Vice President for Research and Economic Development

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Brookings (SD); On-site; USD 175,157 - 214,080; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and flexible benefits

Retirement plans

Relocation benefits

Paid holidays

Job summary

South Dakota State University invites applications for the Vice President for Research and Economic Development. This senior leader will drive SDSU’s research strategy and external funding growth, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and regional economic impact.

The role oversees sponsored programs, research integrity, regulatory compliance, technology transfer, and partnerships with industry and government, reporting to the President as a member of the executive team.

Qualifications

• Earned terminal degree and evidence of scholarly, professional, or creative achievement sufficient to qualify for tenure as a full professor at SDState.
• Minimum 5 years of executive leadership experience managing a large research enterprise.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategies to increase external funding and research across disciplines.
• Lead the university's research strategic plan and growth in expenditures.
• Engage with federal and state entities to advocate for SDSU research priorities.
• Support faculty in securing grants and contracts through Sponsored Programs.
• Oversee IP management, technology transfer, and external partnerships.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic vision

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Public policy liaison

Education

Terminal degree (PhD/MD/EdD)

Tools

Grant management software

IP/process management

Job description

Posting Details

Posting Number: NFE03147P

Department: SDSU-Division of Research & Econ Dvlp

Physical Location of Position (City): Brookings

Working Title: Vice President for Research and Economic Development

Posting Date: 07/21/2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

First Consideration Date: 08/18/2026

South Dakota State University (SDState) invites applications andnominations to serve as its next Vice President for Research andEconomic Development ( VPRED ). The university seeks a visionary,dynamic, and strategic leader to lead our research strategy,fostering innovation, economic development, and interdisciplinarycollaboration.

Reporting directly to the President and serving on the university’sexecutive leadership team, the VPRED serves as the Chief ResearchOfficer. The VPRED oversees all sponsored programs, researchintegrity, regulatory compliance, technology transfer, and economicdevelopment partnerships.

This is an exciting opportunity to continue to build on the currentmomentum, leading SDState’s efforts to expand its researchenterprise while driving the economic vitality of South Dakota andthe region. SDState seeks an innovative leader with vision andstrong leadership skills, who establishes collaborativerelationships, fosters an environment in which faculty andstakeholders are engaged partners and communicates consistently andeffectively.

The position’s anticipated start date is January 4, 2027.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies to increase external funding,research, and creative activities across all disciplines;
• Develop and execute the university research strategic plan andagenda to include setting and implementing the vision for researchand creative activities, aiming for growth in research expenditures(e.g., aiming to attain R1 status and high-level researchfunding);
• Provide effective engagement with federal legislative andadministrative entities by representing SDSU in relationshipbuilding with South Dakota’s Congressional delegation and leadingSDSU engagement with federal agencies;
• Identify and promote research competitiveness by supportingfaculty in securing external funding and managing internal fundingopportunities;
• Support faculty in securing grants and contracts through theOffice of Sponsored Programs, as well as through collaboration withthe University Research Council;
• Establish partnerships and engage with state, regional andnational partners, including industry leaders, businesses, stateand federal government officials, and national policymakers tostrengthen economic development and research funding;
• Lead and facilitate university relationship development withthe private sector, both at organizational level and at theexpertise level;
• Manage the full life cycle of intellectual property (IP), frominvention disclosure to patenting, licensing, and collaborationwith the Office of General Counsel;
• Lead and assure university intellectual propertyidentification, protection and management; and
• Oversee the Division of Research and Economic Development,including recruiting, supervising, coaching and evaluatingpersonnel;
• Lead research compliance and safety by ensuring adherence topolicies regarding research integrity, including IRB, IACUC, andexport controls; and
• Manage research space and ensure compliance with safety andresearch integrity regulations.

About the University

As the state’s largest land-grant institution, SDState hasexperienced transformational research growth with researchexpenditures growing 47% to a record $94 million, and doctoralenrollment expanding significantly to position SDState closer toResearch 1 (R1) classification.

South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, mostcomprehensive higher education institution. As South Dakota’sMorrill Act land-grant university, SDState had a fall 2025enrollment of 12,139, with students coming from 48 states and 78countries. Students can choose from 90 majors, 35 specializations,107 minors, 39 master’s degree programs, 17 Ph.D. programs and 2professional doctorates. The university also offers courses atvarious off-campus sites as well as undergraduate and graduateprograms online through the Office of Continuing and DistanceEducation. The university is governed by the South Dakota Board ofRegents, which also has oversight of South Dakota’s five additionaluniversities within a unified system.

From its roots as a land-grant university, committed to thecreation of knowledge and educating all, established in Brookings,South Dakota in 1881, South Dakota State University today is avibrant institution. SDState is South Dakota’s first High ResearchActivity institution as classified by the Carnegie Foundation forthe Advancement of Teaching. It competes in Division I athleticsand is a member of the Big 12 conference for wrestling, theMissouri Valley Football Conference, and the Summit League for allother sports.

With exceptional alumni, community, and Foundation support forstudent scholarships and all aspects of university life, SDState isthe center of life in Brookings, a friendly and economicallyhealthy community of nearly 24,000. Brookings has outstandingschools, strong local economic research and development efforts,lovely parks, museums and well-attended cultural activities. Theuniversity fosters close working relationships with local schooldistricts, and there is a kindergarten on campus. Located onehour’s drive north of Sioux Falls, the state’s largest city,SDState and Brookings offer a very high quality of life in anengaged, active campus community. It is also notable that the stateof South Dakota has no personal income tax. Learn more aboutBrookings by visiting here.

Benefits

• medical, dental, and flexible benefits
• retirement plans
• compensation packages
• paid holidays
• vacation leave
• Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition forstate-sponsored courses at all State of South Dakota academicinstitutions
• We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6%matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sickleave each month, and eleven paid holidays
• Relocation benefits areavailable per university’s guidelines

Minimum Qualifications

• Earned terminal degree and evidence of scholarly, professional,or creative achievement sufficient to qualify for tenure as a fullprofessor at South Dakota State University;
• A minimum of 5 years of progressive, executive-level leadershipexperience managing a complex research enterprise within highereducation, government, or industry;
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days ofhire.

Preferred Qualifications

• A record of successful leadership with a knowledge of,appreciation for and commitment to the philosophy and programs of aland-grant institution;
• Ability to develop and implement a bold vision for the futureof research and economic development;
• A nimble strategist with a proven record of envisioning,developing and sustaining innovative programs that fosterexcellence and increased research across the fabric of theuniversity;
• An effective collaborator and consensus builder who cancommunicate with multiple constituencies and enable partnershipswith other colleges and universities, government agencies,stakeholders, and corporations;
• Capacity to identify, recruit and retain a strong staff;
• Demonstrated experience overseeing large, complex budgets,fiscal matters, strategic planning and personnel management;and
• Collaborative communicator with excellent interpersonal skillsand the proven ability to advocate effectively with universityleadership, industry, federal agencies, and other keypartners.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunitiesfor all to receive the benefit of and participate in education,research, and service and is especially interested in candidatesthat can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is anequal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receiveconsideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawfuldiscrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering ofall educational programs and employment. Arrangements foraccommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing [e-mail] .Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact:Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources,Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: [phone].

Contact Information

For questions on the position, contact Search Committee Chair,Provost Dennis Hedge at Dennis.Hedge @sdstate.edu or605-688-5042.

Working Conditions

Cognitive Requirements

Analyzing, Comprehend, Frequent Change, Intense CustomerInteraction, Logic, Memory, Multiple Priorities, Multiple Stimuli,Pace-fast, Perform calculations, Reading, Reasoning, VerbalCommunication, Written Communication

Protective Clothing/Equipment

Physical Requirements

Driving

Sensory Requirements

Working Conditions & Exposures

Working Environment

Office Environment

Additional Information

The starting salary for this position is $194,619, commensuratewith qualifications and experience.

Duration of the Term: 12 months

Appointment Percent: 100

Appointment Type: Regular

Faculty Status: Yes

Scope of Search: External (includes Internal)

This position requires: Valid Drivers License