617-401-8362. 

The University of Michigan, one of the nation's premier research universities with an annual research volume exceeding $2B and with campuses in Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint, is seeking a Vice President for Research and Innovation (VPRI), who serves as an executive officer and the chief research official of the University. In catalyzing, supporting, and safeguarding the University's research and creative practice agenda, the Vice President works closely with the President, Provost and Executive Director of Academic Affairs, Executive Vice President (EVP) for Medical Affairs, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, other members of the University leadership team, directors of institutes, and deans of schools and colleges. 

The Vice President for Research and Innovation reports to the President and leads and oversees the University of Michigan Office of Research. The Vice President for Research and Innovation also works closely with the Provost to align the office's efforts with the academic mission of the University, and is supported by several associate and assistant vice presidents for research. Eight centers and institutes that catalyze, support, and safeguard the university's research enterprise currently report to the Office of the Vice President of Research and Innovation (OVPRI). 

Opportunities 

The research enterprise at U-M generates knowledge that advances society. As part of the University's Vision 2034 plan, we will continue to invest in new learning, design, technologies, infrastructure, and approaches that empower large-scale transdisciplinary research. We champion a research outlook that is anchored in support of our workforce and community, and relentlessly aimed at addressing global issues in close collaboration with our valued partners. 

We place enormous value on ensuring robust support structures for our faculty, staff, and students. This includes promoting safety and compliance while fostering a deep understanding of the intricacies of research methods and challenges. We envision a landscape where teams from diverse backgrounds converge, fostering a collaborative environment of growth and exploration. We strive to be a dynamic force for positive change - an innovative community that thrives on engagement, collaboration, and partnerships that make a difference in our state, our region, and our world. 

Rooted in our public commitment, U-M fuels economic vitality across the state of Michigan. Through strategic partnerships that strengthen the bridge between academia, government, and industries, we aim to generate innovation and growth that reverberates across the state. 

By implementing "smart growth" strategies and a standardized framework that emphasizes societal benefits and financial returns, we aim to ensure that U-M efficiently uses our land for sustainable development. This model will address societal needs, such as affordable housing, community partnerships, and other impactful programs within our community. 

Our vision is not confined to regional boundaries. U-M aims to broaden and grow the global footprint of the university. We plan to increase the number and depth of partnerships with national laboratories, forge international research alliances, expand exchange programs, and build additional collaborations with diverse commercial, educational, and governmental entities. U-M aspires to elevate its reputation as an international destination renowned for its exceptional facilities and shared-resources that are designed to encourage vibrant research collaborations. As we grow our vibrant research setting, we are positioned more than ever to make transformative discoveries that will enrich the quality of life for Michigan residents and people around the world. 

IN THE NEXT DECADE, WE WILL: 

• Leverage the president's Strategy to Amplify Research and Scholarship to increase large-scale grants and nonprofit donations for interdisciplinary research. 
• Develop an innovation district that will expand partnerships for new ventures, experiential learning, job opportunities, and local investments. 
• Build and sustain stronger community partnerships throughout our state - including Dearborn, Flint, Detroit, and other cities - to emphasize local impact and fulfill our role as a public university. 
• Expand our vibrant research enterprise to encourage risk-taking, spark transformative discoveries, and communicate our impact locally, nationally, and globally.
• Enhance partnerships with national laboratories to create jobs and position Michigan at the forefront of breakthroughs in science and technology. 
• Advance university-wide research goals by increasing U-M's capacity for large-scale, cross-unit interdisciplinary research and managing a dynamic portfolio of frontier-defining research institutes that will lead the world in defined areas of inquiry. 
• Implement strategic approaches to recruiting, retaining, and mentoring individuals with a diverse spectrum of talent, interests, and backgrounds across the research community to expand institutional research capacity and develop strong external relationships to advance U-M's leadership in emerging areas of study. 
• Expand the development and deployment of artificial intelligence and data science by investing in supercomputing infrastructure, state-of-the-art high-speed storage, and specialized generative AI tools that will expand university-wide capabilities and improve access. 
• Foster a vibrant culture of creative expression and discovery that serves to advance research, scholarship, and creative practice by blending academic rigor with innovative approaches to unlock potential within the areas of human experience and understanding. 

