Director Innovation Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and the Van Andel Institute (VAI) invite applications for a Full Professor and Inaugural Executive Director to lead the newly established AI Research and Innovation Institute (AIRAI), a strategic partnership between GVSU's College of Computing and the Van Andel Institute.
The Executive Director will serve as the founding scientific and strategic leader of the AI Research and Innovation Institute, guiding its growth into a globally recognized center of excellence in artificial intelligence. The Full Professor position will be housed in GVSU's College of Computing, with an adjunct appointment at the Van Andel Institute. Tenure may be offered at hire based on the candidate's qualifications. The Executive Director reports to the Dean of the GVSU College of Computing.
The successful candidate will be an accomplished scholar and visionary leader with the ability to inspire researchers across disciplines, attract major investments, and build high-impact collaborations spanning academia, industry, healthcare, and government. We welcome candidates with deep expertise in machine learning (theory or applied), AI systems and infrastructure, computer vision, NLP or multimodal AI, data science and large-scale AI. We also seek candidates working at the intersection of AI and computational biology/bioinformatics, genomics, epigenomics, systems biology, clinical and/or translational research.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a bold long-term vision for the institute

• Build internationally visible research programs in AI and AI-driven discovery

• Recruit and mentor world-class faculty, researchers, and doctoral students

• Position GVSU and VAI as global leaders in AI research and innovation

• Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, entrepreneurship, and societal impact

• Advance the translation of AI discoveries into real-world solutions that improve human health and well-being

Institute Leadership

• Define and execute an ambitious vision for a world-class AI research and innovation institute

• Lead a multidisciplinary research enterprise spanning AI, computing, and life sciences

• Establish AIRAI as a nationally and internationally recognized center of excellence

• Shape institute strategy, governance, and long-term sustainability

• Cultivate a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, and inclusion

• Represent the institute globally through partnerships, conferences, and strategic initiatives

Research Development

• Build externally funded research programs in Core AI (ML, systems, multimodal AI) and AI applications (biomedical, life sciences, health, and beyond)

• Secure funding from NSF, NIH (AI for biomedical research), industry and foundations

Faculty & Team Building

Recruit and develop exceptional talent across:

• Foundational AI

• AI systems and infrastructure

• AI + biomedical sciences

• AI + health

• AI + emerging domains

Build a vibrant intellectual community that encourages:

• Scientific excellence

• Interdisciplinary collaboration

• Entrepreneurship and technology transfer

• Responsible and human-centered AI innovation

Partnerships & Ecosystem Building

• Strengthen collaboration with Van Andel Institute

• Build partnerships with healthcare systems, biotech and pharmaceutical companies, and AI and technology organizations

Required Qualifications and Education

• Ph.D. and 10+ years of experience leading research teams in AI or related areas

• Demonstrated interest in advancing AI research in biomedical, life sciences, or societal challenges

• Record of excellence consistent with appointment at the rank of Full Professor

• Strong research record in AI, machine learning, or related areas

• Demonstrated success in securing external funding

• Experience leading research initiatives or teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated success building or scaling research centers, institutes, or large collaborative initiatives

• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams across institutions or sectors

• Record of mentoring faculty, post-docs and graduate students toward research excellence

• Experience translating research into societal, or economic impact

• Evidence of national or international scientific leadership

• Vision for shaping the future of AI research and graduate education

How to Apply:

Applicants should submit:

• Curriculum Vitae

• Statement of research

• Statement of leadership vision (AI Research and Innovation Institute + Ph.D. program)

• Complete contact information for 3 references

The system will allow you to attach up to 5 documents electronically.

If you have questions about the position or the posting, please contactAlison Hodgson hodgsoal@gvsu.edu. If you need technical assistance, please contact Human Resources athro@gvsu.edu.

Application Deadline:

Candidate review will begin the week of September 14, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. Thispostingmay be closed at any time at the discretion of the University.

About Grand Rapids and the Medical Mile

Grand Rapids is rapidly establishing itself as a national center for healthcare innovation, life sciences, and advanced technologies. Anchored by the internationally recognized Medical Mile, the region hosts a unique concentration of research institutes, healthcare systems, entrepreneurs, and industry partners committed to accelerating scientific discovery and improving human health. This dynamic ecosystem creates exceptional opportunities to translate AI breakthroughs into real-world impact, positioning the AI Research and Innovation Institute at the nexus of artificial intelligence, biomedical innovation, and economic development.

Located on the banks of the Grand River, Grand Rapids offers all the big-city excitement you'd expect from a million-resident metropolis, featuring hundreds of restaurants and nightspots, theaters, museums, sports and concerts. The safe and clean downtown is surrounded by an eclectic mix of walkable neighborhoods and natural areas.

About College of Computing at GVSU

The College of Computing at GVSU is a fast-growing, forward-looking academic unit built on the principle that computing is a shared infrastructure across all disciplines. Over the past few years, the College has experienced significant and accelerating growth in research capacity and activity, including:

• Strategic hiring of AI-focused faculty across multiple domains

• Expansion of externally funded research in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and applied computing

• Development of interdisciplinary research initiatives aligned with industry and societal needs

• Increasing engagement with federal agencies, industry partners, and regional innovation ecosystems

This momentum reflects a deliberate shift toward becoming a research-active, impact-driven computing college, with growing expectations and support for:

• Grant-funded research and scholarly output

• Interdisciplinary collaboration (Computing + X)

• Translational and applied innovation

The launch of the Ph.D. in Computing marks a historic milestone and further accelerates this trajectory, positioning the College as a key driver of AI research and talent development in the region.

About the Ph.D. in Computing

In partnership with VAI, the institute will leverage:

• Advanced computing and data infrastructure

• World-class biomedical and life science research environments

The Ph.D. in Computing is:

• Fully funded program

• Providing deep training in core AI and machine learning

• Offering pathways into AI applications in biomedical and other high-impact domains

• Including co-advising across institutions

About Van Andel Institute (VAI)

Van Andel Institute is a world-class independent biomedical research and science education organization committed to improving the health and enhancing the lives of current and future generations. The Institute combines significant internal investment, advanced technological platforms, and a culture of collaboration to enable high-impact discovery, specifically with strengths in:

• Cancer biology and epigenetics

• Neurodegenerative disease research

• Metabolism and Nutritional Programming

• Structural biology and advanced imaging (e.g., cryo-EM)

• World-class Core Technologies and Services.

VAI's research impact is reflected in independent rankings: in 2026, VAI ranked No. 3 among North American nonprofit research organizations for biological sciences on the 2026 Nature Index Research Leaders list.

VAI brings:

• World-class research faculty and laboratories

• A strong track record of high-impact scientific discovery

• A graduate education ecosystem in biomedical sciences

• A culture of innovation, collaboration, and scientific excellence

This partnership enables a rare integration of:

• Advanced AI and computational methods (GVSU)

• Cutting-edge biomedical research (VAI)

Vision for the AI Research and Innovation Institute

The AI Research and Innovation Institute aspires to become a world-class destination for artificial intelligence research and education by:

• Advancing foundational AI and next-generation computational methods

• Accelerating discoveries in biomedical and life sciences

• Creating transformative AI solutions for society

• Training the next generation of AI scientists and innovators

• Catalyzing economic development and entrepreneurship in the region and beyond

The institute will leverage the complementary strengths of GVSU's rapidly growing computing ecosystem and VAI's internationally recognized biomedical research enterprise to create an unprecedented environment for AI-driven discovery.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.Seewww.gvsu.edu/equalopportunity/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).

Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.