Working/Functional Title
Director, Reproductive and Developmental Sciences
Position Summary
The Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program (RDSP) at Michigan State University invites applications for the position of Director. This 12-month tenure-stream position will have an anticipated effort distribution of 30-50% administrative leadership, with the balance in research, teaching, and service, negotiable based on the candidate’s interests. The position may include joint appointments across departments or colleges, depending on the candidate’s expertise and interests. The successful candidate is expected to have attained academic credentials to enter the position at the rank of professor with tenure and will be expected to maintain an active, externally funded research program in their field of study while providing strategic leadership to enhance RDSP’s visibility and standing as an internationally recognized research center.
This position is supported through Michigan State University’s Global Impact Initiative, which is designed to address global grand challenges and national priorities through the creation of over 100 new faculty positions in some of the most promising and critical fields of research. With core funding from Michigan State University, the RDSP provides a committed environment for innovative research. The RDSP Director will be jointly appointed in an academic department as a full member of the MSU tenure-stream faculty.
Applicants should have an internationally recognized research program in reproductive and/or developmental sciences, with demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams, mentoring students and faculty, and fostering collaborations. A strong record of external research funding is essential, and experience securing support for institutional initiatives and partnerships with local, state, and national agencies will be viewed favorably.
Duties
The incumbent will establish and maintain strong partnerships and relationships within the RDSP faculty at Michigan State University and across the state, nation, and globe. The duties include (but are not limited to) working with university administration, administrative staff, and affiliated faculty and students to:
- Cultivate a comprehensive academic community within the university that encompasses scholars with interests in the fields of reproduction and development.
- Strengthen the research and educational missions of the center and university by seeking externally funded programmatic and research grants, particularly center-scale grants, and by facilitating research and training grants among faculty.
- Promote strategic engagement across regional institutions, including MSU campuses in East Lansing, Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Flint.
- Foster MSU’s statewide footprint with clinical partners, where appropriate.
- Support ongoing and foster new collaborations between faculty across colleges and departments at MSU to formalize this interdisciplinary focus in a manner that will accelerate scientific discovery and the quality of training of the next generation of scientists.
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 -Reproductive and/or Developmental Sciences
Minimum Requirements
- Eligible for appointment at the rank of full professor at MSU. Candidates from industry, federal agencies, or other non-academic organizations with equivalent experience are encouraged to apply.
- Research program of national and international stature and scholarly achievement in a field related to reproduction and developmental sciences, as demonstrated by a strong record of publication in peer-reviewed journals and other forms of communication.
- A strong history of success in grant writing and proposal development, coupled with a sustained track record of extramural funding.
- Evidence of leadership demonstrated through activities such as, but not limited to: organizing conferences or symposia, directing programs, serving in leadership roles in national professional societies, or serving in administrative roles.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience building or transitioning research programs to center-level operations, including securing center-level or multi-investigator grants.
- Evidence of engagement or collaboration in partnerships across departments and colleges, as well as with local, state, or national agencies.
- Excellent mentoring and interpersonal skills with evidence of effectiveness in guiding early-career scientists and faculty, as well as staff.
- Experience with training and mentoring programs that help advance research and teaching missions.
- Experience in outreach and communication of research in ways that reach partners, stakeholders, and the public.
Required Application Materials
- A cover letter summarizing qualifications for this position (2 pages, single spaced).
- A long-form current curriculum vitae.
Remaining documents combined into a single PDF:
- A statement of research interests (2 pages, single spaced).
- A statement of mentoring and teaching philosophy (1 page, single spaced).
- Vision statement that includes: leadership philosophy; experience in leading team-based projects or centers and working with partner organizations; and the applicant’s vision for leading an internationally recognized research center (2 pages, single spaced).
- Name and contact information for three professional references.
Special Instructions
Review of applications will begin January 16, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration, applications should be received by January 15, 2026. Applications must be submitted electronically to the Michigan State University Human Resources website http://careers.msu.edu.
Questions may be directed to the search chair, Dr. Margaret Petroff (petrof10@msu.edu).
Persons with disabilities have the right to request and receive reasonable accommodation.
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 information, including any information provided by the candidate, in determining whether the candidate is fit for 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.
Review of Applications Begins On
01/16/2026
Website
https://www.canr.msu.edu/rdsp/
Department Statement
Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program (RDSP):
Michigan State University boasts a distinguished history of excellence in the reproductive and developmental sciences. With over 30 faculty members, the RDSP community conducts pioneering research using a diverse range of animal models, clinical entities, and population-based human reproductive outcomes. The RDSP comprises an interactive group of faculty members from multiple colleges, including Human Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Natural Sciences, Engineering, and Education. These faculty members possess diverse expertise and research interests and are actively involved in basic and translational research. Michigan State University is dedicated to sustaining and advancing this robust research portfolio and is seeking a new director to elevate the program to new heights.
RDSP Vision: To be the leading center of excellence in the reproductive and developmental sciences, enhance research partnerships with other research institutions and international entities, and uphold the traditions of an exceptional land grant institution.
RDSP Mission: The primary goals of the RDSP are to facilitate and enhance ongoing collaborations among faculty members from various disciplines, including animal science, human medicine, veterinary medicine, genetics, epidemiology, and regenerative medicine. The program seeks to build on this unique transdisciplinary focus by formalizing a center to accelerate scientific discovery and train the next generation of reproductive and developmental scientists.
Additional information:
https://research.msu.edu/global-impact
https://msu.edu/
MSU 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.
