AVP for Research InfrastructureCapacity Building

Working/Functional Title

AVP for Research Infrastructure/Capacity Building

Position Summary

The Office of Research and Innovation (OR&I) advances MSUs 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 AVPR serves as a senior leader and steadfast advocate for MSUs 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 and administrative partners the AVPR helps shape and coordinate strategic investments in people infrastructure and shared resources that advance MSUs research enterprise forward. The AVPR provides executive oversight and strategic leadership for universitys 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. Through this role the AVPR will play a pivotal part in expanding MSUs impact as a leading global research university and premier land-grant institution whose faculty and staff drive leadership innovation discovery and economic opportunity for Michigan the nation and the world.

Guided by data-informed decision-making collaborative leadership and strategic partnership development the AVPR will strengthen connections across the university and with external partners to advance a cohesive forward-looking and globally competitive shared research infrastructure strategy. The AVPR models inclusive and collaborative leadership while ensuring that researchers institutional partners and community stakeholders can readily access and benefit from MSUs world-class research capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership of Shared Research Infrastructure

• Implement the strategic vision of MSUs research infrastructure ensuring strategic alignment with university research priorities faculty hiring plans and external funding opportunities.
• Develop and implement a forward-looking strategy to prioritize investments in research infrastructure aligning these investments with strategic faculty recruitment to accelerate progress on institutional priorities and strengthen MSUs research enterprise.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive performance and impact framework that integrates scientific operational financial outreach and training metrics supported by robust systems for continuous monitoring and data-informed decision-making.
• Advance and elevate MSUs standing as a leading global research university and premier land-grant institution driving discovery innovation and societal impact.

Oversight of OR&I Core Facilities and Coordination of Shared Research Resources

• Provide executive leadership and administrative oversight for the Research Technology Support Facility (RTSF) a multi-core facility delivering cutting-edge capabilities in genomics proteomics metabolomics cryo-electron microscopy flow cytometry advanced imaging gene editing and other transformative research capabilities.
• Ensure the operational excellence financial sustainability and long-term strategic vitality of RTSF with a focus on optimizing cost recovery and recharge models strengthening workforce capacity and guiding forward-looking capital investment and infrastructure planning.
• Foster strategic coordination across MSUs broader ecosystem of shared research resources including those that reside outside of OR&I to minimize duplication maximize efficiency and ensure alignment with the universitys strategic research priorities.
• Establish and advance policies governance frameworks and performance standards that promote broad accessibility operational efficiency and world-class scientific excellence across MSUs shared research infrastructure.

Capacity Building

• Lead transformative initiatives to modernize expand and optimize MSUs shared research instrumentation equipment and infrastructure ensuring the university remains at the forefront of scientific discovery and technological innovation.
• Partner strategically with faculty colleges and research units to secure major external investments in instrumentation and infrastructure positioning MSU for success in highly competitive programs such as NSF Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) NIH S10 Shared Instrumentation Grants and instrumentation initiatives supported by the DOE.
• Identify emerging federal foundation and industry funding opportunities and catalyze cross-campus collaborations that enhance MSUs competitiveness and amplify the impact of its shared research resources.

Oversight of Midland Research Operations

• Provide strategic leadership and coordinated oversight of MSUs research and education initiatives and partnerships in Midland ensuring strong alignment with institutional priorities while advancing regional innovation and economic development.
• Cultivate and strengthen collaborative relationships with industry leaders community partners and regional stakeholders to expand MSUs research presence deepen translational partnerships and amplify the universitys economic and societal impact.
• Advance faculty engagement strategic infrastructure planning and program development to support and grow Midland-based research and education initiatives fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and positioning MSU as a catalyst for regional discovery innovation and opportunity.

Leadership of Bioeconomy Initiatives

• Provide visionary leadership for MSUs bioeconomy research strategy advancing innovation in bioproducts sustainable agriculture circular economy systems and next-generation biobased technologies.
• Catalyze interdisciplinary collaboration across colleges research institutes and external partners to strengthen MSUs leadership and global impact in the rapidly evolving bioeconomy.
• Advance the development of research infrastructure partnerships and competitive funding opportunities that accelerate growth and discovery in bioeconomy related research innovation and translation.

