RIO Leadership Searches

If you are driven to advance ground-breaking discovery, catalyze cross-disciplinary research, and strengthen Minnesota's innovation ecosystem, we invite you to explore open leadership positions within the Research and Innovation Office (RIO).

As the central hub driving the University of Minnesota’s $1+ billion research enterprise, RIO powers the institution's land-grant mission by supporting investigators, securing strategic partnerships, and translating research into real-world impact. Guided by the University's Elevate Extraordinary 2030 strategic roadmap, our leadership team is dedicated to expanding research excellence, scaling transformative discovery, and fostering an inclusive, collaborative community where groundbreaking ideas thrive.
 

Open Positions

Check each search page for the latest information and status updates.

Senior Associate Vice President for Research Development & Strategy

Reporting to the Vice President for Research and Innovation, this leader will help shape and advance the University’s research strategy by strengthening research development across disciplines, positioning faculty and teams for emerging funding opportunities, and building partnerships with federal agencies and other external organizations. The role will also provide strategic leadership as the University responds to a rapidly changing federal research and funding environment and advances the research and innovation priorities of Elevate Extraordinary 2030.

See job and application information for the Sr AVP for Research Development & Strategy position

Associate Vice President for Research Administration

Reporting to the Vice President for Research and Innovation, this senior administrator provides leadership and coordination across Sponsored Projects Administration, the Office of Cost Analysis, and the Office of Research Information Systems to support an integrated approach to research administration in alignment with the strategic direction of the Research and Innovation Office. A visionary leader with a commitment to the mission of land grant universities, the AVP will lead university-wide research administration, policy development, and compliance activities and provide research administration expertise to the University by serving on key institutional committees and working closely with members of the University community.

See job and application information for the AVP for Research Administration