Description

Overview: 

Michigan State University has completed construction on the Center for Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy (CIIGT) housed within the Department of Radiology in East Lansing. This strategically designed 13,000 sq ft research space has specialized facilities for large animal (e.g. pig, sheep), companion animal, and human research and clinical trials. The centerpiece of this facility is a Siemens Biograph One PET/MRI system, slated for installation in Fall 2025 adjacent to our cyclotrons and radiopharmacies. MSU Radiology now seeks a visionary and accomplished scientist with a strong record of innovation and successful collaboration to serve as our Inaugural Director of the CIIGT.  This leader will be charged with fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across the many Colleges, Institutes, and Programs at MSU, including our three medical colleges, the College of Natural Science, and MSU’s Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB). Additional clinical and basic scientific collaboration with our institutional partners from the Henry Ford Health campus will add depth and scope to the position with anticipated state-wide impact.

This Center is an inspiring and tangible manifestation of MSU’s One Team, One Health initiative envisioned to bring our strengths in human, animal and environmental health together to become a national powerhouse of healing. The CIIGT provides a collaborative nexus of innovation uniquely enabling scientists to leverage human and large animal models and reciprocal translation to the benefit of all life. Powered by a cutting-edge imaging system, CIIGT will lead a dynamic PET and MRI research programs, advancing both methodological innovation and translational applications across species. The Inaugural Director will play a central role in shaping and executing this vision by building research capacity, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and guiding the scientific direction of CIIGT’s imaging initiatives.

Role and Responsibilities:

The inaugural Director of CIIGT will have the rare opportunity to shape and lead a cutting-edge research hub poised to make significant contributions to the field of imaging sciences. In addition to directing CIIGT, the successful candidate will bring an established, externally funded research program that aligns with the Center’s mission and enhances its scientific profile. The Director will also lead the recruitment and selection of two additional faculty members whose research programs will complement and advance the scientific mission of the CIIGT. As the Center grows, the Director will expand the administrative staff at the facility, in partnership with department and college leadership. 

The successful applicant will be appointed full-time as a tenure track Associate or Full Professor in the Department of Radiology reporting to the Radiology Department Chair (or jointly with other departments) and a dual report to the CIIGT Governing Board. The anticipated administrative component will range from 30-50%, with expectation that the Director will have an active research program.

Your leadership will be pivotal in: 

• Establishing and Communicating a Strategic Plan: Develop and implement a forward-thinking strategy that aligns with the University’s goals and positions CIIGT as a global leader in imaging and image-guided therapies. 
• Driving Innovative Research: Oversee and promote groundbreaking research initiatives that push the boundaries of translational imaging, particularly in large animal models and clinical trials. 
• Leading by Example Through Research Excellence: Maintain an active, externally funded research program that complements CIIGT’s translational imaging focus. The successful candidate will be an accomplished investigator whose work enhances the Center’s scientific impact and collaborative potential.
• Building Collaborative Networks: Forge strong, interdisciplinary partnerships across the University and with external stakeholders, fostering a collaborative environment that accelerates innovation and clinical translation. 
• Building Academic-Industrial Partnerships including with Siemens Healthineers who are our anchor partners in the foundational NIH grant that brought this facility to our campus.
• Mentoring the Next Generation of Scientists: Inspire and mentor the students who reside at the core of our mission, faculty, and researchers, cultivating a culture of excellence, respect for all, and intellectual curiosity within the center. 
• Enhancing the Facility’s Capabilities: Lead the development and enhancement of the center’s infrastructure which includes yet to be assigned imaging suites (former MR/CT/PET-CT spaces), ensuring it is equipped with the latest technologies and methodologies to support cutting-edge research. 
• Sustainable Fiscal Management of the Center: Establish and implement financial strategies and operational practices that support the long-term viability, growth, and adaptability of CIIGT.

Why Join Us: 

The Center for Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy (CIIGT) represents the culmination of more than a decade of planning to harness the full potential of Michigan State University’s unique research and clinical assets. With two co-located medical colleges, a college of nursing, a college of veterinary medicine, and nationally recognized programs in animal and agricultural sciences and our world-renowned Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, combined with established and merging clinical partnerships across the state, CIIGT stands positioned as a truly distinctive research environment, unlike any other in the world.

As the Inaugural Director, you will have a rare opportunity to shape the future of imaging science and image-guided therapies in a setting that bridges human and animal health, academic medicine, and advanced technology. At Michigan State University Radiology, you’ll join a dynamic academic community committed to real-world impact through interdisciplinary research, innovation, and collaboration.

Applicant Instructions: 

Please include the following: 

• CV  
• A letter of interest that details your interest in the position, showcasing unique qualifications, and aligning this experience with your career objectives (maximum 3 pages).

Proof of license and/or certifications may be requested during the interview process. Three professional references may be requested and contacted at a mutually agreed upon time during the interview process. 

Interested applicants should apply at https://careers.msu.edu/jobs/inaugural-center-director-asc-full-prof-tenure-east-lansing-michigan-united-states 

Application review begins February 2, 2026; Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. 
 
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.  

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Taylor Pillar, MHRLR, SHRM-CP 

MSU Radiology HR Administrator 

jollifft@msu.edu 

517-884-3271 

Requirements

Required Qualifications: 

• Terminal Degree: MD, DO, DVM, PhD, or equivalent in a relevant field. Work eligibility requirements for DOs, MDs, and DVMs include state licensure and board certification or attainment of such certification within one year of appointment. For other roles where licensure is required for research activities, candidates must hold or obtain the appropriate license within one year of appointment.  
• Leadership Experience: Demonstrated success in leading and managing large clinical and/or translational research labs, research programs or enterprises.
• Scholarship Excellence: Proven track record of scholarly achievements, evidenced by active grants from federal or other funding agencies and recent publications in peer-reviewed journals and/or industry reports.
• Interpersonal Skills: Proven ability to engage and collaborate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate a compelling vision and engage audiences at all levels. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Significant clinical, academic, or industry leadership experience in areas such as translational science, image-guided therapies, and/or clinical trials. 
• Experience with radioisotopes for imaging and/or therapy and/or advanced MRI methodologies.