South Dakota State University (SDState) invites applications and nominations to serve as its next Vice President for Research and Economic Development (VPRED). The university seeks a visionary, dynamic, and strategic leader to lead our research strategy, fostering innovation, economic development, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Reporting directly to the President and serving on the university’s executive leadership team, the VPRED serves as the Chief Research Officer. The VPRED oversees all sponsored programs, research integrity, regulatory compliance, technology transfer, and economic development partnerships.
This is an exciting opportunity to continue to build on the current momentum, leading SDState’s efforts to expand its research enterprise while driving the economic vitality of South Dakota and the region. SDState seeks an innovative leader with vision and strong leadership skills, who establishes collaborative relationships, fosters an environment in which faculty and stakeholders are engaged partners and communicates consistently and effectively.
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 and agenda to include setting and implementing the vision for research and creative activities, aiming for growth in research expenditures (e.g., aiming to attain R1 status and high-level research funding);
- Provide effective engagement with federal legislative and administrative entities by representing SDSU in relationship building with South Dakota’s Congressional delegation and leading SDSU engagement with federal agencies;
- Identify and promote research competitiveness by supporting faculty in securing external funding and managing internal funding opportunities;
- Support faculty in securing grants and contracts through the Office of Sponsored Programs, as well as through collaboration with the University Research Council;
- Establish partnerships and engage with state, regional and national partners, including industry leaders, businesses, state and federal government officials, and national policymakers to strengthen economic development and research funding;
- Lead and facilitate university relationship development with the private sector, both at organizational level and at the expertise level;
- Manage the full life cycle of intellectual property (IP), from invention disclosure to patenting, licensing, and collaboration with the Office of General Counsel;
- Lead and assure university intellectual property identification, protection and management; and
- Oversee the Division of Research and Economic Development, including recruiting, supervising, coaching and evaluating personnel;
- Lead research compliance and safety by ensuring adherence to policies regarding research integrity, including IRB, IACUC, and export controls; and
- Manage research space and ensure compliance with safety and research integrity regulations.
About the University
As the state’s largest land-grant institution, SDState has experienced transformational research growth with research expenditures growing 47% to a record $94 million, and doctoral enrollment expanding significantly to position SDState closer to Research 1 (R1) classification.
South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive higher education institution. As South Dakota’s Morrill Act land-grant university, SDState had a fall 2025 enrollment of 12,139, with students coming from 48 states and 78 countries. Students can choose from 90 majors, 35 specializations, 107 minors, 39 master’s degree programs, 17 Ph.D. programs and 2 professional doctorates. The university also offers courses at various off-campus sites as well as undergraduate and graduate programs online through the Office of Continuing and Distance Education. The university is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents, which also has oversight of South Dakota’s five additional universities within a unified system.
From its roots as a land-grant university, committed to the creation of knowledge and educating all, established in Brookings, South Dakota in 1881, South Dakota State University today is a vibrant institution. SDState is South Dakota’s first High Research Activity institution as classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. It competes in Division I athletics and is a member of the Big 12 conference for wrestling, the Missouri Valley Football Conference, and the Summit League for all other sports.
With exceptional alumni, community, and Foundation support for student scholarships and all aspects of university life, SDState is the center of life in Brookings, a friendly and economically healthy community of nearly 24,000. Brookings has outstanding schools, strong local economic research and development efforts, lovely parks, museums and well-attended cultural activities. The university fosters close working relationships with local school districts, and there is a kindergarten on campus. Located one hour’s drive north of Sioux Falls, the state’s largest city, SDState and Brookings offer a very high quality of life in an engaged, active campus community. It is also notable that the state of South Dakota has no personal income tax. Learn more about Brookings by visiting here.
Benefits
South Dakota State University offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.
Minimum Qualifications
- Earned terminal degree and evidence of scholarly, professional, or creative achievement sufficient to qualify for tenure as a full professor at South Dakota State University;
- A minimum of 5 years of progressive, executive-level leadership experience managing a complex research enterprise within higher education, government, or industry;
- Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
Preferred Qualifications
- A record of successful leadership with a knowledge of, appreciation for and commitment to the philosophy and programs of a land-grant institution;
- Ability to develop and implement a bold vision for the future of research and economic development;
- A nimble strategist with a proven record of envisioning, developing and sustaining innovative programs that foster excellence and increased research across the fabric of the university;
- An effective collaborator and consensus builder who can communicate with multiple constituencies and enable partnerships with 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 skills and the proven ability to advocate effectively with university leadership, industry, federal agencies, and other key partners.
Application Process
This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, resume, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDState Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.
Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.
SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.
