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Title: Associate Vice President for Research
Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: Vice President & Provost
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

Illinois State University, a nationally ranked public R2 university committed to teaching, scholarship, civic engagement, and inclusive excellence, invites applications and nominations for the position of associate vice president for Research (AVPR).
The University recognizes that our commitment to the inclusion of all students, faculty, and staff enriches the educational and cultural experiences of the entire campus and greater community. To that end, we invite applications from individuals who share these values and will work to advance the University’s continued commitment to equity, diversity, access, and belonging for all.

Reporting directly to the vice president for Academic Affairs and provost, the AVPR provides strategic leadership for the University’s research enterprise, cultivating an environment where scholarly inquiry and creative scholarship thrive and where discovery enhances the public good. The next associate vice president for Research will join Illinois State University at a pivotal time—when research, innovation, and creativity are increasingly central to defining the institution’s future. Guided by the University’s strategic plan, Excellence by Design, the AVPR will help shape a research enterprise that is collaborative in spirit, bold in ambition, and deeply connected to the people and communities it serves. This is an opportunity to lead within a university that values both excellence and belonging, where faculty and students alike are empowered to pursue discovery in ways that transform lives and strengthen society.

The ideal candidate for this role should be prepared for potential changes in their portfolio as the institution undergoes a time of transformation. The successful candidate will be a team player who is adaptable and can manage competing priorities effectively while demonstrating flexibility and a collaborative spirit. The next AVPR should be an individual who exhibits the collegiality, competence, and professionalism of a senior administrator in the Division of Academic Affairs. This individual should understand and be prepared to navigate the rapidly changing landscape of higher education, while contributing to the institution’s evolution and long-term success.

Additional Information

Searches - On-Campus Information | Provost | Illinois State

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$195 - 215,000 annual salary

Required Qualifications

1. A terminal degree from an accredited institution in a discipline related to the University’s curricula.
2. A record of outstanding scholarship and teaching, meriting appointment as professor with tenure within a department or school at Illinois State University.
3. A record of full-time administrative leadership experience in dynamic organizations, demonstrated through roles such as dean, associate dean, department chair, school director, or leadership positions within federal research agencies.
4. Knowledge of federal reporting requirements and policies that govern research accountability and guide the fiduciary requirements of grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts.
5. Demonstrated experience in securing funding or administering grant programs and skill in building relationships with funding agencies, corporations, foundations, and community partners to enhance the reach and relevance of Illinois State’s research enterprise.
6. A record of aligning fiscal resources with strategic priorities and demonstrated innovative fiscal management accomplishments in prior administrative roles.
7. A demonstrated ability and willingness to work well with others and to promote a community of inclusive excellence in a decentralized shared governance environment.

Preferred Qualifications

1. A capacity to bring people together across disciplines and divisions, cultivating shared ownership of institutional goals related to research and creative scholarship.
2. The ability to align investments, policies, and initiatives with both near-term opportunities and long-range institutional aspirations.
3. A leadership style grounded in openness, fairness, and respect for the contributions of all members of the university community.
4. A commitment to ensuring that research and creative scholarship opportunities, resources, and recognition are accessible to all faculty and student scholars, thereby enriching the diversity of thought and experience that drives discovery and creativity.
5. Demonstrated commitment to advancing Illinois State University’s core values: Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity.

Work Hours

Varies

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
1. Remain at a workstation for extended periods
2. Move about in various locations on and off campus as needed to complete day-to-day work
3. Effectively communicate on a daily basis

Proposed Starting Date

6/1/2026

Required Applicant Documents

Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Letter of Interest
Please provide a list of at least three professional references, including complete contact information for each.

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Greenwood Asher & Associates is assisting Illinois State University in this search. Applications and nominations are now being accepted. Inquiries and nominations should be directed to Julie Schrodt and/or Jeremy Duff from Greenwood Asher & Associates. We encourage applications from individuals with a broad range of research and scholarly leadership experience, including program officers from federal agencies and professionals from research organizations whose expertise can strengthen our external funding strategy and institutional research profile. Application materials should include the following:

• A letter of interest describing professional experiences related to the opportunities and requirements of the position and a vision for enhancing and supporting faculty, staff, and student scholarship during times of rapid change and transformation

• A current resume/curriculum vitae

Candidates should also provide the names and contact information for three references. References will not be contacted without prior knowledge and approval from candidates.

We strongly encourage submitting application materials as PDF attachments. The search will be conducted with a commitment to confidentiality for candidates until finalists are selected. Initial screening of applications will
begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. For best consideration, applications and nominations should be provided by January 21, 2026.

University Benefit Highlights:

- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Contact Information for Applicants

Julie Schrodt,
Senior Executive Search Consultant
Email: julieschrodt@greenwoodsearch.com

Jeremy Duff,
Vice President of Executive Search
Email: jeremyduff@greenwoodsearch.com

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.