Research Space Management

• Provide strategic oversight of OR&I-managed research spaces ensuring that facilities are well-maintained efficiently utilized and aligned with the evolving needs of MSUs research enterprise.
• Serve as OR&Is representative on building and planning committees for new and renovated interdisciplinary research facilities including the Leinweber Center for Engineering and Digital Innovation ensuring that shared research infrastructure needs core facility requirements and collaborative research environments are thoughtfully integrated into building design and planning processes.
• Partner with Facilities Planning and Space Management college-level space administrators and campus planning leadership to anticipate and address space needs related to the growth and strategic development of shared research resources and core facilities.
• Advocate for research-enabling design in new and renovated facilities with attention to flexible technology-ready spaces that support interdisciplinary collaboration core facility operations and the long-term vitality of MSUs research infrastructure.

Organizational Leadership & Collaboration

• Cultivate strong collaborative relationships with deans institute directors department chairs and administrative leaders to advance a shared vision for research growth innovation and institutional excellence.
• Champion leadership development across MSUs shared research resource ecosystem by fostering mentoring professional development and thoughtful succession planning that strengthens organizational capacity and long-term sustainability.

Visibility Accessibility & Engagement

• Advance the visibility accessibility and impact of MSUs SRRs by leading the development of a user-centered online portal or research services marketplace that enables intuitive discovery of expertise instrumentation and services while providing transparent information on access availability and cost structures.
• Strengthen coordination across MSUs life sciences and biomedical research cores spanning all campuses fostering consistent branding enhanced internal and external visibility and greater operational efficiencies while preserving the distinctive strengths and identities of individual facilities.
• Develop and implement strategic initiatives that expand faculty engagement with existing SRRs leveraging internal grant programs incentive structures and targeted outreach to colleges and departments to maximize utilization and research impact.
• Establish proactive planning practices that align SRR capabilities with faculty recruitment priorities ensuring that newly hired faculty have immediate access to the advanced infrastructure and shared resources necessary to launch and sustain cutting-edge research programs.

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

• Ph.D. M.D. D.O. D.V.M. or equivalent terminal degree.
• Tenured full professor or equivalent senior academic or professional standing.
• Sustained record of federal research funding with demonstrated experience working within or alongside shared research infrastructure environments.
• Prior service in central research administration including experience in roles such as core facility director center or institute leadership associate dean for research or equivalent administrative positions.
• Demonstrated experience managing or overseeing shared research facilities including financial sustainability personnel management and strategic planning.
• Exceptional relationship-development and facilitation skills with a proven ability to lead through influence across complex decentralized academic environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading or implementing a university-wide or multi-unit coordination initiative including stakeholder engagement governance design and change management.
• Demonstrated inclusive and innovative leadership.
• Strong communication collaboration and problem solving skills.
• Proficiency in strategic planning mentoring and program development.
• Demonstrated agility and flexibility in leading organizational change.
• Commitment to advancing equity inclusiveness and cultural richness in the research environment.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience overseeing or evaluating shared research facility business models including cost recovery structures and capital planning with demonstrated ability to hold directors accountable for financial sustainability.
• Experience developing or leading career pathway or workforce development initiatives for research support personnel.
• Experience with federal instrumentation and infrastructure grants such as NIH S10 NSF MRI NSF Mid-scale or equivalent programs.
• Experience bridging academic research infrastructure with industry contract research or commercialization partnerships.
• Experience with federal instrumentation grants such as NIH S10 NSF MRI or equivalent programs.
• Experience bridging academic research infrastructure with industry contract research or commercialization partnerships.
• Demonstrated success in building professional communities and advancing workforce development for research personnel across the university.

Required Application Materials

All applicants are expected to provide the following with their application:

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter

Special Instructions

Review of Applications Begins On

05/15/2026

Website

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.