Northwestern University Has Launched Search for Research Lead

The university is seeking a new vice president for research following significant structural changes to the office.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in People

Isometric editorial illustration of a stone pillar, bronze emblem, and leather-bound notebook, representing academic research leadership structure. — Northwestern University has launched a formal search for a new vice president for research to guide the school's restructured research office. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Northwestern University has initiated a formal search for a new vice president for research. The effort comes as the institution restructures its Office for Research following a year in which research funding exceeded $1 billion.

Why it matters

The leadership search aims to solidify the university’s structural realignment and bolster its ongoing relationship with federal funding agencies. This move follows a period of growth that saw the university hit a significant research funding milestone.

Northwestern University surpassed $1 billion in total research funding during the fiscal year that concluded in August 2026. The institution continues to search for a new vice president to lead these operations after the previous head stepped down.

The players

Mung Chiang

Mung Chiang serves as the President of Purdue University, an institution known for its focus on engineering and technological research.

Erik Luijten

Erik Luijten is a professor and administrator at Northwestern University who is co-leading the search committee for the new vice president.

Sumit Dhar

Sumit Dhar is currently serving as the interim vice president for research at Northwestern University.

Eric Perreault

Eric Perreault is the former vice president for research at Northwestern who is transitioning to lead the Morgridge Institute for Research.

Lisa Dhar

Lisa Dhar is leading the newly formed Industry Partnership and Economic Development unit at Northwestern on an interim basis.

The details

The university implemented structural changes on September 15, 2026, which included renaming roles for Brian Mustanski and Enectali Figueroa-Feliciano and launching an Industry Partnership and Economic Development unit led by interim head Lisa Dhar. The new appointee will report directly to President Mung Chiang and Provost Erik Luijten, with the search committee co-led by Luijten and Amanda Distel.

Eric Perreault stepped down as vice president in April 2026.
Research funding exceeded $1 billion in August 2026.
Northwestern announced the search for a new VP on September 11, 2026.
Structural changes to the Office for Research became effective September 15, 2026.

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Market Landscape

The leadership transition at Northwestern University mirrors the executive recruitment patterns seen at the Morgridge Institute for Research. The departure of the former vice president to lead that institute highlights the high mobility of senior research administrators between top hubs.

The structural changes and leadership search at the Office for Research may impact faculty grant support and industry partnership opportunities. Students and researchers can expect continued focus on maintaining the university's $1 billion research funding trajectory.

The takeaway

The ongoing search for a new vice president is a critical step for Northwestern as it navigates a post-restructuring phase. Maintaining high-level research funding remains a central priority for the university's incoming leadership.