Director-Management

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.

AgBioResearch traces its origins to the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, established in 1888, and remains central to MSU's commitment to innovation, discovery, and public impact. Reporting to the Associate Provost and Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Director of AgBioResearch oversees a major component of Michigan State University's land-grant mission, supporting more than 300 scientists across seven colleges and a significant portion of the $228 million in annual research expenditures. The Director leads a complex statewide organization with an operating budget of more than $51 million, eight direct reports, approximately 25 staff, and a network of on- and off-campus research facilities. With responsibility for research administration, evaluation and analytics, infrastructure, and long-term planning, the Director helps ensure AgBioResearch's continued impact and success in Michigan and beyond.

Building on a strong foundation of scientific excellence, stakeholder trust, and statewide impact, the Director will guide AgBioResearch through a rapidly evolving funding and policy landscape while advancing solutions that strengthen agriculture, food systems, natural resources, environmental sustainability, and economic development. Significant opportunities lie ahead, including modernizing critical infrastructure, leveraging recent investments in greenhouse and dairy research facilities, and securing new sources of support to ensure the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of Michigan's agricultural and natural resource sectors.

The Director will serve as a highly visible advocate for agricultural and natural resources research, cultivating relationships with policymakers, industry leaders, commodity groups, funding agencies, donors, and community stakeholders while strengthening collaboration across MSU. Working closely with university and college leadership, faculty, and MSU Extension, the successful candidate will align research priorities with stakeholder needs and expand the impact of AgBioResearch across Michigan and beyond. This role offers the opportunity to foster a people-centered culture, break down organizational silos, elevate MSU's global reputation, and position AgBioResearch at the forefront of innovation in areas ranging from climate resilience and advanced food systems to emerging technologies and interdisciplinary discovery, ensuring continued fulfillment of the university's land-grant mission for decades to come.

The Director of AgBioResearch must possess a demonstrated record of visionary leadership in a complex research-intensive environment and the ability to lead a broad, multidisciplinary enterprise that advances the land-grant mission through discovery, innovation, and impact. Candidates must have an earned doctorate and a distinguished record of scholarly achievement sufficient to merit appointment as a tenured professor within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University.

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 conducts criminal background checks and professional misconduct reviews of all applicants for employment in faculty, academic staff, and executive management searches.

Professional Misconduct Review

A professional misconduct review is a prerequisite for a candidate to be selected for this position. Applicants 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. All applicants will 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. Nothing will be sent to current or former employers unless the candidate reaches the semi-finalist stage.

The existence of professional misconduct history does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment. The University will assess the history, including any information provided by the candidate, in determining whether it 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 withdrawn.

The Director will:

• →Provide strategic leadership for AgBioResearch and advance its mission in support of Michigan State University's research, outreach, and land-grant commitments.
• →Lead research administration, evaluation, planning, infrastructure development, and resource management across a complex statewide research enterprise.
• →Develop and implement strategies to secure and diversify federal, state, industry, philanthropic, and other funding sources.
• →Advocate for AgBioResearch with policymakers, industry leaders, commodity groups, funding agencies, donors, and other stakeholders.
• →Foster collaboration among colleges, departments, research centers, MSU Extension, and external partners to enhance interdisciplinary research and innovation.
• →Guide strategic investments in research facilities, laboratories, greenhouses, farms, forestry facilities, and other research infrastructure to ensure long-term competitiveness.
• →Support faculty success, research excellence, and the development of future research leaders.
• →Promote a culture of collaboration, transparency, accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• →Represent AgBioResearch and Michigan State University at the state, national, and international levels.

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.

Michigan State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability status, ethnicity, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or weight.

Doctorate

• Earned doctorate in agriculture, natural resources, environmental sciences, life sciences, or a closely related field.
• Distinguished record of scholarship and achievement sufficient to merit appointment as a tenured professor in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University.
• Demonstrated record of senior leadership in higher education, agricultural research, natural resources, environmental sciences, or a related field.
• Experience leading large, complex organizations, multidisciplinary teams, and research portfolios.
• Experience overseeing significant financial, human, and physical resources, including budgets, research infrastructure, and sponsored research activities.
• Demonstrated success building partnerships with government agencies, industry, commodity organizations, foundations, and other stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and strategic leadership skills.

• Demonstrated success securing public and private investments in research and innovation.
• Experience advancing interdisciplinary research initiatives and collaborations across organizational boundaries.
• Deep appreciation for the land-grant mission and the role of research in addressing societal challenges and improving lives.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic priorities related to agriculture, food systems, natural resources, environmental sustainability, animal and plant health, or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated commitment to mentoring, leadership development, and fostering an environment that supports innovation and collaboration.
• Experience serving as a visible advocate for research organizations at the state, national, or international level.

• Letter of interest addressing the qualifications and leadership experiences relevant to the position.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Names and contact information for professional references (references will not be contacted without notice to the candidate).

Questions may be directed to the WittKieffer executive search firm at msuabrdirector@wittkiefer.com.

11/09/2026

www.canr.msu.edu/research

AgBioResearch was founded in 1888 as the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station and is part of a nationwide network established through the Hatch Act to support agricultural innovation and public impact. Today, AgBioResearch supports a broad portfolio of research focused on agriculture, food, health, natural resources, and the environment. More than 300 faculty researchers across seven Michigan State University colleges contribute to AgBioResearch programs through a network of on-campus laboratories, greenhouses, research facilities, and 14 off-campus research and extension centers located throughout Michigan. AgBioResearch works closely with MSU Extension, commodity organizations, industry partners, government agencies, and communities to develop science-based solutions that strengthen agriculture, advance environmental stewardship, improve food systems, and enhance quality of life.

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.

Advertised: Oct 7, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Oct 7, 2028 Eastern Daylight Time

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