Associate Vice President, Office of Research and Innovation, Health Sciences

Michigan State University (MSU) seeks a collaborative, interdisciplinary, and visionary leader to serve as the next Associate Vice President for Health Sciences (AVPHS) in the Office of Research Innovation. Applications, nominations, and expressions of interest are invited.

Michigan State is the nation'spremier land-grant university and one of the top research universities in the world. As a member of both the Association of AmericanUniversities (AAU) and the Big Ten Academic Alliance, MSU is nationally recognized for its academic excellence, impactful research, andglobal outreach. It is also known for its Spartan grit and resilience. MSU is stronger because of its community, which includes more than51,000 students, 5,600 faculty and staff, and a network of over half a million living alumni who are extremely loyal supporters andcheerleaders for the university. In 2025, Michigan State had $992M in research expenditures and was ranked #1 nationally in Department ofEnergy expenditures. Two major capital projects are also underway – the Plant and Environmental Sciences Building and the Leinweber Center for Engineering and Digital Innovation – both of which will significantly expand MSU's research capabilities.

MSU is advancing a bold vision for the future of health sciences through the One Team, One Health initiative. As health care and education evolve, MSU sees the growing value of adopting a One Health approach that recognizes the interconnected health of people, animals, and the environment. By harnessing Michigan State's land-grant mission, the institution is uniquely positioned to address the world's biggest challenges through this integrated approach. By leveraging their strengths in biobehavioral research, their statewide Extension network, and their clinical partners across the state, MSU has a unique opportunity to build a healthier future.

MSU seeks an AVPHS to serve as the university's senior integrator and collaborative leader for Health Sciences research and provide executive leadership for research integration across the Health Sciences enterprise. The AVPHS will align translational and One Team, One Health research priorities with shared research infrastructure, federal funding strategies, and interface with major health-system partnerships.

Operating through influence, facilitation, and consensus-driven leadership, the AVPHSconnects colleges, centers, institutes, core facilities, and external partners - including Henry Ford Health, and Corewell Health - toensure MSU's health research strategy is coherent, executable, and nationally competitive. The AVPHS will also collaborate with the VanAndel Institute to support biomedical research efforts and science education. Along with these partners, the AVPHS will drive the design,development, and execution of large team funding opportunities in health from both federal and non-federal funding sources. The AVPHS willpromote cross-unit collaborations, implement institutional research decisions, and represent MSU externally to elevate the reputation andstature of the university. MSU's health sciences research enterprise operates through a networked partnership-based model that emphasizesshared governance, collaboration, and integration across academic units and external partners.

The successful candidate will holda terminal degree (Ph.D., M.D., D.O., D.V.M., or equivalent), be a tenured full professor or possess equivalent senior academic standing,and demonstrate a sustained record of NIH or comparable federal research funding. This individual will bring significant experience incentral research administration, such as leadership in an Office of Research and Innovation, health sciences administration, academicdeanship, or center/institute leadership.

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

WittKieffer is assisting Michigan State University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by July 17, 2026 .

Application materials, inquires and nominations should be submitted usingWittKieffer's .

Nominations and inquiries can also be directed to:Jessica Herrington at [email protected] , AlanaPenley [email protected] andNatalie Song at [email protected] .

A ll 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 veteranstatus.

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