The vice president plays a leadership role in national and international activities regarding research policy and guides the University in defining and meeting the emerging research opportunities of the future. Important goals of the research and creative practice agenda include: 

• Promotion of interdisciplinary research and creative practices 
• Integration of research and creative practices with education at both the graduate and undergraduate levels 
• Promotion and facilitation of technology transfer and economic development
• Creating and supporting a robust research ecosystem that integrates community, policy engagement, and business-including university start-ups 
• Affirmation of the integrity of research processes and policies 
• Stewardship of the physical and computational infrastructure necessary for research leadership 
• Establishment of national and international collaborative research partnerships at the University 
• Participation in federal and state research-related policy-making 
• Promotion of consequential research outcomes and the communication of potential societal impact to the public 
• Oversight of compliance with federal regulations regarding research activity, and communication with regulatory agencies
• Promotion of activity from the broad and diverse spectrum of individuals engaged in research, scholarly, and creative activity that strengthen the University's research enterprise 
• Oversight of the research centers and institutes reporting to the VPRI
• Oversight of appointment, promotion, career pathways, and policies and programs to support research-track faculty excellence 

Successful candidates for this role might come from a range of prior professional experiences, including service as a leader in a Research Office, as a leader of a large research institute, as an officer in a Federal funding agency, and/or other relevant institutional leadership experience. Strong candidates will have many of the following qualities: 

• Ability to communicate a vision of the scholarly enterprise with various university constituencies and provide leadership in pursuing this vision 
• The ability to work closely with the President, Provost, EVP for Medical Affairs, other executive officers, deans, and directors of major research units 
• Tenured full professor with an international scholarly reputation  
• Ability to build teams for interdisciplinary research 
• Extensive knowledge of and experience with research funding, including a demonstrated history of attracting research funds and working with funding agencies and organizations
• Demonstrated history of affecting institutional change 
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion in multiple dimensions
• Ability to administer a large research-support enterprise, including exercising fiscally sound oversight of the budget 
• Ability to delegate, manage people effectively, foster the professional development of staff, and make sound personnel decisions 
• Understanding of the importance of compliance and regulatory matters to the research enterprise, and the ability to develop an effective organization for dealing with them
• Service on or with national organizations that provide input into research policy at the national level 
• Vision for global research issues and how to enhance Michigan's leadership in research, scholarship, and creative work, maximizing the intellectual power of the University
• Wide-ranging scholarly interest, and understanding of and commitment to promoting the full spectrum of research, interdisciplinary research, and engagement
• Awareness of the revolutionary potential of technology on the nature of the research university, and ability to provide leadership in new forms of "knowledge work"
• Ability to promote the integration of the research and educational missions of the University 
• Ability to translate research for public impact, including technology transfer, economic development, evidence-based policymaking, and enhancing public knowledge
• Commitment to and ability to exercise leadership locally, at the state level, nationally, and internationally on scholarly and policy issues related to research 
• Ability to represent the University's research mission to a variety of constituencies, external and internal 
• Ability to promote University faculty in national service and policy engagement, and for national/international recognition 
• Respect for the diverse approaches to research across all units of the University
• Commitment to responsible research and innovation, including ethical and equitable engagement with the public as research partners  

In addition to the qualifications listed above, ideal candidates will also possess personal attributes and interpersonal skills necessary for success in this role, such as decisiveness, broad intellectual curiosity, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively. 

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Since its founding in 1817, the University of Michigan has served as a national model of a complex, diverse, and comprehensive public institution of higher learning that supports excellence in research; provides outstanding undergraduate, graduate, and professional education; and demonstrates a commitment to service through partnerships and collaborations that extend to local, regional, state, national, and global communities. 

The University is governed by the Regents of the University, consisting of eight members elected at large in the biennial state election, and the President of the University, who serves as an ex officio member. Dr. Santa Ono became the 15th president of the University in October 2022. The Regents serve without compensation for overlapping terms of eight years. According to the Michigan Constitution of 1963, the Regents have general supervision of the institution and the control and direction of all expenditures from the institution's funds. The Regents meet once a month in a public session. Additional information is available at http://www.regents.umich.edu/. 

Inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited. Although the search will remain open until the position is filled, review of candidate materials will begin immediately. Candidates should provide a curriculum vitae, a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described herein, and the names and contact information of five references. References will not be contacted without prior knowledge and approval of candidates. 

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.