Harris Search Associates Seeking Research Leader for Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute
November 2, 2026 – Harris Search Associates is currently seeking the inaugural director of research for Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute (TSI). Jeffrey Harris and Richard Skinner are leading the assignment. Working in close partnership with the TSI Director and other Institute leaders, the director of research serves as a catalyst to refine and evolve the TSI’s research strategy, focused on large-scale academic-industry-government private philanthropic partnerships that advance research, academic, and workforce objectives.
The director of research is responsible for planning and directing research activities and serving as the Institute’s principal investigator. With a primary focus on quantum photonics, AI sensors, and advanced semiconductor technologies, the director of research will harness the collaborative research strengths of the Texas A&M University System to identify external and internal research opportunities. The director is responsible for leading the identification, hiring, and onboarding of the requisite talent to achieve TSI research objectives.
The preferred candidate will be a proven research leader with demonstrated business acumen, adept at establishing relationships that galvanize a wide range of stakeholders from the academic research community to industry partners and investors around a shared vision of innovation to transform discoveries into commercial successes, expand revenue streams, and enhance economic development initiatives.
Candidates must have a PhD degree in an applicable field (e.g., physics, electrical engineering, materials science, or related field). They must have twelve years of related experience, including at least eight years in a research or industrial semiconductor setting. Candidates must also have strong strategic thinking, analytical, and decision-making skills; ability to translate institutional strategy into actionable programs.
They should have demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior executives, academic leaders, and industry collaborators, as well as demonstrated experience leading or managing teams, fostering collaboration, driving results, and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
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Created in response to federal and state-level CHIPS and Science Act legislation, the Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute represents an ambitious and transformational investment to advance research of semiconductor technologies and create a hub for expertise and resources that strengthen the semiconductor industry in this country.
Experienced Search Firm
Harris Search Associates, an IIC Partners member firm, is a global higher education executive search and board advisory consulting firm with 44 offices in 33 countries worldwide. The firm’s higher education executive search practice is focused on identifying and attracting leaders to support the growth of clients in the areas of research, science, engineering, academic medicine, and healthcare enterprises. Clients include leading universities, research parks, institutes, academic medical centers, and healthcare organizations driving global innovation and discovery. Founded in 1997, Harris Search Associates was modeled after the first premier management consulting firms, in addition to its Ohio headquarters, the firm has regional offices in San Francisco and Dallas.
Harris Search Associates Leading Senior Assignment for Carnegie Mellon University
Harris Search Associates has been retained by Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to lead in its search for newly created role of associate vice president for research computing and data (AVP RCD). Jeffrey Harris and Ed Christ are leading the assignment. This role offers a unique opportunity to elevate and transform CMU’s research computing ecosystem positioning it to better support groundbreaking research, enhances collaboration, and enables leading-edge innovation across the university’s research enterprise.
Mr. Harris is the founder of the firm and leads the higher education, academic medicine, and healthcare administration practices. Prior to establishing the firm in 1997, Mr. Harris worked five years for a leading retained executive search firm where he concentrated on senior assignments on behalf of leading engineering, research, and health sciences clients. He is the global leader of the IIC Partners higher education/academic medicine practice, and from 2010 to 2013, was appointed to the board of IIC Partners as vice chair for the Americas.
Dr. Skinner, senior consultant, served as president at two institutions in the U.S. and in Canada, after which he held the position of senior vice president, programs & research at the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) assisting the governing and coordinating boards of universities, colleges and affiliated foundations. Throughout his career, he has consulted widely with both public and independent colleges and universities, education ministries and institutions in the Bahamas, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Uganda, and China.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
