Senior Vice President for Research and Economic Development

Nova Southeastern University (NSU), a fast-moving, nationally recognized private R1 research university with emergent strengths across the health, natural, and physical sciences, seeks an entrepreneurial and visionary leader to serve as its next Senior Vice President for Research and Economic Development (SVPRED). Having just achieved R1 status, the new SVPRED will join the university at a critical inflection point and harness that momentum to truly shape the institutional research vision and strategy for the future, with a near-blank slate.

As the largest private research university in the state of Florida, NSU is a hub for real-world impact in the region. It is the largest educator of physicians in Florida and contributes more than $5 billion in economic influence across the state. The university also earned the Carnegie Foundation’s Community Engagement and Opportunity classifications, recognizing NSU’s dedication to outstanding student outcomes, which has made it a magnet for talented undergrad­uate and graduate students from around the world. NSU’s achievement of coveted R1 status in 2025 was driven by rapidly expanding research expenditures, which have more than doubled in the past five years, and strong growth in health sciences, marine and environmental sciences, biotechnology, behavioral sciences, and interdisciplinary areas. The SVPRED will lead the continued development of a vibrant research ecosystem that spans 12 colleges, NSU Health, the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center, and the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation. In FY24, NSU generated $60.63 million in research expenditures and managed $172 million in total active awards.

Reporting to the provost, the SVPRED plays a central role in advancing a holistic vision of NSU’s research mission, strengthening and diversifying its growing national research profile, and accelerating innovation and economic impact across the region and beyond. Given this moment of growth and opportunity, the SVPRED will continue to shift NSU’s research posture from its teaching-focused roots, defining and building the necessary operational and cultural infrastructure to support this transition to maximize the university’s immense potential. The new senior VP will leverage NSU’s powerful alumni network, its geographic and political advantages, and its disciplinary strengths to create new opportunities and incentive structures that support greater interdisciplinary collaboration and impact and attract new resources. The incoming SVPRED will find a campus community primed for growth and keen on collaboration, powerful leaders eager for partnership, and a dynamic South Florida ecosystem hungry for university investment and opportunity. The SVPRED has the opportunity to bring all parties together in novel ways to advance research, discovery, impact, and economic development to meet NSU’s grandest ambitions.

NSU has engaged Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to support the search committee in this important recruitment. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the search process is completed. Applications, inquiries, and nominations should be submitted confidentially below.

Vijay Saraswat is leading this search with Elizabeth Weithman and Elizabeth Arvanitis.