Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies

Portland State University (PSU), a public research university, seeks a collaborative and entrepreneurial leader to serve as the next Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies (VPRGS). Reporting directly to the President, the VPRGS will work closely with University leadership, faculty, and staff across a wide range of disciplines and with external stakeholders to expand PSU’s research capacity and activities, promote innovation, support student success through internship opportunities and workforce development, and create greater linkages to businesses and civic organizations to increase the impact of the University’s scholarly and creative work on a local, national, and global scale.

Over the last 76 years, PSU has developed into a nationally-recognized, urban-serving university and Oregon’s most diverse four-year academic institution, providing the Portland region with a highly educated population, substantial economic impact, and distinctive contributions to its culture. PSU is home to an engaged community of approximately 19,000 undergraduate students, 5,000 graduate students, and 5,400 staff and faculty dedicated to its motto, “Doctrina Urbi Serviat – Let Knowledge Serve the City.” PSU encompasses 10 schools and colleges: College of the Arts, College of Education, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Urban and Public Affairs, Graduate School, Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science, School of Business, School of Social Work, University Honors College, and the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health in partnership with Oregon Health and Science University. PSU is classified as a Carnegie Doctoral Research University with high research activity (R2) with $61.3M in research expenditures in 2022.

Located in the heart of Oregon’s economic and cultural center, PSU has a deep commitment to providing access to education to a broad spectrum of communities and applying cutting-edge research to addressing major challenges, including public health, climate change, resource management, and reckoning with injustice, discrimination, and racial inequality. Building upon its strengths, PSU forges effective partnerships within its community, the region, and beyond, serving as a nexus for interdisciplinary and experiential learning and research. Through this collaboration, PSU and its partners develop holistic and practical solutions to serve not only the citizens of the Portland area but also those living in the ever-increasing number of cities around the globe looking for innovative paths forward in growth management, sustainability, and equity. In recognition of its efforts, U.S. News and World Report has consistently ranked PSU among the most innovative national universities in its rankings.

The next VPRGS will have the opportunity to usher in a new era of innovation for RGS and PSU, building on a foundation of talented faculty, staff, and students to cultivate new partnerships internally and externally and ensure the infrastructure necessary to propel the research agenda forward. This will be under the direction of a new President, as current President Stephen Percy announced in May 2022 that he will be stepping down at the end of the 2022-2023 academic year before going on sabbatical and returning to the faculty. A search has been launched for his replacement, and the President-Elect will determine the hire for this search in Spring 2023.

The VPRGS will be a thought partner and strategic thinker who can address the following set of key opportunities and challenges:

• Create and communicate a vision and priorities to grow and support research, creative works, industry partnerships, DEI, and graduate studies at PSU
• Raise the awareness of research at PSU and expand external partnerships for improved research capacity and an even greater impact on workforce and economic development in Portland, across Oregon, and beyond 
• Foster partnerships across campus to promote interdisciplinary research and scholarly activity and a culture of shared investment to support growth
• Strengthen RGS by strengthening the team, determining priorities, and collaborating closely with the Colleges and Finance and Administration to develop a more integrated and seamless support structure

The search is currently accepting nominations and applications and will be continuing through the 2022-2023 academic year. Applications will be reviewed on a continuing basis until the position is filled. For best consideration, please apply by March 1, 2023. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be submitted below. Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.

Lindsay Gold is leading this search with Phuong Ta. 


Portland State University is an equal opportunity employer.