Careers @ MSU

The NSI will serve as a premier hub for collaborative engagement among academia, federal agencies, national laboratories, industry, and defense-oriented organizations. Through transformative research, talent development, and technology transition, the initiative will pursue high-impact opportunities aligned with critical national priorities. This is a rare opportunity to shape and lead a mission-driven organization from its formative stage into a nationally recognized center of excellence. 

The long-term vision for NSI is to evolve into a nationally recognized federally-supported National Security research enterprise with multiple core competencies in the security sector. MSU seeks an accomplished, visionary, and entrepreneurial research leader to serve as the Founding Director of the NSI. The primary responsibility for this position and the initial focus will be to lead sponsored projects and build a team of researchers around Applied Artificial Intelligence. Specifically, a robust program is sought from the areas of Autonomous Rapid Manufacturing, Cybersecurity and Resilient Infrastructure, and Data Analytics and Decision Intelligence for Defense Systems. The position will be a fixed-term academic appointment with rank commensurate with experience. It is expected that the internal funding support for the establishment of the NSI will become an organization sustained by sponsored research.  

The Founding Director will serve as the strategic leader of the MSU NSI, responsible for establishing its vision, research directions, and external partnerships. Reporting to the Executive Director of the University Research Organization (URO), the Founding Director will work closely with university leadership, the NSI Governing Board, faculty leaders, federal sponsors, and industry stakeholders to advance NSI’s mission and strategic growth. The successful candidate will bring a distinguished record of technical leadership in applied AI for national security-related research, innovation, and partnership development, along with the strategic insight and credibility necessary to position MSU as a trusted partner to federal agencies and national security stakeholders. 

Key Responsibilities:

Research Strategy and Program Development (40%) 

• Lead the development of high-impact, interdisciplinary research programs in applied AI aligned with national security priorities and the topics outlined above. 

• Guide and support proposal development efforts for large-scale federal funding opportunities. 

• Establish and oversee seed funding initiatives designed to catalyze innovative and high-risk/high-reward research. 

• Promote the translation of research discoveries into deployable technologies, operational capabilities, and strategic solutions. 

• Facilitate collaboration across MSU colleges, departments, and research centers to strengthen institutional competitiveness. 

• Ensure effective execution, evaluation, and continuous improvement of NSI-sponsored programs and initiatives. 

Strategic Leadership and Initiative Development (35%) 

• Develop and execute a bold strategic vision for NSI that aligns with Michigan State University’s institutional priorities and evolving national security objectives. 

• Build and scale NSI into a nationally recognized center known for innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and mission impact. 

• Establish the organizational structure, governance processes, operational framework, and culture necessary for long-term success. 

• Lead strategic planning initiatives in partnership with the VPRI, Governing Board, and Faculty Advisory Board. 

• Identify emerging national security challenges and position NSI to respond proactively through targeted research and partnership opportunities. 

• Foster a culture of excellence, innovation, accountability, and collaboration across the NSI. 

• Recruit, develop, and mentor high-performing research, technical, and administrative personnel. 

• Oversee financial stewardship, budget planning, and sustainable growth strategies for the NSI. 

External Engagement and Partnership Development (15%) 

• Serve as the principal representative and spokesperson for NSI with federal agencies, national laboratories, industry partners, academic institutions, and philanthropic organizations. 

• Cultivate and strengthen strategic partnerships with the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Energy (DoE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), intelligence community organizations, and related federal entities. 

• Advance MSU’s national reputation and visibility in the national security and defense innovation ecosystem. 

• Develop and sustain partnerships that support sponsored research, workforce development, technology transition, and commercialization initiatives. 

• Engage with policymakers, senior government officials, and industry executives to identify collaborative opportunities and strategic priorities. 

• Position NSI to compete successfully for major federal research centers, consortia, and center-level funding opportunities. 

Education, Workforce Development, and Outreach (5%) 

• Develop educational and workforce development programs that prepare students and early-career researchers for leadership roles in the national security workforce. 

• Expand experiential learning opportunities, including internships, fellowships, workshops, and engagement with government and industry partners. 

• Promote interdisciplinary learning and research experiences that strengthen talent pipelines into national security careers. 

• Advance outreach initiatives that increase awareness of national security challenges and career pathways. 

Governance, Compliance, and Research Security (5%) 

• Partner with AVP for Research Security to ensure all NSI activities comply with university policies, federal regulations, export control requirements, and MSU research security standards. 

• Oversee NSI’s secure research operations in coordination with AVP for Research Security and foster a culture of ethical conduct and responsible research practices. 

• Ensure appropriate governance structures, risk management practices, and compliance processes are developed to support NSI’s research mission 

• Provide regular updates and strategic reports to university leadership, the Governing Board, and Advisory Board regarding the NSI performance, impact metrics, and growth opportunities. 

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.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Advanced degree (doctorate or equivalent professional degree) in a relevant discipline. 

• Experience leading or managing DARPA-style, ARPA-E, IARPA, or similarly mission-focused research and development programs. 

• Existing professional relationships across DoD, DoE, DHS, intelligence community organizations, and/or national laboratories. 

• Experience in technology transition, commercialization, or dual-use innovation programs. 

• Familiarity with classified research environments and secure facilities operations. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Deep understanding of the national security ecosystem in the applied AI area, for example, federal R&D priorities, acquisition pathways, defense innovation initiatives, and policy trends. 

• Strategic and entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to build and lead transformative initiatives. 

• Exceptional leadership, organizational, and team-building capabilities. 

• Outstanding communication and relationship-management skills with the ability to engage effectively across technical, academic, government, and executive audiences. 

• Strong financial and operational management skills. 

• Demonstrated ability to lead interdisciplinary teams and manage complex stakeholder relationships. 

• Knowledge of export control regulations, research security compliance, and federal contracting requirements. 

• High degree of integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment.